MMA World Rankings

MMA fans have waited a long time to see how the improved Alistair Overeem would fare against ranked opposition.

They finally got that chance at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum.

In one of the most lackluster main events of the year, Overeem huffed and puffed his way to a unanimous decision victory over Fabricio Werdum in their quarterfinal bout of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

While the victory was significant in regards to Overeem's heavyweight advancement, his performance turned a multitude of believers into critics.

Meanwhile, perennial heel Josh Barnett impressed in his second-round submission win over Brett Rogers. Could "The Baby-Faced Assassin" be the true favorite to win the Strikeforce Grand Prix?

Along with Strikeforce, the UFC has sent the MMA universe into a frenzy with a multitude of live events. Fresh off the heels of UFC 130, the TUF 13 Finale, and UFC 131, there have been plenty of changes in the world rankings.

These rankings rely heavily on quality of competition and defeating previously-ranked opponents. They are not based on possibilities––such as fighter A would beat fighter B.

Heavyweight (Over 205 Pounds)

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 for outworking lightweights. Velasquez is expected to return from a torn rotator cuff in November at UFC 138, to defend his title for the first time against Dos Santos.

2) Junior Dos Santos

Junior Dos Santos proved at UFC 131 that the entire heavyweight division runs through him and Cain Velasquez. He wasn't able to finish Shane Carwin, but the three-round drubbing bestowed upon the former title contender was more than enough to get the point across.

Dos Santos now turns his attention to Velasquez in what could be the greatest heavyweight title bout in UFC history. The expected date for the showdown is Nov. 19.

3) 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 wasn't able to defend his title against top-contender Junior Dos Santos. Lesnar and Dos Santos were assigned coaching duties over season 13 of "The Ultimate Fighter."

At the end of the show, the coaches were set to battle one another at UFC 131 for a shot at the heavyweight title, but a second case of diverticulitis, a digestive disorder, forced Lesnar to withdraw from the bout.

4) Alistair Overeem

Alistair Overeem's victory over Werdum may have skyrocketed him up the heavyweight rankings, but it was a major setback for the man some considered superior to Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos.

Even though he lost, Werdum was able to exploit some lingering weaknesses from Overeem's light heavyweight days.

Along with a limited gas tank, Overeem showed some serious holes in his striking defense. It's imperative that he improves before he meets Antonio Silva in the semifinals. "Bigfoot's" striking won't be so forgiving.

5) Fabricio Werdum

Fabricio Werdum's performance against Alistair Overeem in the Strikeforce Grand Prix semifinals was just plain awkward.

Even though he bested the majority of the exchanges on the feet, Werdum consistently ground-flopped and taunted at Overeem to jump in his guard. It was definitely a winnable fight for the Brazilian, but his bizarre tactics cost him the tournament.

6) Shane Carwin

Any previous assumptions surrounding Shane Carwin's suspect chin were erased at UFC 131. For three brutal rounds, Carwin's head acted as a sparring mitt for top heavyweight contender Junior Dos Santos.

A good thing to take away from the bout was Carwin's improved cardio. He never faded throughout the 15-minute lashing.

7) Frank Mir

Frank Mir continued to show off his improved striking in his UFC 130 rout of Roy "Big Country" Nelson. It was a great way to rebound and erase a horrific main-event outing against Mirko "Cro Cop."

It will be interesting to see where Mir goes from here. Does he face Shane Carwin in a rematch, or will the UFC play the waiting game and pair Mir with heavyweight nemesis Brock Lesnar?

8) 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. With the victory, Silva moves on to the semifinals to face Strikeforce heavyweight-champion Alistair Overeem.

9) 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, but it doesn't look like "The Last Emperor" is quite ready to step down from his throne. He is expected to step into the cage again in a catch-weight bout with Dan Henderson on July 30.

10) Josh Barnett

Josh Barnett cut a solid post-fight promo after his second-round submission victory over Brett Rogers, but it won't change his heel status. Thankfully, Barnett shines in the bad-guy role.

It could be a long Strikeforce Grand Prix for Barnett haters. He is steadily becoming the favorite to win the entire tournament. A semifinal bout against Sergei Kharitonov is on tap for "The Baby-Faced Assassin."

Light Heavyweight (205-pound limit)

1) Jon Jones

Some may have predicted that Jon Jones would walk out of UFC 128 as the new light-heavyweight champion, but no one could've foreseen the sheer dominance that unfolded.

Jones picked former champion and all-time great Mauricio "Shogun" Rua to pieces for three rounds to earn the TKO stoppage.

It was an awe-inspiring performance that introduced the MMA universe to its new star. Jones will defend his UFC title for the first time on Sept. 24 against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

2) Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

At UFC 128, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua was on the receiving end of the most one-sided beatdown of his MMA career, courtesy of Jon Jones. March 19, 2011, is a day that Shogun and fans quickly hope to forget.

The road to redemption is already under way. Shogun recently reunited with his former Chute Boxe coach Rafael Cordeiro to prepare for his upcoming UFC 134 bout against Forrest Griffin.

3) 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 injuries to both Evans and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua kept the bout from happening. While Evans was on the shelf, his teammate Jon Jones stepped in to challenge Rua for the title and came away with the victory.

After Jones won the belt, the teammates had a falling out, and Evans has since switched camps. The grudge match between Jones and Evans was scheduled to go down in August, but a hand injury forced Jones off the UFC 133 card.

Evans will now face rising contender Phil Davis to determine the top contender for the light-heavyweight title.

4) Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

Quinton Jackson swatted down every takedown attempt Matt Hamill could muster at UFC 130. It was a bout that really demonstrated the skill gap between certain fighters.

While Hamill is a solid light heavyweight, Jackson is an upper-echelon talent. The unanimous decision victory wasn't flashy, but it earned Jackson a shot at UFC champion Jon Jones.

5) Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida should change his nickname from "The Dragon" to "The Karate Kid" after his second round crane-kick KO win over Hall of Famer Randy Couture at UFC 129.

With the win, Machida avoids his third-straight loss and thrusts himself back into the light heavyweight title picture.

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.

The former light heavyweight champion is most likely used to being adored by fans, but that will all change when he travels to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at UFC 134 for a rematch with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

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. He'll have the chance to add a major name to his résumé at UFC 132 when he meets Tito Ortiz.

8) Phil Davis

Stepping in as a late replacement for the injury-riddled Tito Ortiz, Phil Davis picked up the biggest victory of his MMA career with a unanimous decision win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 24.

The former NCAA Division-I wrestling champion faced adversity against a game Nogueira, who seemed to have made great improvements in his takedown defense.

With the rest of the 205-pound division tied up, Davis now finds himself in a title-eliminator bout against Rashad Evans at UFC 133.

9) Dan Henderson

At age 40, Dan Henderson continues to defy Father Time in pursuit of MMA greatness. He defeated Rafael Cavalcante in March to become the new Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion.

Instead of defending his newly-acquired title, Henderson has his eyes set on a July showdown with MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko.

10) Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira burst onto the scene in the UFC with an impressive KO victory over Luiz Cane, and his name was immediately thrown into the hat alongside a plethora of others as a potential light-heavyweight title contender.

The twin brother of Rodrigo Nogueira could be on the chopping block in his upcoming UFC 133 bout with Rich Franklin. He is coming off a lackluster performance against Jason Brilz and two consecutive losses to Phil Davis and Ryan Bader.

Middleweight (185-pound limit)

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 (eight) and victories (13). At UFC 134, the proposed pound-for-pound king will get the chance to defend his title in his home country of Brazil against top middleweight-contender Yushin Okami.

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 (CSAC) fined Sonnen and ruled on a one-year suspension for violating the drug policy. Sonnen appealed the suspension in December 2010 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. After handing down an indefinite suspension, the CSAC changed its ruling. Sonnen can apply for a new fight license in the state of California after his current one expires on June 29.

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 have propelled him past Lucio Linhares, Mark Munoz and Nate Marquardt.

The win over Marquardt was easily the most significant of Okami's career. At UFC 134, Okami will finally get the opportunity to challenge Anderson Silva for the middleweight title.

4) Nate Marquardt

After a disappointing unanimous decision loss to Yushin Okami, Nate Marquardt rebounded with a victory over Dan Miller at UFC 128.

Inconsistent performances at middleweight has caused the former King of Pancrase to drop down to the welterweight division, where he'll make his debut in June against Rick Story.

5) 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. Belfort is scheduled to make his return at UFC 133 against South Korean judo standout Yoshihiro Akiyama.

6) 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, Souza's next defense is set for Strikeforce 36 against Luke Rockhold, an up-and-comer from Strikeforce's challengers series.

7) Mark Munoz

Mark Munoz finally crosses the top 10 threshold with his unanimous decision win over Demian Maia at UFC 131. It was a close fight that could've gone either way, but Munoz's superior wrestling and ability to scramble out of bad positions helped him sway the minds of the judges.

8) Demian Maia

It's amazing that a judge scored Demian Maia's UFC 131 bout 30-27 for Mark Munoz. Despite the questionable scorecards, the decision could've easily gone to either fighter.

Maia may have been better suited to keep the bout standing. He showed great improvements in his striking. If only he had the wrestling pedigree to go along with the rest of his skills, Maia could be a world champion.

9) 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.

"The Count" will coach opposite of Jason "Mayhem" Miller on the Ultimate Fighter Season 14. At the end of the show, the two coaches will battle one another in the live finale on Dec. 3.

10) Brian Stann

Brian Stann is quickly making waves in the middleweight division. Since dropping weight, the former Marine has picked up three consecutive victories over Jorge Santiago, Chris Leben and Mike Massenzio.

The victory over Santiago, a former Sengoku world champion, earned Stann his placement as a top 10 middleweight.

Welterweight (170-pound limit)

1) Georges St. Pierre

It wasn't the smoothest outing for the welterweight kingpin, but Georges St-Pierre managed to put forth his sixth-consecutive UFC title defense at UFC 129 against former Strikeforce middleweight-champion Jake Shields.

While many criticize St-Pierre's performance, a victory over a top 10 pound-for-pound fighter like Shields is significant.

The French Canadian is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and he is one title defense away from tying UFC Hall-of-Famer Matt Hughes' record for most welterweight title defenses.

St. Pierre will have the chance to equal that record at UFC 137 in a highly anticipated showdown with Strikeforce-champion Nick Diaz.

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. An immediate rematch was scheduled for UFC 132, but Fitch had to pull out of the fight due to an injury sustained in training.

3) 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 shut down 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 fall 2011.

4) Jake Shields

Jake Shields hadn't lost a fight in over six years––until he met Georges St. Pierre at UFC 129. While Shields put forth a decent effort, the French Canadian was able to dictate the action and coast to another unanimous decision.

UFC welterweight Jake Ellenberger recently called out Shields, but there isn't any word on whether Shields will stay at welterweight or move back to middleweight. The rumor mill is buzzing about a potential fight between Shields and B.J. Penn at UFC 136.

5) Nick Diaz

Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz continued his winning ways in April against Paul Daley.

Despite Daley's explosive striking, Diaz was the aggressor throughout the first round, which was an exciting back-and-forth standup war until Daley finally wilted from Diaz's high volume of strikes.

Diaz's search for big fights has led him to the world of professional boxing, but a proposed bout with Jeff Lacy was thwarted when Diaz accepted a monumental MMA fight.

He is expected to vacate his Strikeforce title and face UFC champion and pound-for-pound great Georges St. Pierre in a superfight at UFC 137.

6) 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 best, but Penn could be gearing up for a welterweight bout at UFC 136 against Jake Shields.

7) 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 10 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. At UFC 135, "The Dream" takes on former welterweight champion and UFC Hall-of-Famer Matt Hughes.

8) Rick Story

Rick Story found his way into the top-10 rankings after his huge upset win over Thiago Alves at UFC 130. Unfortunately, there won't be any downtime for the young lion.

He recently agreed to step in for the injured Anthony Johnson and face Nate Marquardt at UFC on Versus 4. Back-to-back wins over Alves and Marquardt would go a long way in thrusting Story into title contention.

9) Thiago Alves

The Dolce Diet may have improved his conditioning, but it wasn't able to cure the wrestling woes of Thiago Alves at UFC 130. It was the same story, but different opponent for Alves, who was repeatedly taken down and outworked by Rick Story.

Can the "Pitbull" regain his former swagger, or will he continue to get consumed by superior wrestlers?

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 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 will face Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 132 in a bout that could improve his position in the title picture.

Lightweight (155-pound limit)

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 was set for UFC 130, but both Edgar and Maynard were forced off the card with injuries.

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 would've had his chance to do it again at UFC 130. The bout was called off due to injuries sustained by both lightweights.

3) Gilbert Melendez

The word impressive can't even begin to describe Gilbert Melendez's win over Tatsuya Kawajiri in April.

The Strikeforce lightweight champion has solidified himself as one of the best lightweights in the world, and he's ready to move on to bigger and better things.

It isn't official, but Strikeforce seems to be leaning towards Jorge Masvidal as the next contender for Melendez's title.

4) Shinya Aoki

Shinya Aoki's Dream 17 win over MMA veteran Rich Clementi won't further his status in the lightweight division, but it did keep the Dream champ warm as he works to earn a rematch against Gilbert Melendez.

With Melendez expected to face Jorge Masvidal, Aoki will have to be satisfied with feasting on more hors d'oeuvres.

5) Eddie Alvarez

There is no question that Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is a world-class talent. Instead of proving his case against higher-ranked opposition, Alvarez continues to compete under the Bellator banner against up and comers and UFC castoffs.

He was successful in his first title defense at Bellator 39 against Bellator Season 2 Lightweight Tournament-winner Pat Curran. His next defense will be against Season 4-winner Michael Chandler.

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. He is currently planning a summer return.

7) Jim Miller

Jim Miller picked up his seventh-consecutive UFC victory at UFC 128 in a unanimous decision win over strong Iranian grappler Kamal Shalorus.

While the world looks the other way, Miller has positioned himself into lightweight title contention, but a showdown with Gary Maynard or Frankie Edgar should be the last thing on his mind.

He'll have his hands full with former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson at UFC on Versus 5.

8) Clay Guida

A position in the top 10 lightweight rankings has been a long time coming for Clay Guida. After plenty of disappointing losses, "The Carpenter" has finally found his way.

Currently riding a four-fight win streak, Guida is coming off back to back wins over former world champions in Takanori Gomi and Anthony Pettis. He could be a win or two away from a UFC title shot.

9) Melvin Guillard

Coming off a huge TKO victory over Evan Dunham at UFC: Fight for the Troops 2, "The Young Assassin" Melvin Guillard has finally found his stride.

The move to Jackson's MMA in Albuquerque, N.M. has done wonders for Guillard, who is 7-1 in his last eight bouts. He is slated to face Shane Roller at UFC 132.

10) Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis may have lost in his UFC debut, but the expectations for the former WEC champion remain high.

He'll definitely have to patch up some holes in the wrestling department if he hopes to make his UFC stay permanent. There are plenty more where Clay Guida came from.

Featherweight (145-pound limit)

1) Jose Aldo

UFC featherweight-champion Jose Aldo met a stiffer test than expected in Mark Hominick at UFC 129.

Coming off neck and shoulder injuries, Aldo lost steam early in the bout, but he was able to lean on his underrated grappling to pull out the victory. His second UFC title defense is expected to be against Kenny Florian at UFC 136.

2) Chad Mendes

Chad "Money" Mendes continued his flawless ways at UFC 126, where he took a unanimous decision win over top 10-ranked veteran Michihiro Omigawa.

His improved hands and world-class wrestling makes him an interesting match-up for current champion Jose Aldo, but Mendes will have to wait for a title shot. With Kenny Florian next in line to challenge Aldo, Mendes will face Rani Yahya at UFC 133.

3) 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 forced him off the card.

At UFC on Versus 4, Gamburyan will make his return against former lightweight Tyson Griffin.

4) Hatsu Hioki

After defeating explosive Brazilian knockout artist Marlon Sandro for the Sengoku featherweight title, Hatsu Hioki kept the ball rolling at Shooto Tradition 2011, where he submitted Donald Sanchez in the second round with a triangle choke.

Hioki will likely stay in Japan to defend his newly-acquired Sengoku title, but if he hopes to climb the ranks, the Japanese star may have to bring his talents to western shores.

5) Kenny Florian

Kenny Florian came close to having his featherweight goals ruined by Diego Nunes at UFC 131. The featherweight division isn't as stacked as lightweight, but the ranked opposition is just as deadly. With the win, Florian earned his third UFC title shot at UFC 136 against pound-for-pound great Jose Aldo.

6) Diego Nunes

There weren't many people giving Diego Nunes a chance in his UFC 131 bout against Kenny Florian. It was impressive to see him put together the kind of performance he did against an upper-echelon fighter like Florian.

Nunes may have lost the fight, but he can walk away with his head held high. He proved that he belongs on the big stage against world-class talent.

7) 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 10-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 Feb. 23, Sandro signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator Fighting Championships.

8) Joe Warren

Bellator featherweight champion Joe Warren may have earned the unanimous decision nod over Marcos Galvao, but it was far from easy. Many even scored the bout in Galvao's favor.

Even though the bout ended in controversy, it was held at a catch weight, and the former U.S. Olympian should be commended for earning the victory over a larger opponent.

Warren is set to meet a familiar foe at Bellator 47. He'll face Patricio Freire in a rematch of their Bellator 23 bout, where Warren walked away with the split decision.

9) Mark Hominick

There is no doubt that Mark Hominick is disappointed by the outcome of his UFC featherweight title bout with Jose Aldo, but he certainly doesn't have anything to be ashamed of.

When most counted him out, Hominick came out and put up a solid effort against a guy many consider one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

10) Erik Koch

With Michihiro Omigawa's exit, Erik Koch makes his top 10 debut. He earned knockout of the night in his last couple of outings against Raphael Assuncao and Francisco Rivera.

On Sept. 17, Koch is expected to roll out the official UFC welcome wagon for the Ultimate Fighter Season 12 winner Jonathan Brookins.

Bantamweight (135-pound limit)

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 showdown between the two fighters is signed and scheduled to go down in the main event of UFC 132.

2) Joseph Benavidez

In a world with no Dominick Cruz, Joseph Benavidez would most likely be the fighter with all the accolades. In his UFC debut, Benavidez was featured in the prelims against Ian Loveland at UFC 128.

He picked up the unanimous decision in an entertaining scrap that could've easily made the main card. At UFC on Versus 5, Benavidez is set to take on former WEC bantamweight champion Eddie Wineland.

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. He faces a top ten opponent in Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 132.

4) Scott Jorgensen

"I'm back!" Those were Scott Jorgensen's words after landing a massive right hand that put an end to Ken Stone's night at the Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale.

Fired up from his loss to UFC Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, Jorgensen looks like a man hell-bent on rectifying past mistakes.

5) Urijah Faber - It was a colossal moment for fans all over the world to finally see "The California Kid" Urijah Faber step into a UFC octagon.

Faber is widely considered as one of the pioneers of the lighter weight classes, and he didn't disappoint in his UFC debut, taking an exciting unanimous decision victory over former WEC champion Eddie Wineland.

At UFC 132, Faber will take the bantamweight division to new heights when he headlines a UFC pay-per-view against bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

6) Demetrious Johnson

Those unfamiliar with this incredible prospect were definitely awakened at UFC 130. In an unbelievable chess match that was worthy of fight of the night honors, Demetrious Johnson took a convincing unanimous decision victory over former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres.

Regardless of his next opponent, Johnson proved that he is more than ready for the upper-echelon stars of the bantamweight division.

7) Miguel Torres

After winning two consecutive bouts, Miguel Torres faced another setback at UFC 130 against Demetrious Johnson. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is an incredible tool, but it's tough to convince judges from your back for the majority of a bout.

Torres has to go back to the drawing board and work on his offensive and defensive wrestling.

8) 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. He'll face a stern challenge in former WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles at UFC 132.

9) 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 was mulling over the possibility of matching Pickett with former champion Miguel Torres at UFC 130, but Pickett was forced out of the bout due to an injury.

10) 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 test will come against Shooto legend Rumina Sato at Shootor's Legacy 3 on July 18.