MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings (Updated 3-24-2011)

The meteoric rise of Jon "Bones" Jones has been intriguing to watch.

At UFC 128, he became the youngest title holder in UFC history after brutally stopping former light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the third round.

Rua seemed completely lost throughout the fight, as Jones used his unique striking and world-class wrestling to dominate in all areas.

With the victory, Jones makes his debut in the pound-for-pound rankings, while Rua takes his leave.

Meanwhile, Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva continue to battle over the top spot.

Who takes the pound-for-pound throne in this edition of the top ten rankings?

(SportsHaze.com Original)

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10) Gray Maynard

Lightweight contender Gray Maynard met a tougher than expected Frankie Edgar at UFC 125.

After an incredible first round, Maynard suddenly found himself in a dog fight with the tenacious champion. In the end, the bout was ruled a draw, and the immediate rematch has been set for UFC 130.

9) Cain Velasquez

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC fighter Cain Velasquez (top) battles with UFC fighter Ben Rothwell (bottom) during their Heavyweight bout at UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Ko

Cain Velasquez's destruction of former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 was an eye-opening experience for doubters. Size isn't everything.

Velasquez's incredible conditioning, improved striking, and dominant wrestling makes him a nightmare opponent for any man.

Unfortunately, a torn rotator cuff could keep him out of action until Fall 2011.

8) Dominick Cruz

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LAS VEGAS - FEBRUARY 15: UFC fighter Dominick Cruz arrives at UFC, Famous Stars and Straps and New Era's 'The Magic Party' at XS the nightclub on February 15, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)

UFC Champion Dominick Cruz has brought stability back to the bantamweight division.

Recently, he has defeated various upper-echelon opponents including Joseph Benavidez, Brian Bowles and Scott Jorgensen. His first UFC title defense will be a rematch against former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber.

With a professional record of 17-1, Cruz's only loss came to Faber back in March 2007 at 145 pounds.

7) Jon Jones

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LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: (R-L) Jon Jones connects with a right punch on Jake O'Brein during their light heavyweight bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jones defeated O'Brein by second round tapout. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Jon Jones' mind-blowing performance against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua impressed even pound-for-pound great Anderson Silva.

According to Silva, Jones is "amazing" and the "best in his category". He expects Jones to be "champion for a long time".

Based off Jones' UFC 128 performance, it's hard to disagree with Silva.

6) Jake Shields

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HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 17: Strikeforce World Middleweight Champion Jake Shields attends the CBS' Strikeforce MMA Fighters Open Media Workout on March 17, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Regardless of how he wins, Jake Shields always finds a way to come out on top. He hasn't lost a fight in over six years.

Casual fans aren't too familiar with Shields, who has been overshadowed by UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre.

This could all change on April 30, as Shields finally gets the opportunity to step from the shadows and vie for greatness in a championship bout against St-Pierre at UFC 129.

5) Jon Fitch

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: Jon Fitch of the USA looks across the octagon at BJ Penn of the USA before the start of their welterweight bout part of UFC 127 at Acer Arena on February 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Jon Fitch may not be the most exciting fighter in the world, according to some fans, but no one can deny his incredible work effort and accomplishments in the sport.

Since entering the UFC, Fitch has compiled a record of 13-1-1, with the one loss coming to welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

He recently drew even in a back and forth bout with former champion B.J. Penn. The rematch is scheduled for UFC 132.

4) Frankie Edgar

Even though the bout ended in a draw, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard became stars at UFC 125.

After getting dropped several times in the opening round, Edgar showed an unbelievable amount of heart in battling back and going the distance with Maynard.

The immediate rematch is set for May 28.

3) Jose Aldo

Since his WEC debut in June 2008, fans have watched in awe as Jose Aldo completely crippled the featherweight division.

There were talks of the Brazilian moving up to lightweight, but those rumors have ceased with the sudden growth of the 145-pound division.

As the UFC Featherweight Champion, Aldo faces a plethora of challengers including Mark Hominick, Chad Mendes, Kenny Florian and Tyson Griffin.

2) Anderson Silva

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CHICAGO- OCTOBER 25: Anderson Silva prepares before the Middleweight Title Bout at UFC's Ultimate Fight Night at Allstate Arena on October 25, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Anderson Silva's vicious front-kick to Vitor Belfort at UFC 126 was like something out of a movie.

Many expected a war between the two Brazilians, but Silva barely broke a sweat in the supposed superfight.

Fans are hoping for a dream bout between Silva and Georges St-Pierre, but the most likely scenario pairs the middleweight champion with former foe Yushin Okami.

1) Georges St-Pierre

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NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Georges St-Pierre of Montreal, Quebec, Canada speaks at a press conference for UFC 111 at Radio City Music Hall on March 24, 2010 in New York City. St-Pierre will face Dan Hardy of Nottingham UK in the Welterweight title bout. (Pho

The pound-for-pound debate can be argued forever. You can't go wrong with Georges St. Pierre or Anderson Silva atop the MMA hierarchy, but the French-Canadian gets the nod in this edition of the pound-for-pound rankings.

Fresh off his UFC 124 drubbing of Josh Koscheck, St. Pierre hasn't even lost a round in over three years. Unless you gave Koscheck a round in his first meeting with St. Pierre, some would even expand that time frame to four years.

St. Pierre will have the opportunity to cement his placement when he meets fellow pound-for-pound standout Jake Shields at UFC 129.