Bleacher Report MMA Rankings for February 2016

While January provided neither the quantity nor the quality of December's delectable smorgasbord of MMA action, it was still a month filled with meaningful action.

Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit put on an all-timer of a welterweight title fight to open up proceedings, while Dominick Cruz regained the belt he never lost in the cage against T.J. Dillashaw two weeks later. Anthony Johnson put a brutal beating on Ryan Bader to cap off the month. Ben Rothwell staked his claim for a title fight at heavyweight for what seems like the umpteenth time.

Bleacher Report's panel of voters took it all into account, so let's take a look at how these fights affected the rankings.

As usual, each panelist's rankings are available on Twitter.

Rules and Notes

Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Each month, Bleacher Report MMA will deliver top-10 rankings for each major men's MMA division, as well as the women's strawweight and bantamweight divisions. The rankings will typically come out during the first week of each month, but timing will be flexible, depending on where major events fall on the calendar. Bleacher Report's rankings panel consists of Chad Dundas, Nathan McCarter, Steven Rondina, Jonathan Snowden and Patrick Wyman.

Which fighters are ranked? How are they ranked? Rules are as follows:

• Fighters are ranked in their weight class by each member of the panel, receiving up to 10 points based on where they are placed (the No. 1 fighter receives 10 points, the No. 2 fighter receives nine and so on). Ties are left unbroken, and fighters sharing the same number of points are ordered alphabetically.
• Weight classes for men include 125 pounds, 135 pounds, 145 pounds, 155 pounds, 170 pounds, 185 pounds, 205 pounds and 206 to 265 pounds. Weight classes for women include 115 pounds and 135 pounds. 
• Fighters must have fought within the last 18 months and/or have a bout scheduled. If a fighter is removed from the rankings due to inactivity, he will only be readmitted after participating in a sanctioned MMA bout. Retirements and indefinite leaves from the sport are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Fighters suspended for failed drug tests are immediately removed from the rankings. They are eligible to rejoin the rankings after serving their suspension and competing in a sanctioned MMA bout.
• Fighters suspended for behavioral reasons are handled on a case-by-case basis.
• Fighters are only eligible to be ranked in one weight class, determined at the panel's discretion.

Here are the notes for this month:

• Yoel Romero has been removed from the rankings due to his failed drug test. If he is cleared by USADA, he will be immediately re-added. If not...see the rules above.
• Anderson Silva will rejoin the rankings fray as a middleweight following his bout with Michael Bisping on February 27.
• Once again, Donald Cerrone and Ben Askren will remain ranked at lightweight and welterweight, respectively, for the time being.

Women's Strawweight

Matt Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Joanna Jedrzejczyk rules the strawweight division with an iron fist.

No. 1 — Joanna Jedrzejczyk (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 11-0 (4 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 28
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 5-0 
Last Fight: Valerie Letourneau, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Claudia Gadelha, The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale (July 8)

No. 2 — Claudia Gadelha (45)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-1 (2 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 27
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 63"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Jessica Aguilar, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk, The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale (July 8)

No. 3T — Jessica Aguilar (28)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-5 (2 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 61"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Claudia Gadelha, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Juliana Lima, UFC 198 (May 14)

No. 3T — Carla Esparza (28)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-3 (3 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5'1"
Reach: 63"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3T — Tecia Torres (28)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 7-0 (0 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'1"
Reach: 61"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 — Rose Namajunas (23)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 3-2 (0 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 23
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Paige VanZant, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7 — Livia Renata Souza (18)
Promotion: Invicta FC (C)
Record: 9-0 (1 knockout, 7 submissions)
Age: 24
Height: 5'4"
Reach: Unknown
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: DeAnna Bennett, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8 — Karolina Kowalkiewicz (19)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 8-0 (1 knockout, 1 submission)
Age: 30
Height: 5'3"
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Randa Markos, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 — Jessica Penne (16)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3 (2 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10 — Valerie Letourneau (12)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 8-3 (4 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 32
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 68.5"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers in January

Livia Renata Souza was supposed to have a fight on her hands against DeAnna Bennett, but she torched her opponent inside of two minutes. She told MMA Fighting that she is ready for the UFC and that she is "the f-----g strawweight Conor McGregor." Let's hope Sean Shelby is listening. She's earned the call-up.

Fights to Watch in February

N/A

Flyweight

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Wilson Reis put on a great performance against Dustin Ortiz in January's most important flyweight bout.

No. 1 — Demetrious Johnson (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 23-2-1 (4 knockouts, 9 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'3"
Reach: 64"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: John Dodson, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 2 — Joseph Benavidez (43)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-4 (6 knockouts, 9 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: John Moraga, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Zach Makovsky, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)

No. 3 — John Dodson (42)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-7 (8 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'3"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Demetrious Johnson, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 — Henry Cejudo (33)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-0 (4 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 64"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Jussier da Silva, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 — Kyoji Horiguchi (29)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-2 (9 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 24
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Chico Camus, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 — Jussier da Silva (23)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-4 (0 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Henry Cejudo, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7 — Ian McCall (18)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-5-1 (4 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 64"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: John Lineker, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8T — Ali Bagautinov (12)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-4 (5 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 65.5"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Joseph Benavidez, Loss, Unanimous Decision 
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8T — John Moraga (12)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4 (2 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Joseph Benavidez, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10 — Zach Makovsky (10)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-6 (1 knockout, 6 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 64"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: John Dodson, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Joseph Benavidez, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)

Movers and Shakers in January

Wilson Reis is back, folks. The Brazilian has been a fringe top-10 player since dropping to the flyweight division in 2014 but wound up on the outside looking in following a loss to Jussier da Silva. Many expected him to do the job for the up-and-coming Dustin Ortiz at UFC on Fox 18, but instead, he showed all the top-notch grappling skills that made him one of Bellator's first stars.

While he doesn't have a clear path to the title at this time, he is once again a player at the top of the division.

Fights to Watch in February

• Ray Borg vs. Justin Scoggins, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)
• No. 2 Joseph Benavidez vs. No. 10 Zach Makovsky, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)

Bantamweight

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Dominick Cruz emerged victorious in a tight decision over T.J. Dillashaw.

No. 1 - Dominick Cruz (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 21-1 (7 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 30
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 68"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: T.J. Dillashaw, Win, Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 2 - T.J. Dillashaw (45)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3 (6 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 68"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Dominick Cruz, Loss, Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 - Renan Barao (38)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 33-3 (1) (8 knockouts, 15 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: T.J. Dillashaw, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 - Raphael Assuncao (33)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-4 (3 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'5.5"
Reach: 67.5"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Bryan Caraway, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 (Tie) - Urijah Faber (25)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 33-8 (7 knockouts, 19 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Frankie Saenz, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 (Tie) - Aljamain Sterling (25)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-0 (2 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Johnny Eduardo, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7 - Marlon Moraes (16)
Promotion: World Series of Fighting (C)
Record: 15-4-1 (5 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 27
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Sheymon Moraes, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Joseph Barajas, World Series of Fighting 28 (February 20)

No. 8 - Bibiano Fernandes (14)
Promotion: ONE Championship (C)
Record: 19-3 (2 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 5'7"
Reach: ???
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Kevin Belingon, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 - Thomas Almeida (11)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-0 (16 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 24
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Anthony Birchak, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10 - Eduardo Dantas (6)
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 17-4 (4 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'10"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Mike Richman, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Marcos Galvao, Bellator 150 (February 26)

Movers and Shakers in December

Dominick Cruz defeated T.J. Dillashaw to regain the bantamweight title he never lost in his long-awaited return to action. Bibiano Fernandes scored a first-round submission finish over Kevin Belingon in ONE Championship to retain his crown.

Fights to Watch in January

• No. 7 Marlon Moraes vs. Joseph Barjas, World Series of Fighting 28 (February 20)
• Cody Garbrandt vs. John Lineker, UFC Fight Night 83 (February 21)
• Eduardo Dantas vs. Marcos Galvao, Bellator 150 (February 26)

Women's Bantamweight

Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Holly Holm and Miesha Tate will fight for the women's bantamweight title on March 6.

No. 1 — Holly Holm (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 10-0 (7 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Ronda Rousey, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: Miesha Tate, UFC 196 (March 6)

No. 2 — Ronda Rousey (45)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-1 (3 knockouts, 9 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Holly Holm, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 — Miesha Tate (40)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-5 (3 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 66.5"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Jessica Eye, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Holly Holm (C), UFC 196, March 6

No. 4 — Cat Zingano (34)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-1 (5 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 68"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Ronda Rousey, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 — Amanda Nunes (25)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-4 (9 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 27
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Sara McMann, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Valentina Shevchenko, UFC 196 (March 5)

No. 6 — Alexis Davis (24)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6 (9 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Sarah Kaufman, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7 — Tonya Evinger (23)
Promotion: Invicta FC (C)
Record: 16-5 (7 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 34
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Pannie Kianzad, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8 — Julianna Pena (15)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 7-2 (3 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Jessica Eye, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 — Sara McMann (11)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 8-3 (1 knockout, 3 submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Amanda Nunes, Loss, Submission 
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10 — Jessica Eye (3)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-4 (1) (3 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 29
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 1-3 (1)
Last Fight: Julianna Pena, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown 

Movers and Shakers in January

Raquel Pa'aluhi was, debatably, a fringe top-10 name entering Invicta 15. While she owned a humble 5-4 career record entering the event, she had exclusively faced high-level competition. If she beat the well-traveled Colleen Schneider, it may have meant she was ready for the big time.

Alas, it was not meant to be. Pa'aluhi came out on the wrong end of a tight split decision and likely missed out on the chance to challenge Tonya Evinger for the Invicta bantamweight title. 

Fights to Watch in February

• Sarah Moras vs. Lauren Murphy, UFC Fight Night 83 (February 21)
• Marion Reneau vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith, UFC Fight Night 83 (February 21)

Featherweight

John Locher/Associated Press

No. 1 - Conor McGregor (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 19-2 (17 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 27
Height: 5’9”
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Jose Aldo, Win, KO
Next Fight: Rafael dos Anjos (LW C) at UFC 196

No. 2 - Jose Aldo (45)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-2 (14 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Conor McGregor, Loss, KO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 - Frankie Edgar (40)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-4-1 (6 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 34
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 68"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Chad Mendes, Win, KO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 - Chad Mendes (32)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4 (7 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 5’6”
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 2-3 
Last Fight: Frankie Edgar, Loss, KO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 - Max Holloway (30)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-3 (6 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 24
Height: 5’11”
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Jeremy Stephens, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 - Ricardo Lamas (23)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4 (4 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5’8”
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 3-2 
Last Fight: Diego Sanchez, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown.

No. 7 - Daniel Straus (16)
Promotion: Bellator (c)
Record: 25-5 (4 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5’8”
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Patricio Freire, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown.

No. 8 - Charles Oliveira (15)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-5 (1) (6 knockouts, 13 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Myles Jury, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 - Cub Swanson (11)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-7 (8 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 5’7”
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Max Holloway, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Hacran Dias at UFC on Fox 19

No. 10 - Patricio Freire (6)
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 24-2 (10 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5’5”
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Daniel Straus, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers Since January

No members of the Bleacher Report featherweight top 10 were in action last month, and there were no changes to the list.

Fights to Watch in February 

• Dennis Bermudez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri at UFC Fight Night 83 (February 21)

Lightweight

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Eddie Alvarez took a tight decision over Anthony Pettis in the month's biggest lightweight bout.

1. Rafael dos Anjos (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 25-7 (5 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5’9”
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Donald Cerrone, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Conor McGregor (FW C) at UFC 196

2. Eddie Alvarez (40)

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-4 (14 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 5’9”
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Anthony Pettis, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

3. Tony Ferguson (36)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-3 (9 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5’11”
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Edson Barboza, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC on Fox 19

4. Donald Cerrone (34)

Promotion: UFC
Record: 28-7 (1) (5 knockouts, 15 submissions)
Age: 32 
Height: 6’0”
Reach: 73"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Rafael dos Anjos, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Alex Oliveira, UFC Fight Night 83 (at welterweight)

5. Will Brooks (33)

Promotion: Bellator (C)
Record: 17-1 (5 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Marcin Held, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

6. Anthony Pettis (31)

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3 (7 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 73"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Eddie Alvarez, Loss, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

7. Nate Diaz (18)

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-10 (4 knockouts, 11 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Michael Johnson, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

8. Beneil Dariush (14)

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-1 (2 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Michael Johnson, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Michael Chiesa at UFC on Fox 19

9T. Edson Barboza (5)

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4 (10 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 30
Height: 5' 11"
Reach: 75"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Tony Ferguson, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

9T. Justin Gaethje (5)

Promotion: WSOF (C)
Record: 15-0 (12 knockouts, 1 submission) 
Age: 27
Height: 5’11”
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Luis Palomino, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers Since January

Eddie Alvarez was the month's biggest winner, flying up four spots to No. 2 after his split-decision win over Anthony Pettis on January 17. The win makes Alvarez 2-1 since coming to the UFC in the fall of 2014 and might put him in the pole position for a title shot. All that depends on how things shake out between Rafael dos Anjos and Conor McGregor at UFC 196, however. 

Fights to Watch in February

• Josh Burkman vs. K.J. Noons at UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6) 
• No. 4 Donald Cerrone vs. Alex Oliveira (at welterweight) at UFC Fight Night 83 (February 21)
• Norman Parke vs. Rustam Khabilov at UFC Fight Night 84 (February 27)

Welterweight

John Locher/Associated Press

Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit put on an epic fight at UFC 195.

No. 1 - Robbie Lawler (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 26-10, 1 N/C (20 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 33
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1 
Last Fight: Carlos Condit, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 2 - Johny Hendricks (41)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-3 (8 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 32
Height: 5'9"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Matt Brown, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Stephen Thompson, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)

No. 3 - Rory MacDonald (40)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3 (7 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Robbie Lawler, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 - Tyron Woodley (32)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-3 (5 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Kelvin Gastelum, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 - Carlos Condit (30)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-8 (15 knockouts, 13 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Robbie Lawler, Loss, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 - Demian Maia (26)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-6 (3 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Age: 37
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Gunnar Nelson, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Matt Brown, UFC Fight Night (May 14)

No. 7 - Ben Askren (23)
Promotion: ONE Championship
Record: 14-0, 1 N/C (4 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'10"
Reach: 71.0"
Last Five: 4-0, 1 N/C
Last Fight: Luis Santos, No Contest
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8 - Dong Hyun Kim (11)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-3-1, 1 N/C (9 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Dominic Waters, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 - Matt Brown (9)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 20-13 (12 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 34
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 75"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Tim Means, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Demian Maia, UFC Fight Night (May 14)

No. 10 - Benson Henderson (6)
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 23-5 (2 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'9"
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Jorge Masvidal, Win, Decision
Next Fight: Andrey Koreshkov, Bellator 153 (April 22)

Movers and Shakers in January

The only major fight of the month was a banger of a welterweight title fight between Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit that saw the champion emerge victorious in controversial fashion. While he has yet to enter the rankings, Albert Tumenov's victory over Lorenz Larkin involved a pair of fighters on the cusp.

Fights to Watch in February

• Johny Hendricks vs. Stephen Thompson, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)

Middleweight

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Rockhold captured the middleweight title in December.

No. 1 — Luke Rockhold (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 15-2 (4 knockouts, 9 submission)
Age: 31
Height: 6'3"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Chris Weidman, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Chris Weidman, UFC 199 (June)

No. 2 — Chris Weidman (45)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-1 (6 knockouts, 3 submission)
Age: 31
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 78"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Luke Rockhold, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Luke Rockhold, UFC 199 (June)

No. 3 — Ronaldo Souza (38)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-3, (1) (2 knockouts, 16 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Yoel Romero, Loss, Split Decision
Next Fight: Vitor Belfort, UFC 198 (May 14)

No. 4 — Vitor Belfort (33)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-11 (18 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 38
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Dan Henderson, Win, KO
Next Fight: Jacare Souza, UFC 198 (May 14)

No. 5 — Lyoto Machida (31)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-7 (9 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 37
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Yoel Romero, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 — Michael Bisping (24)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 27-7 (15 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 75"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Thales Leites, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Anderson Silva, UFC Fight Night 83 (February 27)

No. 7 — Tim Kennedy (13)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5 (6 knockouts, 8 submission)
Age: 36
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Yoel Romero, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8 — Robert Whittaker (11)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4 (7 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 25
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 73.5"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Uriah Hall, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 — Gegard Mousasi (10)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 37-6-2 (19 knockouts, 12 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Uriah Hall, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Thales Leites, UFC Fight Night 83 (February 27)

No. 10 - Thales Leites (9)

Promotion: UFC

Record: 25-5 (4 knockouts, 14 submissions)

Age: 33

Height: 6'1"

Reach: 78.8"

Last Five: 4-1

Last Fight: Michael Bisping, Loss, Split Decision

Next Fight: Gegard Mousasi, UFC Fight Night 83 (February 27)

Movers and Shakers in January

After a middleweight-heavy December, there was not much movement in January in the cage, but out of the cage USADA came calling.

Yoel Romero was suspended for a potential violation, and that forced his removal from the rankings. It also made the decision as to who would get the next title shot much clearer, as the UFC announced Weidman would get a rematch.

Fights to Watch in February

• Derek Brunson vs. Roan Carneiro, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 21)
• No. 9 Gegard Mousasi vs. Thales Leites, UFC Fight Night 83 (February 27)
• Anderson Silva vs. No. 6 Michael Bisping, UFC Fight Night 83 (February 27)

Light Heavyweight

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Anthony Johnson pounded Ryan Bader into unconsciousness in January's biggest light heavyweight fight.

No. 1 — Jon Jones (50 points)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-1 (9 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 84.5"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Daniel Cormier, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 2 — Daniel Cormier (45)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 17-1 (6 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Alexander Gustafsson, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 — Anthony Johnson (40)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-5 (14 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 78"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Ryan Bader, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 — Alexander Gustafsson (31)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4 (10 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 6'5"
Reach: 79"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Daniel Cormier, Loss, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 — Ryan Bader (28)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-5 (6 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Anthony Johnson, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 — Phil Davis (27)
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 15-3 (1) (3 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 79"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Francis Carmont, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7 — Glover Teixeira (21)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-4 (13 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Patrick Cummins, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8 — Liam McGeary (14)
Promotion: Bellator (C)
Record: 11-0 (5 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'6"
Reach: 81"
Last Five- 5-0
Last Fight: Tito Ortiz, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 — Rashad Evans (6)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-4-1 (7 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 75"
Last Fight: Ryan Bader, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10 — Ovince Saint Preux (5)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-7 (9 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 6'3"
Reach: 80"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Glover Teixeira, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Rafael Cavalcante, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)

Movers and Shakers in January

Ryan Bader made the terrible mistake of accepting a fight with Anthony Johnson instead of pressuring the UFC into giving him a title shot and...well...you saw the result. He was viciously knocked out in just 86 seconds and returns, once again, to the back of the line. Johnson, meanwhile, seems like the greatest threat to Jon Jones' lineal title.

Fights to Watch in February

• No. 10 Ovince St. Preux vs. Rafael Cavalcante, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)

Heavyweight

Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Ben Rothwell choked out Josh Barnett for the biggest win of his career.

No. 1 — Fabricio Werdum (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 20-5 (6 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Age: 38
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Cain Velasquez, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 2 — Cain Velasquez (45)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 13-2 (11 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Fabricio Werdum, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 — Stipe Miocic (37)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 14-2 (10 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 33
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 80"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Andrei Arlovski, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 — Alistair Overeem (31)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 41-14-1 (20 knockouts, 17 submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 80"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Junior dos Santos, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 — Ben Rothwell (30)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 35-9 (20 knockouts, 12 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 79"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Josh Barnett, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 — Junior dos Santos (25)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 17-4 (12 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Alistair Overeem, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7T — Andrei Arlovski (21)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 25-11-1 (17 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Stipe Miocic, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7T — Travis Browne (21)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 17-3-1 (13 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'7"
Reach: 80"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Matt Mitrione, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 — Josh Barnett (6)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 34-7 (8 knockouts, 20 submissions)
Age: 37
Height: 6'3"
Reach: 78"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Ben Rothwell, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10T - Mark Hunt (4)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 10-10-1 (7 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 41
Height: 5'10"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 2-2-1
Last Fight: Antonio Silva, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Frank Mir, UFC Fight Night 85 (March 20) 

No. 10T — Vitaly Minakov (4)
Promotion: Fight Nights 
Record: 17-0 (9 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 78"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Josh Copeland, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers in January

January was an active month in the heavyweight division. Travis Browne managed to hold down his top-10 standing with a win over Matt Mitrione. Was it a good win? Was it a clean win? Should he feel proud about it? Did he even deserve it? Nope. But as Bleacher Report's own Chad Dundas broke down back in the day (with CagePotato.com at the time and Warning, NSFW Language), a win is a win, no matter how many times you poke a dude in the eye to get it.

Somebody who actually did get a good, clean win that he deserved and should feel proud of was Ben Rothwell. Entering UFC on Fox 18, the heavyweight title picture was the talk of the town after Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez fell apart. Unfortunately, through all the discussion about Alistair Overeem and Stipe Miocic, fans and pundits all but forgot about Rothwell's on-paper top contender status.

Well, he reminded everyone that that he is one of MMA's top dogs at UFC on Fox 18. Against resurgent veteran Josh Barnett, Rothwell scored his most impressive stoppage to date, tapping out the former champion with a gogo choke.

Fights to Watch in February

• Derrick Lewis vs. Damian Grabowski, UFC Fight Night 82 (February 6)