UFC 131 Results: Ranking the Top 10 Featherweights in the UFC

Kenny Florian was not the only featherweight to walk away from UFC 131 with a victory. However, he certainly gained more from his win than any other 145-pound fighter, as he likely earned a title shot with his win over Diego Nunes.

Dustin Poirier also picked up a victory over Jason Young, but not in the dominant fashion that many were expecting from him. Also, Darren Elkins earned an extremely controversial decision over Michihiro Omigawa.

Let's take a look at where, if at all, these fighters fit into the top 10 of the featherweight division.

10. Chan Sung Jung

MMA Record: 11-3

Chan Sung Jung earned a huge win in his UFC debut, avenging his loss to Leonard Garcia and breaking a two fight losing streak.

Jung now has two huge victories to his name, as he also holds a win over Michihiro Omigawa.

9. George Roop

MMA Record: 12-7-1

George Roop is slowly improving and rising up the featherweight ladder. With his recent dominant win over Josh Grispi, Roop now has three strong performances in his four fights since returning to 145 pounds.

In addition to his win over Grispi, Roop earned Knockout of the Night honors with a head kick against Chan Sung Jung and went to war with Leonard Garcia in a draw.

8. Mike Brown

MMA Record: 24-8

With four losses in his last six fights and no meaningful wins in the last two years, Mike Brown's job is now in jeopardy.

That being said, it isn't like Brown was dominated in his most recent losses, so he could still have something left in the tank. He will need to prove it in his next fight at UFC 133 against Nam Phan.

7. Rani Yahya

MMA Record: 16-6

After losing back-to-back fights at bantamweight, Rani Yahya returned to featherweight and defeated former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown.

With that win, Yahya is now considered a contender at 145 pounds and will meet Chad Mendes, who was previously expected to fight for the title against UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo.

6. Diego Nunes

MMA Record: 16-2

After climbing his way near the top of the featherweight division, Diego Nunes took a fall in his loss to Kenny Florian at UFC 131.

Still, Nunes has to be considered one of the more dangerous fighters in the division and should get another shot at becoming a top contender before his time runs out with the UFC.

5. Manny Gamburyan

MMA Record: 11-5

After winning his first three fights at featherweight, Manny Gamburyan earned a shot at the WEC Featherweight Championship. However, he was easily disposed of by Jose Aldo.

Now, Gamburyan is getting set to make his return to the UFC as a featherweight. In two weeks, Gamburyan will welcome Tyson Griffin to the 145-pound division.

4. Mark Hominick

MMA Record: 20-9

A five-fight winning streak earned Mark Hominick a shot at UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. Despite being an enormous underdog, Hominick fought admirably to a decision loss.

Hominick's next opponent has not yet been named, but I doubt there will be a long line of guys who want to fight him after the performance he put on against Aldo.

3. Chad Mendes

MMA Record: 10-0

Chad Mendes has been dominant in his first 10 professional fights. The only knock on Mendes has been his inability to finish high-level competition.

Still, Mendes' performances appeared to have earned him a title shot against UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. However, Aldo was forced out of that fight, and Mendes took a bout against Rani Yahya at UFC 133.

2. Kenny Florian

MMA Record: 15-5

Consider Kenny Florian's decision to drop to 145 pounds a successful one. After defeating Diego Nunes at UFC 131, it appears Florian will be next in line for a featherweight title shot.

Florian has come up short in big fights throughout his career. This could be his last chance to capture a UFC belt.

1. Jose Aldo

MMA Record: 19-1

UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo has now won 12 consecutive fights. However, his most recent title defense against Mark Hominick was among his least impressive.

Perhaps the lackluster win can be chalked up to illness, or maybe Kenny Florian will find a way to expose one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.