MMA World Rankings (Updated 3-4-2011)
UFC 127 seemed to raise more questions than answers.
Former two-division champion B.J. Penn and perennial welterweight contender Jon Fitch battled it out for three grueling rounds in a bout with title implications.
In the end, the judges ruled the fight a majority draw. While one judge scored the fight for Fitch, the other two scored the bout even.
The nod would've gone to Penn by the agreeing judges if the third round wasn't scored as a 10-8 for Fitch.
Don't expect for the UFC to leave dissatisfied fans with such an epic cliffhanger. An immediate rematch is already being discussed. If anything, Penn will likely stick around at welterweight for another fight.
The Hawaiian has impressed lately since returning to his former division. Before going to the wire with the No. 2 welterweight in the world, Penn put the beatdown on former nemesis Matt Hughes at UFC 123.
His impressive win over Hughes and performance against Fitch was more than enough to revive his placement in the welterweight rankings.
*These rankings rely heavily on quality of competition and defeating previously ranked opponents (not possibilities––such as fighter A would beat fighter B)*
(SportsHaze.com Original)
Heavyweight (Over 205 Pounds)
1 of 7
1) Cain Velasquez
An MMA world fixated on size and power had no place for Cain Velasquez. On Oct. 23, fans and pundits alike were reminded of the lone fact that has eluded many ever since the emergence of gargantuan heavyweights––technique is greater than strength.
Velasquez overcame size by giving Brock Lesnar a first-round thrashing to become the new UFC Heavyweight Champion. It will be incredibly challenging for anyone to withstand Velasquez's ferocious offense.
His teammates credit him to outworking lightweights. Velasquez's first title defense was set to be against Junior Dos Santos, but a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder will keep him out of action for eight months.
2) Brock Lesnar
The loss to Cain Velasquez has to be tough for Brock Lesnar. This had no resemblance to the Frank Mir loss. Against Velasquez, Lesnar was completely dominated and outclassed by the superior fighter.
Despite the loss, Lesnar is only 33 years old and still relatively inexperienced. He will continue to get better as he gets more fights, but the obvious gap in skill level between him and Velasquez will definitely be hard to account for.
Velasquez recently suffered a torn rotator cuff, and he won't be able to defend his title against top contender Junior Dos Santos.
Lesnar and Dos Santos have now been assigned coaching duties over season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter. At the end of the show, both coaches will battle one another for a shot at the Heavyweight Title.
3) Shane Carwin
Following his UFC 116 submission loss to Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin has been under fire as of late regarding a nationwide conspiracy dealing with the illegal distribution of anabolic steroids.
Carwin was identified along with 21 other professional athletes to having received the steroids from Applied Pharmacy Services.
It isn't known whether or not he actually took the drugs. He hasn't tested positive for any banned substances, which has seemingly voided any possible suspension.
After undergoing back surgery, Carwin is rumored to make his return at UFC 131 on June 11 against Cheick Kongo.
4) Fabricio Werdum
On June 26, 2010, Fabricio Werdum made history when he became the first man to defeat one of the greatest Mixed Martial Artists of all time, Fedor Emelianenko. If that wasn't shocking enough, Werdum asked for a rematch immediately following the bout.
The two-time ADCC Champion will compete in the eight-man Strikeforce Heavyweight tournament for a shot at the heavyweight title.
His quarterfinal bout could be the toughest. He'll have to figure out a way to overcome Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, DREAM Interim Heavyweight Champion, and K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Alistair Overeem.
5) Junior Dos Santos
The future is becoming the present, and prospects are becoming contenders. Along with Cain Velasquez, JDS has been called the future of the UFC Heavyweight division.
He has manhandled the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Mirko Cro Cop, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Gilbert Yvel. At UFC 117, he battered a tough Roy Nelson around for 15 minutes.
As arguably the best striker at Heavyweight, fans are surely enamored by the prospective violence that is to come courtesy of "Cigano."
Dos Santos was expected to challenge Cain Velasquez for the heavyweight championship, but a torn rotator cuff will keep Velasquez sidelined for an extended period of time.
UFC President Dana White has announced Dos Santos and former champion Brock Lesnar as the coaches for TUF Season 13. As per custom, the coaches will face one another once the show concludes.
6) Frank Mir
As a punishment for kids being bad in school, they should be forced to watch Frank Mir versus Mirko Cro Cop in the main event of UFC 119.
The highlight-worthy KO Mir pulled off in the third round still wasn't enough to erase the atrocity that preceded. We'll see if he can redeem himself against Roy "Big Country" Nelson at UFC 130.
7) Antonio Silva
If Antonio Silva didn't already have the MMA world's respect, he certainly earned it in his Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament quarterfinal bout with Fedor Emelianenko.
The doctor was forced to stop the fight after Silva dished out an entire round of punishment from the mounted position.
While Fabricio Werdum is known as the first man to defeat Fedor, Silva could be remembered as the man that retired him.
8) Fedor Emelianenko
After losing to Antonio Silva, former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko hinted at the possibility of retiring from the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. The funeral-like atmosphere encouraged fans to appreciate every moment, no matter how small.
A standard quarterfinal bout in Strikeforce's Heavyweight Tournament could go down as one the most memorable nights in MMA history, if "The Last Emperor" decides to hang up his gloves.
9) Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem's train of destruction continued at Dynamite!! 2010, where it took him only 19 seconds to dispatch of former UFC prospect Todd Duffee.
As the Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, Overeem has only defended his belt once in three years. The major gaps between defenses will finally come to an end as the Strikeforce promotion has loaded up on exceptional talent in the heavyweight division.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has announced that an eight-man tournament will take place for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Title. Overeem is set to face Fabricio Werdum in a quarterfinal bout on April 9.
10) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Before UFC 92, Nogueira had never been finished in his illustrious career. KO losses to Mir at UFC 92 and Velasquez at UFC 110 has changed fan perception of Nogueira's chin.
Despite only being 34 years of age, Nogueira has seen plenty of wars. His body is starting to show tremendous wear and tear.
Many wonder how much longer he can hold up in a division full of oversized beasts.
A rematch with Frank Mir was set for UFC 119, but Nogueira was forced to withdraw because of knee issues. He recently underwent knee and hip surgery, which is likely to keep him sidelined until late summer 2011.
Light Heavyweight (205-Pound Limit)
2 of 7
1) Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
After a major knee surgery, Shogun came back to the octagon and racked up wins over Mark Coleman and Chuck Liddell. Those victories earned him a title shot against the enigmatic, Lyoto Machida. Lyoto took the victory in one of the most controversial UFC decisions ever.
At UFC 113, Shogun was awarded an immediate rematch. The judges could've stayed home. Shogun KO'd Machida in the first round to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Coming off another major knee surgery, Shogun is set to return at UFC 128 against breakout star Jon Jones.
2) Rashad Evans
It was an uneventful victory, but Rashad Evans got the job done. After defeating Quinton Jackson, Evans was classy in victory and gave his opponent well-deserved respect.
A shot to reclaim his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship came with the victory, but unfortunately, current champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua underwent surgery to repair another knee injury.
The championship bout was set to take place on March 19 at UFC 128, but Evans suffered a knee injury in training that has knocked him out of the fight. Jon Jones, Evans' training partner, has agreed to take his place.
3) Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
Rampage's entrance music at UFC 123 surely gave longtime PRIDE FC fans goose bumps. The shocker came when Rampage's in-ring performance complemented his valiant walk down Memory Lane.
Despite being a significant underdog, he took a hotly contested split-decision victory over Lyoto Machida.
Whether you agree with the decision or not, you have to love Rampage's multi-faceted approach. We even almost got to see a vintage slam. This is the Rampage fans have missed. Hopefully, this newfound determination carries over to UFC 130 when Rampage meets Matt Hamill.
4) Lyoto Machida
It seems that Lyoto Machida is becoming a victim of his own style. His less than aggressive approach cost him two rounds in his UFC 123 split decision loss to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
Machida remains one of the best Light Heavyweights in the world, but this could become a serious problem for him down the road. Will he have to get more aggressive to ensure he edges out tight decisions?
The Machida that blasted Rampage in round three needs to show his face more often. At UFC 129, "The Dragon" is set to take on MMA legend Randy "The Natural" Couture.
5) Jon Jones
There wasn't anything flashy about Jon Jones' complete decimation of "TUF" Season 8 winner Ryan Bader.
The bout was touted as a battle between top UFC prospects. Bader looked like the only prospect in that fight, as Jones put on a veteran-like performance far beyond his years.
With teammate Rashad Evans on the shelf, Jones will now step in to challenge Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the Light Heavyweight Title at UFC 128 on March 19.
6) Forrest Griffin
After losing back-to-back fights, Forrest Griffin has rebounded nicely with two straight wins over former UFC champions Tito Ortiz and Rich Franklin.
Against Ortiz, Griffin avenged a split decision loss in April 2006, and against Franklin, he was the victor in a well-publicized tattoo bet.
Unfortunately, Griffin injured his right foot in his UFC 126 bout with Franklin. He could be on the shelf until August.
7) Ryan Bader
Things didn't go according to plan at UFC 126 for former two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler Ryan Bader, as he was completely outclassed and submitted by top light heavyweight contender Jon Jones.
Despite the loss, Bader remains one of the best light heavyweights in the world. In an interview with ESPN.com, he called out former champion and future Hall-of-Famer Tito Ortiz, who recently bowed out of his scheduled bout with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira due to a severe cut above his eye. Ortiz respectfully declined in a Twitter response.
8) Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
The woes of bad takedown defense continued to plague Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 119. He put forth a much better effort than he did in his bout with Jason Brilz, but he still showed significant struggles in his ability to deal with strong wrestlers.
In a world where takedowns count for so much, Nogueira has to find a way to improve and make the necessary adjustments. He'll face undefeated prospect Phil Davis at UFC Fight Night 24.
9) Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante
After a big upset, Feijao now finds himself at the top of the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight division. His victory over Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal is sure to garner a lot of talk and premature hype.
There is no doubt that Feijao is an explosive fighter. He'll put forth his first Light Heavyweight Title defense against Dan Henderson on March 5.
10) Muhammed Lawal "King Mo"
The king went from riches to rags in a hurry. In his first title defense, Muhammed Lawal was defeated at Strikeforce: Houston by Rafael Cavalcante. The manner in which he was defeated will make this loss a tough pill to swallow for King Mo.
His overzealousness in the clinch led to him getting caught by a huge knee that set up the TKO finish. After the bout, Lawal underwent knee surgery and is expected to return on June 18 in Dallas.
Middleweight (185-Pound Limit)
3 of 7
1) Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva's otherworldly front-kick KO victory over Vitor Belfort at UFC 126 reminded fans of one simple fact. He is "Kal-El," and the rest of us are just ordinary earthlings. The victory extended Silva's UFC records for most consecutive title defenses (8) and victories (13).
Considered by many the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Silva could finally be gearing up for a superfight with UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, but there are a plethora of scenarios that must unfold before fans get to see the fight of the century.
If plans go awry, Yushin Okami could get his long-awaited and just-deserved shot at "The Spider".
2) Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen's fall from grace took the MMA universe by surprise after testing positive for anabolic steroids. It's been a monumental year for the Oregon native.
After defeating Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami, Sonnen was quickly becoming a household name as he was all over media outlets selling his UFC 117 bout with Anderson Silva.
Despite losing, his star status was furthered by the five-round beating he gave Silva in his effort.
The California State Athletic Commission fined Sonnen and ruled on a one-year suspension for violating the drug policy. Sonnen appealed the suspension in December and got it reduced to six months.
If steroid accusations weren't enough, Sonnen's troubles took a turn for the worse when he recently pleaded guilty to money laundering.
3) Yushin Okami
Yushin Okami has been an upper-echelon Middleweight for a long time, but past injuries and tough losses have hampered his progression to the top of the division.
Since losing to Chael Sonnen at UFC 104, Okami has made drastic improvements in his overall game that has propelled him past Lucio Linhares, Mark Munoz, and Nate Marquardt.
The win over Marquardt was easily the most significant of Okami's career. As the rightful top contender for the middleweight title, Okami is now forced to play the waiting game.
His shot could take place this year or next, depending on whether or not the stars align for a superfight between Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre.
4) Nate Marquardt
The year 2010 is a year Nate Marquardt surely wants to forget as he looks to right his wayward ship in 2011. Marquardt is 1-2 in his last three fights. The losses have come in fairly dominating fashion by top Middleweights in Chael Sonnen and Yushin Okami.
We'll see if 2011 holds better days for the man many once considered a viable threat to Anderson Silva's middleweight title. A bout against Yoshihiro Akiyama is on deck for UFC 128.
5) Dan Henderson
After getting dominated by Jake Shields, Dan Henderson looked to be on the declining end of his Hall-of-Fame career. He blamed his sluggish performance on a tough weight cut and lack of energy.
Those problems vanished in his Strikeforce: St. Louis outing against former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral.
Henderson earned a first round KO stoppage and a shot at Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante.
6) Demian Maia
Maia was methodical in his unanimous decision win over Kendall Grove at the "TUF" 12 Finale. It marked the BJJ black belt's second straight victory since losing to Anderson Silva back in April 2010.
The climb back to contention could take awhile. Depending on various outcomes and decisions, Silva may defend his UFC Middleweight Championship later this year against Georges St. Pierre, and Yushin Okami has already earned the right to face the winner.
7) Vitor Belfort
After suffering such an embarrassing loss to UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort is itching to get back in the octagon.
There is no shame in losing to arguably the greatest fighter this sport has ever seen. Michael Bisping, Demian Maia, or the winner of Nate Marquardt-Yoshihiro Akiyama would make for great comeback opponents.
8) Ronaldo Souza
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza successfully defended his Strikeforce Middleweight Championship for the first time in January against former EliteXC champion Robbie Lawler. In the land of BJJ, Souza is a step above most in the world.
He proved his ground dominance once more against Lawler, as he secured takedowns and finished with the rear naked choke in the third round. With such a thin middleweight division, it'll be interesting to see who Strikeforce comes up with as Souza's next challenger.
9) Jorge Santiago
In one of the most exciting bouts of 2010, Jorge Santiago successfully defended his Sengoku Middleweight Title against Kazuo Misaki at Sengoku 14.
The main event was ended in the fifth round after Santiago started pouring on punches, and Misaki's corner was forced to throw in the towel. Santiago has now defeated Misaki two times.
It's almost a shame that Misaki couldn't pull out a win in one of the bouts. A rubber match between these two warriors would've been incredible.
Santiago recently signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC. His return date is set for May 28 at UFC 130 against Brian Stann.
10) Michael Bisping
If true, Michael Bisping's actions after his victory over Jorge Rivera at UFC 127 were completely uncalled for. Rivera's camp made claims that Bisping spit on one of the trainers sitting cageside.
The entire build-up between these two middleweights began when Rivera's camp posted videos on YouTube, poking fun at the Brit.
Immediately after his post-fight shenanigans, Bisping apologized in his interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan. A punishment could be handed down as the situation is still being looked into.
As for a future opponent, former title contender Chael Sonnen pleaded for a fight with Bisping in an email sent to UFC matchmaker Joe Silva.
Welterweight (170-Pound Limit)
4 of 7
1) Georges St. Pierre
At UFC 124, Georges St. Pierre promised that "the bully would be bullied," and he didn't disappoint in his five-round curb stomping of Josh Koscheck. St. Pierre utilized his jab to perfection as he tattooed Koscheck's eye throughout the fight.
It was a performance that continued to showcase the otherworldly level St. Pierre is on in regards to the rest of the division.
The French Canadian will look to defend his UFC title for a sixth time at UFC 129 when he takes on fellow top pound-for-pound fighter and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields.
2) Jon Fitch
Jon Fitch was a round away from dropping his second UFC loss to former two-division champion B.J. Penn at UFC 127.
If Fitch didn't turn the tides with a 10-8 round in the third, two of the three judges were ready to give Penn the nod for the split decision.
In the end, the bout was ruled a draw. There is talk about an immediate rematch between both welterweights.
Depending on Georges St. Pierre's fight with Jake Shields and his decision to move up in weight, could the rematch between Fitch and Penn be for the welterweight title?
3) Thiago Alves
At UFC 124, the Thiago Alves of old returned in a three round thrashing of John "Doomsday" Howard. Coming off back to back losses to Georges St. Pierre and Jon Fitch, this victory should serve as a major confidence booster for Alves moving forward.
He credits the Dolce Diet, a diet created by MMA fighter and nutrition coach Mike Dolce, for his improved conditioning and mindset. We'll see if the improvements carry over when he faces Rick "The Horror" Story at UFC 130 on May 28.
4) Josh Koscheck - The only thing more bruised than Josh Koscheck's eye has to be his ego. After months of trash talk, he was completely shutdown in his UFC Welterweight Championship bout with Georges St. Pierre.
At the end of the bout, Koscheck was respectful and admitted that the talk was only to hype the fight. It could be awhile before we see the blonde-headed villain in action again.
A broken orbital bone courtesy of multiple St. Pierre jabs could keep him sidelined until mid-2011.
5) Jake Shields
It was far from impressive, but Jake Shields managed to pick up the split decision victory over Martin Kampmann at UFC 121. Hopefully, this was a minor slip up by a man many consider one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world.
Some credit has be given to Martin Kampmann, who is as tough as they come. Still, Shields has to be miles better than he was at UFC 121 if he ever wishes to brandish UFC gold. He is set to challenge Georges St. Pierre for the Welterweight Title at UFC 129.
6) Paul Daley
At BAMMA 5, Paul Daley missed out on an opportunity to secure the welterweight title after missing weight for the third time in his past six fights.
Thankfully, his weight problems never carried over into the actual fight, as he decimated Yuya Shirai early in the first round with a quick KO stoppage.
Even though BAMMA gold would've been nice, Daley's primary aspirations lie on April 9, when he faces Nick Diaz for the Strikeforce Welterweight Title.
7) B.J. Penn
It's amazing how some pundits and fans talk about B.J. Penn's ensuing retirement, especially after he drew even with top welterweight contender Jon Fitch at UFC 127.
Physically, Penn is far from finished in the sport. In his past seven fights, his only losses have come to Frankie Edgar and Georges St. Pierre, who are currently the premier fighters in both of their divisions.
There are plenty of intriguing fights for Penn at welterweight and lightweight. The lightweight division suits him the best, but Penn could be gearing up for another welterweight showdown with Fitch.
8) Diego Sanchez
Since rejoining Team Jackson, Diego "The Dream" Sanchez has found new life in the welterweight division. He is coming off two tough wins over previous top ten opponents in Martin Kampmann and Paulo Thiago.
Sanchez will undoubtedly have his skeptics, but it's hard to dismiss his performances against world-class competition.
9) Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz may complain on conference calls about his pay and lack of world class competition, but he knows that he's well taken care of under the Strikeforce banner.
He topped the payouts with $150,000 in January at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg, where he defended his welterweight title by submitting Evangelista Santos in the second round with an armbar.
It may not be GSP, but Diaz's next title defense will come against top ten ranked heavy-hitter Paul "Semtex" Daley on April 9. This is the kind of fight Diaz has been asking for.
10) Carlos Condit
After a letdown in his UFC debut against Martin Kampmann, Carlos Condit is now fighting with the same vigor that garnered him plenty of success in the WEC.
In his past three fights, he has defeated three quality opponents in Dan Hardy, Rory MacDonald, and Jake Ellenberger.
It only took Condit one round to sing Hardy his lullaby at UFC 120. He was scheduled to face Chris Lytle at UFC 127, but a knee injury forced him off the card.
Lightweight (155-Pound Limit)
5 of 7
1) Frankie Edgar
In one of the most exciting UFC championship bouts of all time, Frankie Edgar finally earned the MMA world's respect after weathering a monumental storm in the first round of his UFC 125 fight with Gray Maynard.
After being dropped several times, Edgar regained his senses and battled back into the fight most thought he would lose. He didn't lose to Maynard, but he didn't win either.
The back and forth contest was deemed a draw in the end. Regardless of how the fight ended, Edgar and Maynard both became stars that night. The rubber match is set for UFC 130 in May.
2) Gray Maynard
"The Bully" finally met his equal at UFC 125 in his lightweight title bout with Frankie Edgar. Gray Maynard had a wobbly Edgar fighting on instinct throughout the first round after dropping him with a hard overhand left.
The fight could've been stopped multiple times, but referee Yves Lavigne's decision to let the bout continue paid dividends as Edgar turned the tables on the challenger in the following rounds.
In the end, all three judges disagreed on the decision, and the contest was ruled a draw. Maynard is the only man to ever beat Edgar, and he'll get his chance to do it again at UFC 130.
3) Gilbert Melendez
"El Nino" brought the thunder in his Strikeforce: Nashville bout with Shinya Aoki. He retained his Strikeforce Lightweight title and escaped with all his limbs intact. Melendez showed good boxing and poise when trapped in one of the most dangerous guards in MMA.
As for his next opponent, Melendez has recently expressed interest in fighting Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez, but the Strikeforce promotion seems disinterested in co-promoting with Bellator.
He could end up facing Tatsuya Kawajiri at Strikeforce: Japan on April 9.
4) Shinya Aoki
The fight may not have counted towards his MMA record, but Shinya Aoki certainly didn't help his chances in attaining a rematch with Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez at Dynamite!! 2010.
Aoki faced Yuichiro Nagashima in a special rules exhibition bout that included a round of Kickboxing rules and a round of MMA rules. In the MMA round, Nagashima anticipated the double leg takedown and delivered a flying knee that put the DREAM Lightweight Champion to sleep.
5) Eddie Alvarez
Despite Roger Huerta's recent struggles, no one makes him look as easy as Eddie Alvarez did at Bellator 33.
After getting battered on the feet for two rounds, Huerta was unable to continue in the third. This victory marked Alvarez's sixth straight since losing to Shinya Aoki in December 2008.
Recently, there has been plenty of jawing amongst Alvarez and Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez. While Bellator has expressed a willingness to co-promote, Strikeforce doesn't share the same sentiment.
Alvarez is expected to defend his Bellator Lightweight Title for the first time against Bellator Season Two Lightweight Tournament Winner Pat Curran on April 2.
6) Sean Sherk
After a year hiatus, the "Muscle Shark" returned to form in his UFC 119 split decision victory over Evan Dunham. It was a gritty bout that forced Sherk to rely heavily on his grappling.
Despite the controversy surrounding the decision, it was a great victory over a promising prospect. When his grappling is at the forefront, Sherk remains a handful for any Lightweight.
7) Kenny Florian - In his UFC 118 loss to Gray Maynard, Florian continues to show struggles in the wrestling department. Wrestling isn't the only issue facing the Peruvian.
Despite being a black belt in BJJ, Florian had a hard time putting together any offense from his back. Since the loss, he has hired a wrestling coach and changed up his training regimen.
Florian was scheduled to face Evan Dunham at Fight for the Troops 2, but a knee injury forced him to withdraw from the bout.
At UFC 131, he'll join the featherweight ranks in hopes of securing a superfight with Jose Aldo, and rising featherweight Diego Nunes will serve as the welcoming committee.
8) Jim Miller
While bigger names continue to bask in the lightweight spotlight, Jim Miller is quietly making a case for a UFC title shot.
Currently on a six-fight win streak, Miller's MMA record stands at 9-2, with his only two losses coming to Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. He has a tough test ahead of him at UFC 128 against Iranian grappler Kamal Shalorus.
9) Tatsuya Kawajiri
At Dynamite!! 2010, Tatsuya Kawajiri continued to prove why his style of fighting could make for a smooth transition in the states. For three rounds, he dominated former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson en route to a unanimous decision.
It looks like "The Crusher" will get a shot at Strikeforce gold on April 2 when he meets Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez.
10) Anthony Pettis - People may call him "Showtime", but fans may have to start calling him Neo after the Matrix-like kick Anthony Pettis delivered on Ben Henderson at WEC 53.
Pettis ended his WEC tenure on a high note by securing his first major MMA title, making the SportsCenter Top Ten, and earning a UFC title shot.
The latter has recently been clouded in uncertainty as there was no clear-cut winner in the UFC 125 championship bout between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.
Instead of waiting for a title shot, Pettis is looking to stay warm in a "TUF" 13 Finale bout against Clay Guida. He won't have to worry about staying warm. A bout against Guida is more like a heat stroke.
Featherweight (145-Pound Limit)
6 of 7
1) Jose Aldo - The technical brilliance consistently shown by Jose Aldo is unbelievable. He picks his opponents apart mentally before doing so physically. At WEC 51, he defeated another top featherweight challenger in "TUF" Season 5 finalist Manny Gamburyan.
Despite only two defenses under his belt, Aldo is quickly cleaning out the featherweight division. He was set to face Josh Grispi at UFC 125, but a neck injury forced him to withdraw from the bout.
At UFC 129, he'll make his anticipated return and defend his newly-acquired UFC title for the first time against Mark Hominick.
2) Manny Gamburyan - Oh Manny...Oh Manny...Oh Manny. After flailing a taunt reminiscent of the Diaz brothers, Gamburyan found himself on the wrong end of a Jose Aldo bomb that had him scrambling for his senses.
On the ground, Aldo finished the fight with a barrage of vicious uppercuts. It was a disappointing loss for Gamburyan in a bout where he really struggled to find his range. He was expected to make his UFC return at UFC 128 against Raphael Assuncao, but a back injury has forced him off the card.
3) Chad Mendes - Chad "Money" Mendes continued his flawless ways at UFC 126, where he took a unanimous decision win over top ten ranked veteran Michihiro Omigawa. His improved hands and world class wrestling makes him an interesting match-up for current Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. If Kenny Florian isn't impressive in his featherweight debut, Mendes could be on deck for a title shot.
4) Diego Nunes - While the world looks the other way, Diego Nunes is quietly climbing into UFC title contention. With two victories over top ten opposition, Nunes has yet to be featured on a UFC or WEC main card. He took the biggest victory of his career at UFC 125 with a split decision win over former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown, who was previously ranked at number three. In June, Nunes gets to welcome former two-time lightweight title contender Kenny Florian to the featherweight division.
5) Michihiro Omigawa - Michihiro Omigawa's five fight win streak and UFC return was spoiled by Team Alpha Male member Chad Mendes at UFC 126. The talk heading into the bout was how Omigawa would be able to deal with Mendes' takedowns and top control. It was a disappointing loss for the 35-year-old Japanese native, who has bested some of the best featherweights in the world. He'll get a chance to redeem himself at UFC 131 when he takes on Darren Elkins.
6) Hatsu Hioki - Hatsu Hioki reminded fans that he was the man to beat after defeating Marlon Sandro at Soul of Fight for the Sengoku Featherweight Title. With the win, Hioki moves to 11-1-1 in his last 13 fights. His first title defense could come against Yoshiro Maeda, who is fresh off a first round TKO stoppage over former Featherweight Champion Masanori Kanehara.
7) Hiroyuki Takaya - At Dynamite!! 2010, Hiroyuki Takaya killed two birds with one stone by defeating Bibiano Fernandes to avenge a previous loss and become the new Dream Featherweight Champion. There wasn't a split verdict this time out as all three judges saw the bout in Takaya's favor. Could a rubber match be next on the cards, or will the Dream promotion look to move in a another direction with its newly crowned champion?
8) Bibiano Fernandes - After securing only one successful title defense, Bibiano Fernandes' reign as Dream Featherweight Champion came to an end at Dynamite!! 2010 against Hiroyuki Takaya. The loss marks Fernandes' first in over three years. It'll be interesting to see if Dream sets up an immediate rematch with Takaya, who lost a split decision to Fernandes in October 2009.
9) Marlon Sandro - The potential is definitely there, but some of the hype surrounding Marlon Sandro may have been a bit hasty. At Soul of Fight, Sandro lost his Sengoku Featherweight Title in convincing fashion to top ten ranked opponent Hatsu Hioki. We'll see if the Brazilian can get back on track to being the dominant featherweight many believe he can be. On February 23, Sandro signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator Fighting Championships.
10) Joe Warren - Joe Warren capped off an impressive 2010 year with a KO victory over Joe Soto at Bellator 27 for the Bellator Featherweight Championship. Currently on a four-fight win streak, the self-proclaimed "baddest man on the planet" is looking to keep the momentum rolling into 2011. With Bellator Season Four still in the works, a return to Japan under the Dream banner isn't out of the question.
Bantamweight (135-Pound Limit)
7 of 7
1) Dominick Cruz - Dominick Cruz continued his impressive streak of dominance in his WEC 53 routing of top contender Scott Jorgensen. The victory was a historical moment in the sport as Cruz became the first ever UFC Bantamweight Champion.
After the win, Cruz expressed interest in his first UFC title defense being against the only man to defeat him, "The California Kid" Urijah Faber. The long-awaited rematch won't happen anytime soon.
Cruz is scheduled to undergo surgery for an injury to his left index finger that could keep him sidelined until summer 2011.
2) Joseph Benavidez - At WEC 52, Joseph Benavidez bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to Dominick Cruz by submitting BJJ black belt Wagnney Fabiano. It was a solid performance to end his WEC tenure as he prepares to step up to the bright lights of the UFC. Having lost to Cruz twice, it will be a long wait for Benavidez in securing another bantamweight title shot.
Things get even trickier with Urijah Faber, Benavidez's training partner, entering the fold. A bout between the two is highly unlikely, and it could put Benavidez in a tough spot should Faber win the title. Benavidez will make his UFC debut at UFC 128 against Ian Loveland.
3) Brian Bowles - Déjà vu is the perfect term to describe former WEC Bantamweight Champion Brian Bowles' first round submission win over Damacio Page at UFC on Versus 3. A little over two years ago, he submitted Page in the second round with the same submission, a guillotine choke. After being on the shelf for a year with multiple injuries, Bowles is back in the mix for the bantamweight title.
4) Miguel Torres - Since joining trainer Firas Zahabi at Tristar Gym, former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres has taken his game to another level. The hasty, overaggressive slugger from long ago has refined his game with improved technical efficiency and a more methodical approach.
In the WEC's swan song, Torres defeated Charlie Valencia. Afterwards, he made his UFC debut at UFC 126, where he defeated Antonio Banuelos by unanimous decision. A tough bout against Brad Pickett lies ahead for the former champion at UFC 130.
5) Scott Jorgensen - After finally securing a shot at WEC/UFC gold, Scott Jorgensen ran into a brick wall in UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz at WEC 53. It was a disappointing loss for Jorgensen, who was riding a five fight win streak.
He shouldn't keep his head down for long after putting up a valiant effort against a man many consider one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. It's a new year, and fans can look forward to "Young Guns" making noise on the big stage. He is expected to face Ken Stone at the "TUF" 13 Finale.
6) Urijah Faber - The first few moments of Urijah Faber's Bantamweight debut seemed rocky against Takeya Mizugaki. It was a competitive fight that seemed to favor Mizugaki early. In the end, "The California Kid" locked up a rear naked choke in the final seconds of the first round to take the first major step in his march towards bantamweight supremacy. Faber is set to make his anticipated UFC debut at UFC 128 against Eddie Wineland.
7) Takeya Mizugaki - Takeya Mizugaki nearly slipped in his UFC debut against Reuben Duran. At UFC on Versus 3, two judges gave Mizugaki the split decision nod, but the victory was far from impressive. Inconsistencies continue to haunt the Japanese fighter, who is 3-3 in his last six fights. Mizugaki will have to improve if he hopes to climb the bantamweight hierarchy.
8) Brad Pickett - Brad Pickett is a name often overlooked in the Bantamweight division. In his last 11 bouts, Pickett has compiled a record of 10-1, with the one loss coming to former title contender Scott Jorgensen. He took a unanimous decision win over Ivan Menjivar at WEC 53. The UFC is currently mulling over the possibility of matching Pickett with former champion Miguel Torres at UFC 130. An impressive performance against a world class fighter like Torres could put the entire division on notice.
9) Masakatsu Ueda - Masakatsu Ueda continued his road to redemption with a submission win over Ralph Acosta. This marks his second consecutive victory since losing the Shooto Featherweight Title to Shuichiro Katsumura in March 2010. Ueda's next bout could come against Russian grappler Farkhad "Frank" Sharipov, who was initially scheduled to face Ueda at Shootor's Legacy 1.
10) Demetrious Johnson - Demetrious Johnson should be nicknamed "spoiler". At WEC 52, he spoiled the return of former top ten Bantamweight Damacio Page with a third round submission victory. As great as that win was, it couldn't compare to his convincing UFC 126 unanimous decision win over Japanese legend and UFC newcomer Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto. Johnson's next taste of big stage action will be at the "TUF" 13 Finale against Renan Barao.
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