Official B/R MMA Rankings June 2011: Top 10 Lightweights in MMA

Some of Bleacher Report’s best MMA writers have come together to give their opinions on who is the best-of-the-best in June. Each respective division voted on by these writers.

Going along with Bleacher Report's continuing efforts to provide our readers with the most unique content, we are also taking strides to compile consensus MMA rankings for each weight class.

It's been a tough month for some of these fighters since the last time we did the rankings in mid-May. UFC 130, 131, Strikeforce Overeem vs. Werdum and even The Ultimate Fighter 14 finale have helped shape the rankings voted on by the writers of Bleacher Report MMA.

So here you are, the reader, the mid-June 2011 Bleacher Report official rankings as voted by our panel of writers from the MMA section.

Special thanks to those who contributed:

Nick Caron

Jason Schielke

Vince Carey

Sean Smith

Dwight Wakabayashi

John Heinis

Sal DeRose

Honorable Mention

Sean Sherk

Record: 36-4-1

Promotion: UFC

Age: 37

Dennis Siver

Record: 18-7

Promotion: UFC

Age: 32

10. Melvin Guillard

Record: 27-8-2 (one no contest)

Promotion: UFC

Age: 28

Reason:

Always known for his power, Guillard has added some game planning to his repertoire and it has paid off exponentially.

Since joining Greg Jackson’s camp in early 2010, Guillard has shown big improvements in his ground game, especially his ability to get back to his feet, and is currently on a four-fight win streak.

A win over Shane Roller at UFC 132 would push Guillard a little closer to a title shot in the deepest division in the UFC.

9. Ben Henderson

Record: 13-2

Promotion: UFC

Age: 27

Reason:

After a highly successful stint in WEC, in which he held the title for over a year, "Bendo" is looking to climb the ladder in the UFC’s lightweight division.

Henderson got off to a good start in his UFC debut, where he dominated Mark Bocek en route to a unanimous decision victory at UFC 129.

His next fight will come at UFC Live 5, where he takes on fellow contender Jim Miller in the co-main event in a fight that already has fans predicting a fight-of-the-night bonus.

8. Anthony Pettis

Record: 13-2

Promotion: UFC

Age: 24

Reason:

The final WEC lightweight champion was supposed to be given an immediate title shot upon entering the UFC, but the draw between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard forced Pettis to take a fight to earn his shot.

Unfortunately for "Showtime," he ran into a nightmare of a matchup in Clay Guida and, although he attempted several submissions off his back, was held down for the majority of the fight and Guida ground out a decision.

With an unlimited amount of potential at just 24 years old, Pettis is still seen as a future title contender in the division.

7. Shinya Aoki

Record: 29-5 (one no contest)

Promotion: Strikeforce/DREAM

Age: 28

Reason:

Aoki was a consensus top-three lightweight as recently as early 2010, but a lopsided loss to Gilbert Melendez at the now infamous Strikeforce: Nashville card hurt his standing in the division.

Now currently riding a five-fight win streak, Aoki is right back in the title hunt in Strikeforce’s 155-pound division and another win might be enough to grant him another shot at Melendez and the belt.

6. Eddie Alvarez

Record: 22-2

Promotion: Bellator

Age: 27

Reason:

The top lightweight who isn’t under the Zuffa banner, Alvarez has been mentioned among the 155-pound elite for over two years now.

Since winning the Bellator Season 1 tournament, and earning the lightweight belt in the process, Alvarez has looked unbeatable, taking out former UFC stars Josh Neer and Roger Huerta in non-title bouts and defeating Pat Curran in his first title defense.

Alvarez will take on Season 4 tournament winner Michael Chandler in his second title defense later this year.

5. Clay Guida

Record: 29-11

Promotion: UFC

Age: 29

Reason:

After years of being seen as the gatekeeper in the lightweight division, Guida has finally made the adjustments to his game necessary to be considered a title contender.

Much like Melvin Guillard, Guida has experienced a lot of success since moving to Greg Jackson’s camp, adding a new found submission game to his already stifling top control.

After defeating top contender Anthony Pettis earlier this month, Guida is on a four-fight win streak and is likely a win away for a title shot.

4. Jim Miller

Record: 20-2

Promotion: UFC

Age: 27

Reason:

Constantly labeled as the most unappreciated fighter in the UFC, Miller has been on a serious tear over the last two years.

Since losing a decision to Gray Maynard in early 2009, Miller has won seven straight fights inside the Octagon with wins over Mac Danzig, Gleison Tibau and Charles Oliveira on his resume.

After taking out WEC import Kamal Shalorus at UFC 128, Miller is primed for a shot at the title, which he’ll likely get if he takes out Ben Henderson in August.

3. Gilbert Melendez

Record: 19-2

Promotion: Strikeforce

Age: 29

Reason:

Gilbert Melendez has been actively campaigning to get moved over to the UFC since Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa. Unless there is an influx of talent moved over to the San Jose based promotion, he may get his wish.

Melendez has been dominating the 155-pound division in Strikeforce since 2009, taking out numerous top contenders and avenging both of his career losses en route to becoming one of the best fighters in the world.

Though he wants nothing more than a shot at the UFC belt, a Strikeforce fight with Jorge Masvidal seems to be next for Melendez.

2. Gray Maynard

Record: 10-0-1(one no contest)

Promotion: UFC

Age: 32

Reason:

Even though he isn’t the champion, Gray Maynard has a good case for the top spot in these rankings due to his 1-0-1 record against current champion (and top guy on our list) Frankie Edgar.

The former Michigan St. wrestler is undefeated in his MMA career with big wins over Jim Miller and Kenny Florian on his resume, along with his decision win over Edgar back in 2008.

Maynard will have a chance to prove that he is without a doubt the top lightweight in the world when he fights Edgar in the third fight of their trilogy later this year.

1. Frankie Edgar

Record: 13-1-1

Promotion: UFC

Age: 29

Reason:

Frankie Edgar shocked the world by beating the greatest lightweight of all time.

Twice.

Edgar went into his UFC 112 title shot against B.J. Penn as a huge underdog, but he hung in there with the champ and won a close decision. Then, a few months later in a rematch at UFC 118, Edgar dominated Penn in a clear cut unanimous decision.

Even after the wins over Penn, many had Edgar as the underdog to Gray Maynard prior to their fight at UFC 125 and, for a round, Edgar looked like it as he was battered in one of the most one-sided rounds in UFC history.

Frankie battled back and the fight ended up being declared a split draw, leading to a rematch between the two that will take place later this year.

My gut says that Frankie won’t be the underdog.