Gilbert Melendez, Nick Diaz and the Top 50 Fighters under ZUFFA

Who are the best fighters that UFC parent company ZUFFA, LLC has access to?

Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez and Nick Diaz defended their Strikeforce belts on April 9th for the first major Strikeforce event under the new ZUFFA, LLC ownership.

Although only the second biggest brand in mixed martial arts, Melendez and Diaz staked their claim as some of the finest fighters competing in MMA.

Now, the vast majority of top fighters compete under a single company's umbrella.

Here is a list of the top 50 of those fighters across all weight divisions.

It is important to remember that styles decide fights more than anything and rankings are rapidly changing and tumultuous.

bantamweight: 135lbs

featherweight: 145lbs

lightweight: 155lbs

welterweight: 170lbs

middleweight: 185lbs

light heavyweight: 205lbs

heavyweight: 265lbs

50. Michihiro Omigawa

Omigawa surged up the featherweight rankings by taking out top ranked fighters Hatsu Hioki and Marlon Sandro, amidst other impressive victories.

Most recently, Omigawa fell short against Chad Mendes in his return to the UFC.

What's next: Darren Elkins at UFC 131

49. Paul Daley

Daley just fell short against Nick Diaz in his bid for the Strikeforce welterweight championship but came closer to finishing Diaz than anyone in recent memory.

One of the premiere strikers in the sport, Daley seems to just barely come up short when rising to the top.

What's next: Daley's sordid past with the UFC makes his future with ZUFFA very uncertain. Hopefully, he can jump back on the horse against top competition. 

48. Frank Mir

Frank Mir has been impressive in the UFC heavyweight division, except against dominating wrestlers Shane Carwin and Brock Lesnar.

The losses set him back, but Mir has the tools to claw back to No. 1 contender status.

What's next: Roy Nelson at UFC 130

47. Diego Nunes

At 16-1, Diego Nunes had the biggest victory of his career by earning a split-decision victory over former featherweight champion Mike Brown.

What's next: Kenny Florian at UFC 131

46. Carlos Condit

Longtime top-10 level fighter Carlos Condit had the biggest win of his UFC career by knocking out former No. 1 contender Dan Hardy.

The young and exciting prospect looks to continue battling through the toughest names in the division.

What's next: Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 132

45. Forrest Griffin

Fan-favorite and former champion Griffin is coming off of two consecutive decision victories over fellow former champions.

His smart game plan against Rich Franklin showed that Griffin still has what it takes to not just be exciting but come away with meaningful victories.

What's next: There are plenty of young, upcoming fighters in the light heavyweight division to match him up with. A win over one of those men would make him a contender again.

44. Vitor Belfor

The superstar and former champion reignited his career by becoming a middleweight and stringing together impressive knockout victories.

Vitor suffered from time away from competition in 2010, then suffered a brutal defeat to middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

What's next: Hopefully, Belfort will be more active in the coming years and take some of the division's best.

43. Fedor Emelianenko

The best fighter in the history of the sport has stumbled in his last two fights.

Although he would say otherwise, he is simply too small to remain dominant in the heavyweight division.

What's next: A rumored super-fight between Emelianenko and 205lbs Dan Henderson makes all the sense in the world. An attempt to move down a division is the best possible move for Fedor going forward.

42. Shane Carwin

Carwin is a juggernaut who looked nearly unbeatable coming off of victories over Gabriel Gonzaga and Frank Mir.

In his fight against Brock Lesnar for the championship, however, Carwin went to the second round for the first time in his career and ended up getting stopped.

What's next: Jon Olav Einemo at UFC 131

41. Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis won the WEC lightweight championship by defeating highly-regarded Ben Henderson.  

Since the WEC was absorbed by the UFC, Pettis became the immediate No. 1 contender but was forced back on the shelf when the champion fought to a draw and an immediate rematch was scheduled.

What's next: Deciding to stay active, Pettis will face fellow contender Clay Guida at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale.

40. Miguel Torres

The former bantamweight champion looked unbeatable before suffering back-to-back defeats to Brian Bowles and Joseph Benavidez.

Like a true warrior, Torres rebounded with two victories over very well-respected opposition.

What's next: Brad Picket at UFC 130

39. Manvel Gamburyan

Gamburyan moved down to featherweight in 2009 and proceeded to win three fights in a row, including a knockout victory over former champion Mike Brown.

After the fight with Brown, Gamburyan challenged champion Jose Aldo but was defeated by knockout.

What's next: Tyson Griffin at UFC on Versus: 4.

38. Mark Hominick

Hominick has won five fights in a row, with his last being an impressive first round TKO over George Roop.

Now the No. 1 contender for Jose Aldo's featherweight championship, Hominick looks to bring his name into the sport's spotlight.

What's next: Jose Aldo at UFC 129

37. Kenny Florian

A perennial contender at lightweight, Kenny Florian has decided to drop down a division and pursue his championship ambitions at featherweight.

What's next: Diego Nunes at UFC 131

36. Nick Diaz

Nick Diaz has looked phenomenal in the Strikeforce organization, becoming one of the most highly-regarded fighters in the sport.

A former lightweight, Diaz is hitting his stride as a welterweight but has not received the kind of tests he would be in the UFC.

What's next: A move to the UFC welterweight division would be the most exciting for fans, but ideological differences between him and the organization will probably be an obstacle.

35. Jim Miller

Lightweight powerhouse Jim Miller has been on a tear through the UFC, with his only loss in the organization coming to current No. 1 contender Gray Maynard.

The only other loss on his record is to the current champion. Miller has said he aims for the championship and a chance to avenge either loss.

What's next: Miller deserves a meaningful matchup to put himself in line for the title. A rematch against whoever the loser is in Edgar vs. Maynard III would make sense.

34. Dan Henderson

The legend looked out of condition against Jake Shields but rebounded with impressive knockout victories over top competition.

What's next: Hopefully, a superfight with fellow legend and PRIDE veteran, Fedor Emelianenko.

33. Brian Bowles

In his first attempted title defense of the bantamweight championship, Brian Bowles succumbed to Dominick Cruz.

Bowles rebounded with a victory over Damacio Page and confirmed his role as a top dog in the division.

What's next: Bowles presumably wants to get the title back and will be looking for any top contenders to get fast-tracked to a title shot. 

32. Demian Maia

After losing a decision in his title shot against middleweight champion Anderson Silva, Maia got right back to work and picked up two victories before the end of 2010.

As one of the sport's premiere submission specialist, Maia continues to put on compelling fights against the best in world.

What's next: Mark Munoz at UFC 131

31. Josh Koscheck

Josh Koscheck lost against dominant champion Georges St-Pierre last December and suffered a fractured orbital bone in the process.

Despite his losses, Koscheck is one of the most proven competitors in the UFC. 

What's next: Any number of top fighters. He would make for a great litmus test should Nick Diaz come to the UFC.

30. Ronaldo Souza

After winning the Strikeforce middleweight championship by defeating Tim Kennedy, Souza defended his belt with an impressive rear-naked choke over Robbie Lawler.

Souza works hard to round out his game, but his grappling prowess remains his most important asset.

What's next: Likely another title defense but against whom remains speculative.

29. Lyoto Machida

Machida won the light heavyweight championship and looked like he would rule the division for the foreseeable future but was usurped by Mauricio Rua.

Although he lost a split decision to Quinton Jackson in his first fight after losing the belt, Machida remains a top contender in the stacked division.

What's next: Randy Couture at UFC 129

28. Quinton Jackson

Quinton Jackson has remained in and around his division's top five during his time in the UFC but has forfeited his dominance in close decision losses to Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans.

What's next: Matt Hamill at UFC 130

27. Antonio Silva

Antonio Silva fulfilled his potential as a top heavyweight by battering and defeating the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix quarterfinals.

Now carrying the weight of real notoriety for the first time, Silva will look to build on his momentum.

What's next: The winner of Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum

26. Nate Marquardt

A perennial top contender, Nate Marquardt has struggled to regain top contender status since receiving a title shot in 2007 and losing to Anderson Silva.

What's next: Any number of high-profile fighters or top contenders.

25. Thiago Alves

Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Aug. 7, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; UFC fighter Thiago Alves (right) against Jon Fitch during the welterweight bout in UFC 117 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

After suffering consecutive defeats to Georges St-Pierre and Jon Fitch, Alves returned to form nicely with an impressive victory over John Howard.

What's next: Rick Story at UFC 130

24. Alistair Overeem

A simultaneous champion in kickboxing and MMA, Alistair Overeem has emerged as one of the premiere heavyweights in the world.

He has been dominant the past several years but not faced the level of competition he would have had he been in the UFC.

Now that he is committing to MMA, the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix is a good place for him to shine.

What's next: Fabricio Werdum at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum

23. Fabricio Werdum

Although he looked complacent in a knockout loss to Junior Dos Santos, Werdum has rebounded to top form within Strikeforce.

Now, he is riding three straight wins, including a landmark upset over Fedor Emelianenko last summer.

What's next: Alistair Overeem at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum

22. Joseph Benavidez

Benavidez looks practically unstoppable save for his close wars against current bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

What's next: Benavidez might not fight his friend Urijah Faber should Faber win the bantamweight championship, but Benavidez should stick at the top of the pack fighting top contenders.

21. Chad Mendes

Undefeated Chad Mendes has been storming up the rankings with his last victory being over Michihiro Omigawa.

What's next: Despite a little bit of a logjam of contenders, Mendes should only be one fight away from a title shot.

20. Shinya Aoki

Since losing to Gilbert Melendez last year, Aoki has accrued four straight wins, including three by first-round submission.

Although only 27 years old, Aoki remains one of the top lightweight fighters in the sport.

What's next: Aoki's intentions and future are uncertain as he has shown a preference for fighting in Japan.

19. Brock Lesnar

Former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar proved his mettle in consecutive successful title defenses against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin.

In an exciting first round against No. 1 contender Cain Velasquez, Lesnar succumbed to a striking onslaught and relinquished his title.

Lesnar is now on a mission to regain the title.

What's Next: Junior Dos Santos at UFC 131

18. Chael Sonnen

Sonnen took the middleweight division by storm with victories over Yushin Okami and Nate Marquardt, and a dominating but unsuccessful performance against Anderson Silva for the championship.

In the aftermath of his title fight, Sonnen has been battling performance-enhancing drugs quagmires and a money laundering scandal.

What's next: Buzz supports a matchup against rising Brit Michael Bisping.  

17. Rashad Evans

Since losing the light heavyweight championship, Rashad Evans has won two straight but looked vulnerable at times.

With the two big victories, Evans earns the chance to win the championship back.

What's next: Evans will be facing his former friend and teammate Jon Jones for the light heavyweight championship at a yet to be determined event.

16. Yushin Okami

Already with an impressive record in the UFC, Yushin Okami earned his first title shot with a victory over perennial contender Nate Marquardt last November.

The methodical Japanese standout is the last person to have a victory over champion Anderson Silva, but it was by way of disqualification back in early 2006.

What's next: Nothing is set, but rumors are Okami vs. Silva at the historic UFC event in Rio De Janeiro. 

15. Junior Dos Santos

Junior Dos Santos knocked out Fabricio Werdum back in 2008 in one of the best UFC debuts in history.

Since then, he has torn through the heavyweight division, earning five more victories, and only one making it to a decision.

What's next: Brock Lesnar at UFC 131

14. Mauricio Rua

Last year, Rua knocked out the previously undefeated Lyoto Machida to become the light heavyweight division champion.

In his first title defense, however, Rua would lose to rising superstar, Jon Jones.

What's next: There are many options, but a rematch against Quinton Jackson seems compelling.

13. Urijah Faber

The former featherweight champion has rejuvenated his career with a move down to bantamweight.

With two victories over high-level competition, Urijah Faber is now the bantamweight No. 1 contender.

What makes the matchup more interesting, is that Faber is the only man to have defeated the current champion, Dominick Cruz.

What's next: Dominick Cruz at UFC 132

12. BJ Penn

Penn was a dominant champion at lightweight before losing consecutive fights to current champion Frank Edgar.

Since then, Penn has moved up a division. At welterweight Penn knocked out his rival Matt Hughes and fought to a draw against top contender Jon Fitch.

What's next: A rematch with Fitch was cancelled due to injury, but the rematch may just be postponed to a later date.

11. Jon Fitch

After losing his title fight to Georges St-Pierre in 2008, Fitch has continued to wrack up win after win in the welterweight division.

In his last fight, however, Fitch fought to a draw against the legendary BJ Penn, despite the fact that Fitch definitively starting taking control in the third round.

What's next: Likely a rematch with BJ Penn

10. Gray Maynard

Gray Maynard posses an impressive undefeated record but fought to a draw in his title fight against Frank Edgar.

Maynard had defeated Edgar a few years earlier, but these two will have to fight for a third time to see who takes control of the lightweight division.

What's next: Frankie Edgar at UFC 130

9. Gilbert Melendez

The two losses on Melendez's record have been avenged, and he makes a strong case for himself as the best lightweight in the world.

His last fight was a destruction of highly-regarded Tatsuya Kawajiri in a defense of his Strikeforce lightweight championship.

What's next: He would like a title unification with the UFC, but he may have to defend his belt once more before the UFC is ready for that.

8. Jake Shields

Competing at both welterweight and middleweight, Jake Shields has won 15 straight fights, with the biggest win being a decisive decision victory over the legendary Dan Henderson.

Now competing in the UFC's welterweight division, Shields looks to claim his legacy by taking out the dominant champion.

What's next: Georges St-Pierre at UFC 129

7. Dominick Cruz

Since becoming the bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz has looked good in defending his title in two subsequent bouts.

In his next fight he will get the opportunity to avenge the only loss of his career.

What's next: Urijah Faber at UFC 132

6. Jon Jones

Jon Jones proved the hype behind him was legitimate when he dominated Mauricio Rua to become the youngest UFC champion in history.

What's next: His first light heavyweight title defense against former champion, friend and training partner, Rashad Evans.

5. Cain Velasquez

Undefeated Cain Velasquez became the UFC heavyweight champion with a stirring first-round TKO victory over Brock Lesnar.

What's next: The winner of Junior Dos Santos vs. Brock Lesnar at UFC 131

4. Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar became the UFC lightweight champion by defeating BJ Penn, and then, in an immediate rematch, defeated Penn again but more decisively.

In his last fight against Gray Maynard, Edgar fought through tremendous initial adversity to earn a draw from the judges' decision.

What's next: An immediate rematch with Gray Maynard at UFC 130

3. Jose Aldo

Since wresting the featherweight championship from Mike Brown, Jose Aldo has continued his dominance in two consecutive title defenses.

What's next: Mark Hominick at UFC 129

2. Georges St-Pierre

Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Jan. 31, 2009; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFC fighter Georges St-Pierre during the post fight press conference after defeating B.J. Penn (not pictured) during the welterweight championship in UFC 94 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. St-Pierre defeated Penn with

St-Pierre defeated Josh Koscheck to claim his fifth title defense and continue his run of dominance over the welterweight division.

What's next: St-Pierre will attempt to defend his championship against welterweight powerhouse Jake Shields at UFC 129. If successful, a superfight with Anderson Silva has been speculated.

1. Anderson Silva

Although he looked particularly vulnerable in his title defense against Chael Sonnen, Silva returned to his awe-inspiring and dominant ways with a spectacular knockout over Vitor Belfort.

What's next: A title defense against Yushin Okami is rumored for the UFC event in Brazil, but superfights are always an option when it comes to Anderson.