UFC 156: Top 25 Pound-for-Pound Fighters in the UFC

Fans love to speculate about the often-disputed MMA pound-for-pound rankings. Many names are thrown around as to who belong in which spot.

Following UFC 156, a big shakeup in the pound-for-pound rankings were seen. Alistair Overeem and Rashad Evans effectively have been shown the door out of the rankings, while others have moved up the ladder.

Here are the top 25 pound-for-pound fighters currently in the UFC.

25. John Dodson

Last fight: Unanimous decision loss to Demetrious Johnson  

Next Fight: N/A

Despite his recent loss against flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson, John Dodson remains one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Whether he fights at flyweight or bantamweight, Dodson is extremely difficult to fight. His quickness, athleticism and striking make him a threat at both divisions.

24. Alexander Gustafsson

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Mauricio Rua

Next Fight: Gegard Mousasi at UFC on Fuel 9

Alexander Gustafsson is quickly on the rise, and he has a chance to make a move further up the rankings when he fights on his home soil in a couple of months.

His win over Mauricio Rua really turned some heads. With crisp boxing and a solid ground game, he is a very tough out for anybody at 205 pounds.

23. Chris Weidman

Last fight: Knockout win vs. Mark Munoz

Next Fight: N/A

Chris Weidman has not fought in a while due to a knee injury, but previous to that, he was the best prospect in all of the UFC.

World-class wrestling skills have mixed well with developing boxing to make him a dangerous man. A bout with Anderson Silva is one fans are craving when he returns.

22. Ian McCall

Last fight: Unanimous decision loss to Joseph Benavidez 

Next Fight: N/A

Ian McCall lost Saturday night, but there is no denying that he is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters around. His success at bantamweight and flyweight prove that.

He had his moments against Benavidez, especially in the second round of their fight. He really needs to improve, though, should he wish to challenge for a championship in the future.

21. Anthony Pettis

Last fight: Knockout win vs. Donald Cerrone

Next Fight: N/A

Anthony Pettis may have forced the UFC's hand when he defeated Donald Cerrone in quick fashion recently. The former WEC champion has been campaigning for a title shot since his transfer to the UFC.

His striking and improving ground game have made him a scary opponent. We will see if a Benson Henderson rematch is in the cards.

20. Rory MacDonald

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. BJ Penn 

Next Fight: Carlos Condit at UFC 158

Young Rory MacDonald is a star on the rise, as the teammate of Georges St-Pierre has run through the competition at 170 pounds. 

His striking and wrestling have looked superior to all who have challenged him. He may be a staple of the pound-for-pound rankings for years to come.

19. Vitor Belfort

Last fight: Knockout win vs. Michael Bisping

Next Fight: N/A

Whether he fights at middleweight or light heavyweight, Vitor Belfort is a very dangerous man. In fact, I would argue that he is the top contender at 185 pounds.

Belfort is a long-time veteran of the sport who is still dangerous in his older age. Hand speed, power and well-roundedness are what separate him from the rest of the division.

18. Johny Hendricks

Last fight: Knockout win vs. Martin Kampmann

Next Fight: Jake Ellenberger at UFC 158

Johny Hendricks is the hottest thing at 170 pounds, using his powerful striking and elite wrestling skills to overwhelm opponents.

Considered by most to be the real No. 1 contender at welterweight, he must instead face Jake Ellenberger to get his title shot. If he masters that challenge, he should secure a date with the champion.

17. Daniel Cormier

Last fight: Knockout win vs. Dion Staring

Next Fight: Frank Mir at UFC on Fox 7

Strikeforce import Daniel Cormier has looked nothing short of impressive since gaining the spotlight at heavyweight. Now it's time to turn his attention to the UFC heavyweight division.

Frank Mir is on his radar now, as the two will finally meet in a couple months. If he can win that fight, it would be hard to argue a title shot against his teammate Cain Velasquez, though he likely wouldn't take it.

16. Lyoto Machida

Last fight: Knockout win vs. Ryan Bader

Next Fight: Dan Henderson at UFC 157

Former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida is one of the best strikers in MMA today. His unorthodox karate style has confused and devastated opponents for years. 

He has a chance to earn a rematch with Jon Jones at UFC 157. However, he encounters the iron-jawed Dan Henderson in that fight.

15. Gray Maynard

Last fight: Split decision win over Clay Guida

Next Fight: N/A

Gray Maynard may be a couple of fights from a title shot just because he failed in two separate attempts against Frankie Edgar. 

That said, he is probably the second best lightweight in the world.

He has become a proficient power puncher, which has nicely complimented his wrestling. Expect him to work his way back to the title picture.

14. Dan Henderson

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Mauricio Rua

Next Fight: Lyoto Machida at UFC 157

Dan Henderson has been on the shelf for a while now, but he has the chance to earn a title shot at Jon Jones with a win at UFC 157.

One-punch knockout power and an iron chin have been vital to his success. That also may be key in offing Lyoto Machida in his next outing.

13. Carlos Condit

Last fight: Unanimous decision loss vs. Georges St-Pierre

Next Fight: Rory MacDonald at UFC 158

A loser in his recent title bout with Georges St-Pierre, Carlos Condit is still a pound-for-pound player. He was competitive in his bout with the welterweight king and will continue to be a key component of the 170-pound division.

He is a striker with a good jiu-jitsu game off his back. He must back off a former adversary in Rory MacDonald in his next outing in Montreal.

12. Joseph Benavidez

Last fight: Unanimous decision in vs. Ian McCall 

Next Fight: N/A

Joseph Benavidez may have earned a title shot and rematch against Demetrious Johnson with Saturday's win over Ian McCall.

Benavidez's striking looked much improved, which can be accredited to new Team Alpha Male coach Duane Ludwig. That will be key in him taking the title from Johnson.

11. Junior Dos Santos

Last fight: Unanimous decision loss vs. Cain Velasquez

Next Fight: N/A

Junior dos Santos just lost his heavyweight strap, but that was the first time we have seen him vulnerable in the UFC.

His powerful boxing and good takedown defense could not overcome his lack of gas tank against Cain Velasquez. I wouldn't want to be his next opponent, as he will likely be made an example of.

10. Frankie Edgar

Last fight: Unanimous decision loss vs. Jose Aldo 

Next Fight: N/A

Though he lost to Jose Aldo on Saturday, Frankie Edgar remains the definition of a pound-for-pound fighter.

The former lightweight champion made his featherweight debut by almost knocking off the champion. Despite still being at a size disadvantage, Edgar came close to becoming a multi-divisional champion with the UFC.

9. Renan Barao

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Urijah Faber

Next Fight: Michael McDonald at UFC on Fuel 7

The interim champion at 135 pounds, Renan Barao has yet to have a hiccup in the big leagues.

The Brazilian holds the gold while Dominick Cruz mends a knee injury. Until then, he has a date with Michael McDonald this month in England while defending his strap for the first time.

I expect Barao to meet up with Cruz to unify the title eventually.

8. Demetrious Johnson

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. John Dodson

Next Fight: N/A

The flyweight champion and former challenger for bantamweight gold, Demetrious Johnson has found a home at 125 pounds. 

He now owns wins over the second, third and fourth best flyweights in the world. His takedowns and quickness have been key to his success.

It will be interesting to see who his next opponent is.

7. Cain Velasquez

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Junios dos Santos

Next Fight: N/A

Cain Velasquez is back atop the mountain at heavyweight with his recent drubbing of Junior dos Santos. That fight was a taste of sweet revenge for the Mexican-American fighter.

Now it's time to see who his next opponent will be. It was going to be Alistair Overeem, but he was brutally knocked out Saturday night against former Velasquez opponent Antonio Silva.

6. Dominick Cruz

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Demetrious Johnson

Next Fight: N/A

Though he is on the shelf due to a knee injury, it is hard to deny that Dominick Cruz is one of the best fighters in the world.

His footwork and superior wrestling have carried him to a nice career so far. However, the injured champion is entering a shark tank upon his return, as Renan Barao and company are ravenous to dethrone him.

5. Benson Henderson

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Nate Diaz

Next Fight: Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7

Former WEC champion Benson Henderson has carved up the UFC lightweight division in beating all comers so far. He now must encounter a Strikeforce import in his next outing.

His wrestling, cardio and smart fighting have made him unstoppable so far in the UFC. It will be interesting to see how long he can hold gold in the most jam-packed division in MMA.

4. Jose Aldo

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Frankie Edgar 

Next Fight: N/A

Jose Aldo is still the king of the hill in the featherweight division, but he was given all he could handle Saturday night when he encountered Frankie Edgar.

He is always going to be the better striker when he enters the cage. His cardio is a question mark, as he cuts much weight to make 145 pounds, so that must improve.

It wouldn't be shocking to see him make the move to lightweight eventually.

3. Jon Jones

Last fight: Submission win vs. Vitor Belfort

Next Fight: Chael Sonnen at UFC 159

Currently serving as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter, Jon Jones has many fans craving his return at UFC 159.

The unstoppable champion who has dominated all comers with his crazy striking and dominant wrestling meets the outspoken Chael Sonnen with gold on the line. He has yet to really be in trouble in his MMA career, which is why he is No. 3 in the pound-for-pound rankings.

2. Georges St-Pierre

Last fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Carlos Condit

Next Fight: Nick Diaz at UFC 158

Georges St-Pierre shook off the ring rust in his latest fight against Carlos Condit, demonstrating his amazing wrestling and solid striking against the American highlight reel Condit.

He now must shift his focus to a cardio machine with boxing and jiu-jitsu in Nick Diaz. GSP fights on home turf, but it's never easy when taking on an enigma like Diaz.

1. Anderson Silva

Last fight: Knockout win vs. Stephan Bonnar

Next Fight: N/A

A longtime resident in the No.1 spot of the pound-for-pound rankings, Anderson Silva is pure unstoppable. Aside from Chael Sonnen, nobody has even competed with the long-time middleweight champ.

It will be interesting to see who his next opponent is, as one could argue between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort. Nevertheless, that opponent should be ready because Silva has looked to be on another level in recent fights.