UFC on Versus 5 Results: Ranking the Top 10 UFC Lightweights

Eight months ago, the lightweight division seemed to be overflowing with top contenders ready for a shot at the title.

Now that UFC on Versus 5 over, the title picture looks a little more clearer with two exciting crossovers from the WEC now looking for a shot at the belt.

Last night, Donald Cerrone made a huge impression on the lightweight division, knocking out rising prospect Charles Oliveira three minutes into the first round.  Former WEC champion Ben Henderson also looked great, ending Jim Miller's seven fight win streak.

As all eyes now turn to Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard's rematch in October as the excitement only continues in the stacked lightweight division.

Here's how the last night's winners stack up against the top 10 lightweights in the UFC. 

Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mentions:

1. Sam Stout:  Last Win - Yves Edwards (Knockout), UFC 131

2. Gleison Tibau: Last Win - Rafaello Oliveira (Rear-Naked Choke), UFC 130

3. Jeremy Stephens: Last Win - Daniel Downes (Unanimous Decision), TUF 13 Finale 

4. Rafael dos Anjos: Last Win - George Sotiropoulos (Knockout), UFC 132 

10. Jacob Volkmann

Jacob Volkmann landed himself onto the top 10 UFC lightweights' list by taking out Team Alpha Male product Danny Castillo via unanimous decision at Sunday night's UFC on Versus 5.

Volkmann, improving to 13-2, has won each of his four fights since dropping down to 155.  He began his UFC career as a welterweight, but two straight losses to Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann forced the former three time NCAA all-American wrestler to make a change.

Undefeated at lightweight, Volkmann most recently beat former Maximum Fighting Championship lightweight champion Antonio McKee at UFC 125.  McKee was riding an 11 fight win-streak prior to the loss and was cut immediately after the poor showing.

If the University of Minnesota product can keep winning, then expect a jump in competition soon for Volkmann.

9. Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis' UFC career did not start out the way he may of liked it, but the last WEC Lightweight champion does not plan to stay on the decline as he is set to face Jeremey Stephens at UFC 136.

Pettis is coming off a decision loss to Clay Guida at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale.  Guida took down Pettis numerous times but was unable to advance his position.  Pettis was actually able to reel off a few good shots in the stand-up and attempted numerous submissions while holding guard.

Prior to the loss, Pettis won the WEC belt at WEC 53, defeating Ben Henderson in a five round, Fight of the Night performance that gave birth to the "Showtime Kick".

"Showtime" will find himself right back into the title hunt if he can put away his next opponent and halt his losing skid.

8. Donald Cerrone

Donald Cerrone has been on a tear since failing to capture the WEC Lightweight crown in 2010.

Riding a four fight win-streak entering last night's event, Cerrone has defeated everyone on his way since losing to Ben Henderson at WEC 48.

Winning his first two fights in the UFC, Cerrone submitted Paul Kelly at UFC 126, taking his sixth Fight of the Night honors in his UFC debut.  He then defeated Vagner Rocha at UFC 131.

Last night, "Cowboy" took on rising prospect and jiu-jitsu ace Charles Oliveira.  Cerrone won his seventh bonus, this time Knockout of the Night when he TKO'd Oliveira in the first round.

With career wins over Jamie Varner, Chris Horodecki, and Danny Castillo, "Cowboy" has made a huge impression by continuing his success while fighting in the UFC. 

7. Melvin Guillard

Melvin Guillard has been destroying opponents en route to a possible title shot.

"The Young Assassin" brutally knocked out Shane Roller at UFC 132, finishing the former WEC lightweight only two minutes into the first round.

The win was Guillard's fifth in a row, previous TKOing Evan Dunham in January, just under three minutes in round one.  Guillard received his second Knockout of the Night award for this fantastic performance.

His next opponent, Joe Lauzon, should be weary to stand and trade with the heavy handed Guillard at UFC 136, whose 19 of 29 wins are via KO or TKO.

If Guillard can continue to finish opponents with relative ease, expect a shot at the lightweight belt real soon.

6. Dennis Siver

A resurgent Dennis Siver has been raising his stock since starting off bumpy in the UFC back in 2007.

Since going 1-3 in his first four UFC bouts, Siver has 8-1 since losing to Melvin Guillard in 2008.

The kickboxing specialist most recently defeated Matt Wiman at UFC 132, taking the controversial decision and extending his current win streak to four.

Prior to the win, Siver upset rising prospect George Sotiropoulous in his home country, dominating the Australian at UFC 127.

Siver is expected to take on the up and coming Sam Stout at UFC 137.  

A win over another top lightweight should bring the German Tae Kwon Do blackbelt one step closer to UFC gold.

5. Jim Miller

The streaking Jim Miller lost some ground in his attempt to earn a title shot last night, losing to Ben Henderson via decision.

Miller was riding a seven fight win-streak coming into UFC on Versus 5.  He was coming off two spectacular performances, TKOing the hard-headed Kamal Shalorus at UFC 128 and landing a kneebar on the tricky Charles Oliveira at UFC 124.

With career wins over Gleison Tibau, Mark Bocek, and Matt Wiman, Miller was looking forward to face the winner of Frankie Edgar versus Gray Maynard III if he were able to beat the former WEC Lightweight champion.

He was blasted in the second round of last night's event when Henderson ground and pounded Miller with vicious elbows on the ground, cutting him open.  Later in the round, Henderson landed huge knees against the cage, further taking the upper hand in the fight.

Miller will now have to wait even longer before he can finally get a crack at the belt. 

4. Clay Guida

With Miller taking a loss, Clay Guida may be the next in line to take on the winner of Edgar versus Maynard.

Guida extended his streak to four straight wins when he ground his way to a decision at the Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale, defeating former WEC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.

Prior to the win, Guida took a Submission of the Night award when he choked out Pride legend Takanori Gomi at UFC 125.

"The Carpenter" has been itching for a shot at the belt and may finally get his wish, but only if he takes a win in his next outing—a reported bout with former WEC champion Ben Henderson.

Stopping Henderson's streak and taking the number one contender's spot would be a dream come true for the Greg Jackson product.

3. Ben Henderson

Ben Henderson came out and showed why he is a former champion when he dominated Jim Miller at last night's UFC on Versus 5.

Henderson found some trouble in the first round, but made a statement in the second when he pounded away at Miller with vicious elbows in top guard and landing huge strikes against the cage in the stand-up.

Now 2-0 in the UFC, early reports have the former WEC champion taking on Clay Guida, fighting for the number one contender spot and a chance to face either Frankie Edgar or Gray Maynard for the UFC belt.

Henderson, after Sunday's fight, expressed interest in facing either Guida or fellow contender Melvin Guillard, who is already set to face Joe Lauzon.

If Henderson can control another top UFC lightweight, there is no doubt he will be ready to fight for the crown.

2. Gray Maynard

It will over an eleven month wait when Gray Maynard finally gets his rematch against Frankie Edgar.

Their second bout, a January title fight at UFC 125, ended in a draw, sparking UFC President Dana White to schedule a rematch that has been postponed on numerous occasions due to injuries suffered by Maynard and the champion.

Maynard looked like he was going to take the belt in the first round of the January battle when he obliterated Edgar, dominating the round and almost finishing the champion.

Edgar, however, battled back and made turned the fight from a one-sided beat down into possibly the most exciting fight of the year.

As long as no other injuries are sustained, the two will finally get to resolve their differences in October at UFC 136.

1. Frankie Edgar

The champion Frankie Edgar will finally get to settle the score with top contender Gray Maynard when the two square off for a third time at October's UFC 136.

Edgar was able to fight back after a brutal first round at UFC 125, almost taking out Maynard himself in the last four frames of the January affair.

Prior to the match, Edgar upset UFC legend BJ Penn, defeating "the Prodigy" twice in a row to take the prized lightweight belt.

If Edgar can put an end to the Maynard situation, who he is 0-1-1 to, he can finally say with no reservation that he is the best 155er on the planet.