UFC on Versus 4 Results: Top 25 Pound-for-Pound Fighters in MMA

Heading into UFC Live on Versus 4, Rick Story was bordering on breaking into the top 25 pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Arguably, Story had already broken through that barrier with a win over Thiago Alves in his last fight.

However, after preparing for a very different opponent in Nate Marquardt, Story suffered a major setback in an upset loss to Charlie Brenneman at UFC Live on Versus 4. While the loss unquestionably hurts, Story still has to be considered one of the best 170-pound fighters in the UFC.

Let's find out how the pound-for-pound rankings were shaken up by this massive upset.

25. Brian Bowles

MMA Record: 9-1

After being out of action for a year following his loss of the WEC Bantamweight Championship, Brian Bowles made his UFC debut in a submission victory over Damacio Page.

Bowles will now look to continue his climb back to a bantamweight title at UFC 132, where he will face off against Takeya Mizugaki.

24. Chad Mendes

MMA Record: 10-0

Chad Mendes had originally been pegged as the next top contender to UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo's crown. However, it was then discovered that Aldo would not be ready for the UFC 133 fight, so Mendes will now meet Rani Yahya.

Undefeated at 26 years old, it would seem only a matter of time until Mendes eventually does get his shot at the 145-pound title, though.

23. Jim Miller

MMA Record: 20-2

In 22 professional fights, Jim Miller's only losses have come against UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. On a seven-fight win streak, Miller is dead set on securing a rematch with one of those two elite lightweights.

Before that, Miller must get past former WEC Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson in August 2011.

22. Clay Guida

MMA Record: 29-11

Clay Guida earned his fourth straight victory with a unanimous decision against former WEC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis.

Considering that the UFC was ready to give Pettis a title shot not long ago, this win puts Guida right at the top of the conversation of fighters who should meet the winner of a third fight between UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.

21. Yushin Okami

MMA Record: 26-5

For a moment, it appeared that Yushin Okami's promised title shot would go to the wayside in order to put together a rematch between UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen.

However, Sonnen's ongoing legal troubles have opened the door for Okami to fight Silva at UFC 134 in August.

20. Kenny Florian

MMA Record: 15-5

Immediately after his loss to Gray Maynard, it appeared Kenny Florian might never fight for a title again. However, an unforeseen drop to featherweight has given Florian what might be a final opportunity at UFC gold.

In order to earn a belt that has eluded him for his entire career, Florian will have to beat one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Jose Aldo.

19. Hatsu Hioki

MMA Record: 24-4-2

In his last 14 fights, Hatsu Hioki's only loss came in a split decision against Michihiro Omigawa. Since that loss, Hioki became a Shooto and Sengoku champion with his most notable win coming against Bellator's Marlon Sandro.

Hioki was recently signed by the UFC and will most likely fill a featherweight contender role right away.

18. Joseph Benavidez

MMA Record: 14-2

Joseph Benavidez had a lackluster performance in his last fight against Ian Loveland but was still able to come away with a unanimous decision victory.

Benavidez will now look to move back into a position where he can contend for a bantamweight title, as he meets Eddie Wineland in August.

However, with the UFC planning on adding a flyweight division, a move to 125 pounds could be in Benavidez's future.

17. Rashad Evans

MMA Record: 15-1-1

Once again, a scheduled title shot fell through for Rashad Evans, as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones was forced to pull out of their UFC 133 fight.

Now, Evans will meet rising contender Phil Davis, though Evans is not guaranteed another title shot even with a win.

16. Mauricio Rua

MMA Record: 19-5

After losing the UFC Light Heavyweight Title to Jon Jones, Mauricio Rua will have to start his climb to the top from the beginning literally and figuratively.

At UFC 134, Rua will meet Forrest Griffin, the fighter who upset "Shogun" in the Brazilian's UFC debut. A win over Griffin would put Rua right back in the mix for another shot at the belt, but a loss could signal the start of a tailspin.

15. Chael Sonnen

MMA Record: 25-11-1

Despite losing, Chael Sonnen executed the most impressive performance of his career through the first four rounds of his fight with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva at UFC 117.

However, legal troubles have prevented Sonnen from continuing the momentum he gained from that performance. Now, it is unclear whether Sonnen will ever be allowed to fight in the UFC again.

14. BJ Penn

MMA Record: 16-7-2

A draw with Jon Fitch has BJ Penn sitting near the top of the welterweight division once again. With Penn and Fitch both currently recovering from injuries, the most likely scenario seems like a rematch between the two fighters.

Even with a win over Fitch, a title fight between Penn and Georges St-Pierre would be a hard sell for the UFC since St-Pierre has already defeated Penn twice.

13. Jon Fitch

MMA Record: 23-3-1, 1 NC

Although he didn't lose the fight, Jon Fitch's chances at earning a rematch with UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre took a major hit with his draw against B.J. Penn at UFC 127.

In all likelihood, Fitch will have the chance to redeem himself, as a rematch with Penn seems like the most likely option for his next fight.

12. Urijah Faber

MMA Record: 25-4

After losing to Jose Aldo at WEC 48, Urijah Faber decided to return to the bantamweight division. That decision has proven to be the right one, as Faber has won his last two fights and earned a UFC title shot.

Faber will meet UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz at UFC 132. The fight will be a rematch of a bout Faber won in March 2007.

11. Jake Shields

MMA Record: 26-5-1

For the first time in more than six years, Jake Shields lost a fight against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 129. While Shields didn't come away with the victory, he still performed better against the champion than many of St-Pierre's previous opponents.

Shields' next fight has not yet been scheduled, but it appears he will remain at welterweight. A move to middleweight could eventually be in the cards for Shields, though.

10. Junior dos Santos

MMA Record: 13-1

Junior dos Santos has dominated everyone the UFC has thrown at him in his first seven fights with the organization, and only one man is left standing between the Brazilian and the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

Cain Velasquez possesses the wrestling to put dos Santos in a position we haven't seen him in before: on his back. However, dos Santos has escaped extremely quickly from every near-takedown he has been faced with, so a belt could definitely be in "Cigano's" near future.

9. Gilbert Melendez

MMA Record: 19-2

Five straight wins have put Gilbert Melendez in position to be considered one of the best lightweights in the world. With little competition remaining in his organization, many are now calling for the Strikeforce Lightweight Champion to join the lightweight ranks of the UFC.

However, Zuffa has opted to keep Melendez with Strikeforce for now, where he will likely fight Jorge Masvidal in his next appearance.

8. Cain Velasquez

MMA Record: 9-0

After running through Brock Lesnar to become UFC Heavyweight Champion, Cain Velasquez has spent nearly one year recovering from a shoulder injury. When he returns, Velasquez will meet Brazilian striker Junior dos Santos.

Considering the way they ran through their competition on the way to the top of the division, it is safe to say that the winner of this fight between Velasquez and dos Santos could be a long-reigning champion.

7. Jon Jones

MMA Record: 13-1

Speaking of potentially dominant champions, the way Jon Jones disposed of Mauricio Rua finally confirmed that all the hype surrounding this young superstar was for good reason.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but Jones' first of what could be many title defenses will likely come against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

6. Gray Maynard

MMA Record: 10-0-1, 1 NC

Gray Maynard nearly became UFC Lightweight Champion after beating Frankie Edgar around the Octagon in the first round of their last fight, but Edgar came back and fought to a draw.

After initially announcing that Maynard would not be given an immediate rematch, UFC president Dana White had a change of heart. However, Maynard and Edgar were both forced to pull out of the immediate rematch, which will be rescheduled at a later date.

5. Frankie Edgar

MMA Record: 13-1-1

Back-to-back wins over BJ Penn earned Frankie Edgar a spot as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. However, he then faced an even tougher test in Gray Maynard, who is the fighter responsible for his only loss.

After nearly being finished by Maynard in the first round, Edgar fought back and retained his title with a draw. However, both fighters will meet again when healthy to decide which is really the better fighter.

4. Dominick Cruz

MMA Record: 17-1

A hand injury has kept Dominick Cruz from making his UFC debut, but he is finally recovered and ready to go for his fight at UFC 132, which will come against Urijah Faber.

Cruz will have the chance to avenge his only defeat, which came against Faber back in March 2007.

3. Jose Aldo

MMA Record: 19-1

Jose Aldo wasn't his dominant self in his UFC 129 fight with Mark Hominick, but he still came away with yet another victory.

Now recovering from injury, Aldo's next fight will likely come against former UFC lightweight Kenny Florian, who recently earned a victory in his featherweight debut against Diego Nunes.

2. Georges St-Pierre

MMA Record: 22-2

After suffering an eye injury that was initially thought to be serious, Georges St-Pierre already has his next fight scheduled against Nick Diaz at UFC 137.

Diaz will be making his return to the UFC after becoming one of the best welterweights in the world through his success with Strikeforce.

1. Anderson Silva

MMA Record: 30-4

Until Anderson Silva loses, he will likely sit atop this list. Silva's next title defense, which could be his ninth in a row, will come against Yushin Okami at UFC 134.

Okami is the last fighter to defeat Silva, though that win came via disqualification due to an illegal upkick.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter here.