UFC Power Rankings: The 5 Best Fights of the Summer

Over the course of this summer, UFC fans have witnessed some of the greatest fights known to man. We have seen spectacular TKOs, submissions and decisions. We have seen fighters make names for themselves, while others have fallen off the charts.

Because of these athletes' exceptional performances, the UFC continues to become the world's fastest growing sport. While we have seen a countless number of great fights, there were some that stood above the rest.

The following is a power ranking of the five best UFC fights of this summer. Sit back and enjoy.

5. UFC 131: Mark Muñoz vs. Demian Maia

Mark Muñoz and Demian Maia both entered UFC 131 on two-fight win streaks. Munoz was most recently victorious against Aaron Simpson and CB Dollaway, while Maia was coming off successful bouts against Mario Miranda and Kendall Grove. In fact, Maia's last loss came in a title shot against arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history, Anderson Silva.

While Muñoz and Maia didn't win Fight of the Night, they sparked a lot of headlines, and more importantly, they won over the hearts of fans. Muñoz out-struck Maia 44 to 32. "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" also took Maia down on three different occasions.

Maia tried submitting Muñoz several times but was unsuccessful. In the end, Muñoz walked away from UFC 131 victorious, his sixth win in his last seven fights. The effort of both fighters earned them fifth place in these power rankings.

4. UFC Live 5: Chris Lytle vs. Dan Hardy

With UFC Live 5 being Chris Lytle's final fight before retirement, he looked to come out on top. Hardy, on the over hand, was on the complete opposite side of the spectrum. Hardy won his first four career UFC bouts before eventually losing a title fight to George St. Pierre. Since then, Hardy has lost four straight fights, having not won since November of 2009.

Lytle showed little pitty for Hardy as he displayed one of the greatest performances of his career. Lytle completely dominated the fight out-striking the "Outlaw" a lopsided 127 to 61.

In his final UFC fight, Lytle submitted Hardy in the third round of action, topping off a spectacular career. Lytle and Hardy's performance earns them fourth on the power rankings.

3. UFC 131: Dave Herman vs. Jon-Olav Einemo

At UFC 131, Dave "Pee Wee" Herman and Jon-Olav Einemo both entered the Octagon looking for their first official UFC victory. It was each fighter's UFC debut, and neither had high expectations from the fan base in Vancouver. Despite few credentials from Herman and Einemo, the two put on the best fight of the night and won over many fans.

Fireworks lit immediately, as the two squared off in their UFC debuts. Herman out-struck Einemo 55 to 34 ,and each took the other down once. In the second round of action, Herman would land a blow that knocked Einemo down and finished the fight from there.

Herman earned his first UFC victory, and the two shared Fight of the Night honors. This bout ranked third best of the summer of 2011.

2. UFC Live 4: Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry

Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry squared off at UFC Live 4, each looking to get his career back on track. Kongo came into UFC Live 4 losing two of his last four fights, including one draw. Barry entered with a mediocre career, alternating wins and losses in each of his fights.

Kongo and Barry came out swinging early as Kongo landed several leg kicks. Barry took advantage and knocked down Kongo. As Kongo made his way back to his feet, Barry knocked him down again. It appeared Barry was about to be victorious, right before Kongo landed the winning blow knocking out Barry.

While the fight only lasted one round, the fans were on their feet and witnessed one of the best square-offs of the summer. Kongo and Barry's exciting bout earned them send on these power rankings.

1. UFC 132: Urijah Faber vs. Dominick Cruz

Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz entered UFC 132 as the main event of the evening. Prior to the event, there was much speculation to whether or not a bantamweight could be the heart of a fight card. Faber and Cruz proved it was possible.

It was Cruz's first official fight since UFC and WEC joined forces and only Faber's second. The 135-pounders began scrapping early and often. The "California Kid" had the fans chanting his name, as the two continued to exchange punches.

Cruz landed 90 strikes to Faber's 50. Cruz also took Faber down four times and got his revenge on Faber by unanimous decision after five exciting rounds of action. Cruz was victorious for the eighth straight time and Faber's two-fight win streak came to an end.

The two have already agreed to square off for a third time and that is exactly what the fans want. Faber and Cruz's efforts earned them the best UFC fight of summer 2011.