UFC 131: Power Ranking Every Fighter on the Card

UFC 131 was originally set to be one of the biggest cards of the year, but and injuries to Brock Lesnar, Mac Danzig, and a host of other fighters has weakened the card considerably.

But in typical UFC fashion, Joe Silva gave us enough to remain interested in the card, with a nice mixture of high-profile fighters, prospects, and unknown newcomers.

With the lack of a true star on the card, it feels like more an ensemble of fighters and made ranking these guys far more interesting.

24. Jason Young

Notable fights: Paul Sass (Loss)

Making his UFC debut, Jason Young is the latest British prospect to get the call to fight in the UFC, and he has a huge test in his debut in top ten featherweight Dustin Poirier.

23. Darren Elkins

Notable Fights: Pat Curran (Win) Charles Oliveira (Loss)

After two fights inside the Octagon, we’ve seen less than two total minutes of Darren Elkins, as he has won a fight by injury in 44 seconds and lost by submission in 41 seconds to Charles Oliveira.

He’ll likely need a win over Michihiro Omigawa in his 145-pound debut.

22. Aaron Rosa

Notable Fights: Abe Wagner (Win) Rafael Cavalcante (Loss)

A heavyweight who has finished 10 of his 16 career fights, Aaron Rosa has fought for Strikeforce, Bellator and Titan FC and is now finally making his UFC debut.

He is currently on a four-fight win streak, with a win over TUF 10 contestant Abe Wagner in his last bout.

21. James Head

Notable Fights: Gerald Harris (Win) Jessie Forbes (Loss)

Coming off the biggest win of his career, a decision over Gerald Harris, James Head makes his promotional debut this weekend.

With a 7-1 record, and six of those wins by stoppage, Head adds another exciting fighter to the middleweight division.

20. Nick Ring

Notable Fights: Riki Fukada (Win)

After an impressive showing on TUF 11 was cut short by a knee injury, Nick Ring finally made his UFC debut back in February at UFC 127, winning a controversial decision against Riki Fukada.

Ring is still a few wins away from being near contention at 185, but a victory over James Head would help relieve some pressure.

19. Mike Massenzio

Notable Fights: Dan Miller (Win) CB Dollaway (Loss) Brian Stann (Loss)

After going 1-2 in his first UFC stint with a win over Drew McFredries, Mike Massenzio returns to the Octagon on short notice at UFC 131, replacing Igor Pokrajac to fight Krzysztof Soszynski. 

18. Vagner Rocha

Notable Fights: Igor Gracie (Win)

A submission specialist making his UFC debut, Vagner Rocha is stepping in for an injured Mac Danzig and fighting Donald Cerrone on the main card this weekend. 

18. Joey Beltran

Notable Fights: Houston Alexander (Win) Pat Barry (Loss)

With his last two fights ending in unanimous decision losses to Pat Barry and Matt Mitrione, Joey Beltran is likely fighting for his UFC life when he takes on Aaron Rosa on Saturday.

16. Jessie Bongfeldt

Notable Fights: Sean Pierson (Win) TJ Grant (Win)

A veteran of the Canadian fight scene, Jesse Bongfeldt is looking for his first UFC win this weekend.

After fighting to a draw with Rafael Natal in his UFC debut, Bongfeldt has a tough task ahead of him in highly regarded prospect Chris Weidman.

15. Michihiro Omigawa

Notable Fights: Hatsu Hioki (Win) Marlon Sandro (Win) Chad Mendes (Loss)

With an 8-3-1 record since dropping to 145, Michihiro Omigama is has been hugely successful outside of the UFC, but has a 0-3 record inside the Octagon.

If he loses to Darren Elkins this weekend, Joe Silva may send him packing once again.

14. Krzysztof Soszynski

Notable Fights: Stephan Bonnar (Win, Loss) Brian Stann (Win)

After losing in the semi-finals on TUF 8, Krzysztof Soszynski got his shot inside the Octagon at the finale and hasn’t looked back, going 5-2.

Soszynski is looking to move up in the light heavyweight rankings and get a shot at a contender.

13. Jon Olav Einemo

Notable Fights: James Thompson (Win) Fabricio Werdum (Loss)

Somehow Einemo got himself a fight in the UFC after taking almost five years off, and was set to fight Shane Carwin before Carwin stepped into the main event for Brock Lesnar.

Now Einemo is set to fight heavyweight prospect Dave Herman on the main card this weekend.

12. Chris Weidman

Notable Fights: Alessio Sakara (Win)

One of the top prospects in the middleweight division, and maybe even MMA, Chris Weidmann is stepping in on short notice for the second time in two fights when he takes on Jessie Bongfeldt.

11. Sam Stout

Notable Fights: Matt Wiman (Win) Joe Lauzon (Win)

A fighter who is undoubtedly on the Fight of the Night Mount Rushmore, Sam Stout shows up and gives the fan an inspired performance every time out.

With a technical striking battle on the way with Yves Edwards, this weekend could lead to Stout’s sixth FOTN award.

10. Yves Edwards

Notable Fights: Josh Thomson (Win) KJ Noons (Loss)

A true veteran of the sport, Yves Edwards has been in and out of the UFC since 2001.

The master of ‘Thugjitsu’ is now into the third fight of his UFC comeback, and a win over Sam Stout would solidify him as a contender at 155. 

9. Dave Herman

Notable Fights: Don Frye (Win) Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Loss)

On a card packed with heavyweight finishers, Dave Herman sticks out with his 19 finishes in 20 fights. One of the top prospects in the heavyweight division, Herman is making his UFC debut.

8. Dustin Poirier

Notable Fights: Josh Grispi (Win) Danny Castillo (Loss)

After defeating Josh Grispi at UFC 125, Dustin Poirier saw his stock skyrocket and is now considered to be a legit top ten fighter at 145.

Originally set to fight Rani Yahya, Poirier was in a title eliminator bout before Yahya was forced out and is now set to fight newcomer Jason Young.

7. Donald Cerrone

Notable Fights: Ben Henderson (Loss, Loss) Jamie Varner (Win, Loss)

One of the best lightweights to come over in the WEC merger, Donald Cerrone has already made his mark in the UFC, winning the FOTN award on a stacked UFC 126 card earlier this year.

Another fighter who has been put in a battle with an unknown making his promotional debut, Cerrone needs a win to stay afloat in the lightweight division.

6. Diego Nunes

Notable Fights: Raphael Assuncao (Win) Mike Brown (Win)

Fresh off the biggest win of his career, Diego Nunes is likely a win away from a title shot if he can get past Kenny Florian on Saturday.

It will be interesting to see if he will fight teammate Jose Aldo if he earns his shot at the belt.

5. Mark Munoz

Notable Fights: Kendall Grove (Win) CB Dollaway (Win)

One of the best wrestlers in a deep middleweight division, Mark Munoz is working up the 185-pound ladder for the second time after a setback to Yushin Okami last summer.

His bout against Demian Maia is a classic wrestling vs. BJJ fight, and it could give us the next contender for Anderson Silva’s title.

4. Kenny Florian

Notable Fights: BJ Penn (Loss) Clay Guida (Win) Gray Maynard (Loss)

After missing out on numerous chances to hold the lightweight title, Kenny Florian is moving down to featherweight to get a chance at Jose Aldo’s belt.

Before he takes on Aldo, he’ll have to get past another Blackhouse team member, Diego Nunes.

3. Demian Maia

Notable Fights: Chael Sonnen (Win) Anderson Silva (Loss)

A true BJJ expert, Maia has been taking out top contenders in the UFC since 2008 with his insane ground game, going 8-2 inside the UFC.

His fight against Mark Munoz will eliminate the loser from title contention, and if Maia wins it will be worth watching to see if the UFC gives him another shot at Anderson Silva.

2. Shane Carwin

Notable Fights: Frank Mir (Win) Brock Lesnar (Loss)

Shane Carwin hasn’t fought since his loss to Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 due to injuries, but he is still one of the premier fighters in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

After Lesnar was forced out of the main event, Carwin seized the opportunity to step in and is now a win away from his second title shot.

1. Junior Dos Santos

Notable Fights: Stefan Struve (Win) Roy Nelson (Win)

After coaching on TUF 13, Junior dos Santos is at the height of his popularity, and even though he isn’t fighting Brock Lesnar in the main event, he is now the premier fighter on the card.

A win gets him a deserved shot at Cain Velasquez and the heavyweight title.