UFC 133 Results: Ranking the Top 10 Light Heavyweights in the UFC

At UFC 133, Rashad Evans showed why he is the top contender in the light heavyweight division by finishing Tito Ortiz in the second round of their fight. However, another 205-pound fight at UFC 133 did shake up the rankings a bit.

In a preliminary card bout, Alexander Gustafsson scored a second-round technical knockout against Matt Hamill. Aside from a submission loss to Phil Davis, Gustafsson's record remains spotless and a win over Hamill could make him a serious contender in the division.

Let's find out UFC 133's light heavyweight participants fall among the top ten UFC fighters in the division.

10. Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva has been held back for injuries for most of the last two years. When a recurring back injury caused problems for him again before a UFC 125 fight against Brandon Vera, Thiago Silva resorted to illegal substances for recovery.

In an attempt to hide his use of the substance, Silva cheated in his pre-fight drug test. When this was discovered by the athletic commission, Silva was suspended for one year.

If Silva can ever remain healthy he has the talent to compete for a title shot in the light heavyweight division.

9. Rich Franklin

Rich Franklin has alternated wins and losses for his last six fights, which is enough to keep him relevant in the light heavyweight division, but it also shows that he likely won't ever be considered a serious threat to become champion again.

Franklin had been scheduled to fight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 133, but the Brazilian was forced out of the bout. With no intriguing opponents available to fill in, Franklin also was removed from the event.

8. Alexander Gustafsson

After losing to Phil Davis, Alexander Gustafsson made possibly the best choice of his career by joining his former opponent at Alliance MMA.

Gustafsson seems to have improved drastically since he began training with Davis. In his three fights since the loss to the former NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion, Gustafsson has defeated Matt Hamill, James Te-Huna and Cyrille Diabate.

7. Phil Davis

Forced to pull out of a UFC 133 fight with Rashad Evans, Phil Davis lost an excellent opportunity to make a big jump in these rankings. However, the undefeated Davis will surely get another big-name opponent when his knee injury is healed.

In only nine professional fights, Davis has picked up wins over Alexander Gustafsson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Brian Stann.

6. Forrest Griffin

After losing consecutive fights for the first time, as he was finished by Rashad Evans and Anderson Silva, Forrest Griffin has now recorded back-to-back victories over former UFC champions.

After defeating Tito Ortiz and Rich Franklin, Griffin will now have a chance to defeat a third straight ex-title holder, as he prepares for a rematch with Mauricio Rua. In their first meeting, Rua's first fight in the UFC, Griffin earned Submission of the Night honors for securing a rear naked choke with 15 seconds remaining in the fight.

5. Lyoto Machida

In 2010, Lyoto Machida suffered the first two losses of his career in back-to-back fights. However, 2011 has gotten off to a much better start for the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, as he ended Randy Couture's career with a jumping front kick knockout.

With most of the top light heavyweights locked into fights at the moment, Machida is currently waiting for word on his next opponent. An opportunity for a rematch with Rashad Evans presented itself, but Machida asked for a steep pay increase to accept the short-notice fight, which the UFC did not grant him.

4. Quinton Jackson

Since losing to Rashad Evans in a fight where many questioned whether or not he was still focused on competing in MMA, Quinton Jackson has won two fights against Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill to become the top contender in the light heavyweight division.

After losing the belt in a controversial decision to Forrest Griffin, Jackson has been waiting for his chance to regain the title for more than three years. With a win over Jon Jones at UFC 135, Jackson could cement himself as one of the greatest 205-pound fighters in the history of the sport.

3. Rashad Evans

After taking a year off due to injuries and waiting for title shots that never came, Rashad Evans finally returned to the Octagon at UFC 133. Despite the layoff, Evans showed no signs of rust, as he was able to put Ortiz away in the second round.

With three straight wins over elite light heavyweights in Ortiz, Quinton Jackson and Thiago Silva, Evans is once again at the front of the line for a shot at the 205-pound title. He will await the winner of a UFC 135 fight between Jackson and Jon Jones.

2. Mauricio Rua

It's easy to say that Mauricio Rua looks to be on the decline after losing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship to Jon Jones, but it is important to remember that Jones has made just about all of his opponents look as bad as Rua did in their fight.

Rua will now fight in his home country of Brazil at UFC 134, where he will have the chance to bounce back and avenge a loss from his UFC debut against Forrest Griffin. With a win over Griffin, Rua would be right back in line for another shot at the belt.

1. Jon Jones

With his dominant victory of Mauricio Rua, Jon Jones showed that all the hype that has surrounded him was warranted. Now, Jones must show that he won't allow his quick rise to the top to get to his head.

At UFC 135, Jones will attempt to defend his belt for the first time against Quinton Jackson. Jackson enters the fight with a renewed focus on earning the light heavyweight belt back, but Jones will be looking to create his legacy.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.