Strikeforce: Power Ranking the Current Title Holders

On Saturday, Nick Diaz and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza both successfully defended their Strikeforce titles. With every title defense, champions further cement their legacy as great MMA fighters. Of Strikeforce's seven champions, five have successfully defended their title at least once.

As Strikeforce is currently an inferior organization to the UFC, it needs great champion in order to be successful. Some of their current champions have the potential for greatness, while others may be destined to relinquish their belts rather quickly.

Most champions are measured by their number of title defenses and who they defeat to retain their championship. In a growing organization, a champion's ability to generate interest can be equally important. 

7. Marloes Coenen

Marloes Coenen captured the Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Championship from Sarah Kaufmann in her last appearance. Coenen received the title shot despite losing her previous fight to Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos.

Coenen's first title defense has not yet been scheduled. Until women's fighting grows in popularity and Coenen defends her belt at least a couple times, she will probably remain at the bottom of the heap of Strikeforce champions.

6. Rafael Cavalcante

The second of the two Strikeforce champions who have not defended their belt yet, Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante won his title by defeating Muhammed Lawal in August 2010. The win over Lawal was no small victory, but Cavalcante will need to score a win over another big name opponent before he moves up in this list.

Cavalcante's chance to do just that will come in his next fight. "Feijao" will take on former UFC fighter and Pride champion Dan Henderson. With a win over Henderson, Cavalcante would definitely start getting some respect as one of the top light heavyweight fighters in the world.

5. Ronaldo Souza

At Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza defended the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship for the first time. After a shaky start, Souza was able to submit the always-dangerous Robbie Lawler.

With wins against Jason "Mayhem" Miller, Matt Lindland, and Tim Kennedy, Souza is starting to build an impressive resume'. Still, Souza is not widely recognized by casual MMA fans and could use a win against a fighter who is closer to the top ten middleweights in the world before he is considered one of the best champions in Strikeforce.

4. Gilbert Melendez

In 2009, Gilbert Melendez avenged losses to Mitsuhiro Ishida and Josh Thomson. The win over Thomson earned Melendez the undisputed Strikeforce Lightweight Championship. Since then, Melendez has fought one more time and defeated Shinya Aoki by unanimous decision.

Melendez will attempt to defend his title for a second time when he fights Tatsuya Kawajiri in April. Melendez defeated Kawajiri in their last meeting in Pride in December 2006. Now that Melendez has avenged the only losses of his career, it is time for him to start picking up some wins over new competition.

3. Cristiane Santos

Were it not for the lack of popularity of women's MMA, Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos might be the best champion in Strikeforce. Since joining the promotion, Santos has finished all four of her opponents. Santos even finished Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Champion Marloes Coenen.

Since losing the first fight of her professional career, Santos has won ten straight fights. Santos' next fight remains to be scheduled. Santos was present at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg, where her husband, Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos, was defeated by Nick Diaz.  

2. Alistair Overeem

Alistair Overeem is a winner of nine consecutive fights. In the win that began that streak, Overeem won the Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship by defeating Paul Buentello. Yet, Overeem has only defended his belt once in all of his fights since then.

Overeem has the potential to become a great champion, but he will need to start focusing more on MMA and fighting tougher competition. The upcoming Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix will give Overeem an excellent opportunity to enhance his legacy as a champion.

Overeem's first fight in the Grand Prix will be against Fabricio Werdum, who beat Overeem in 2006. If Overeem is able to defeat Werdum and go on to win the tournament, there is a very good chance that he would become the best Strikeforce champion by a long shot.

1. Nick Diaz

Love him or hate him, Nick Diaz is the most accomplished and recognizable Strikeforce champion. Diaz has won nine consecutive fights and defended his belt twice since winning it exactly one year ago. On Saturday, Diaz defeated Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos by submission via armbar with ten seconds remaining in the second round.

Diaz is a UFC veteran and polarizing figure. Diaz's fights draw attention from many MMA fans wanting to see him lose. Diaz could use some wins over bigger name opponents, but so could all of the previously mentioned champions.