Strikeforce Grand Prix Results: Ranking the Top 10 Light Heavyweights in MMA

On Saturday night, the semifinals of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix took place.

Daniel Cormier was able to upset Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva with a first-round knockout, and Josh Barnett was able to submit Sergei Kharitonov, also in the first round.

With that, the finals were set up, and Daniel Cormier will take on Josh Barnett.

In addition to the heavyweight action, there were two borderline top-10 light heavyweights in action in Roger Gracie and Muhammed Lawal.

Lawal was able to knockout Gracie in the first round, but was it enough to push him into the top 10 light heavyweights in the world?

Read on to find out.

No. 10: Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva (14-2 [1 NC]) is currently suspended from the UFC after falsifying his drug test after UFC 125.

At that event, he handed Brandon Vera a three round beating, including a few open palm slaps mixed in there.

Silva is due to return in early 2012, and he has the potential to be a top-five fighter. Hopefully he can work his way back up.

No. 9: Alexander Gustafsson

Alexander Gustafsson (12-1) is one of the brightest prospects in the light heavyweight division.

Gustafsson is 4-1 in the UFC, and his only career loss was to Phil Davis in his second UFC fight.

In his last fight, he TKO'd Matt Hamill all the way to retirement, and ended the fight at 3:41 of the second round.

Gustafsson could have a bright future ahead of him.

No. 8: Phil Davis

Phil Davis (9-0) is another bright prospect in the division who could contend for the title at some point in the future.

Davis has been perfect in his career, and obviously in his UFC career. He has gone 5-0 inside the Octagon.

He was going to fight Rashad Evans in the main event of UFC 133, but an injury forced him out of the biggest opportunity of his career.

No. 7: Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin (18-7) is the former UFC light heavyweight champion, but hasn't been all that great since losing the belt.

Since the loss to Rashad Evans, Forrest has gone 2-2, with a knockout loss to Anderson Silva, two decision victories over Tito Ortiz and Rich Franklin, and most recently, a knockout loss to Mauricio Rua.

Forrest has been talking lately about how he has peaked and isn't getting any better. He doesn't appear to have much fight left in him.

No. 6: Dan Henderson

Dan Henderson (28-8) is the current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion. He is also the former Pride middleweight (205) and welterweight (183) champion.

Henderson is on a three fight winning streak, with three knockouts over Renato Sobral, Rafael Cavalcante and Fedor Emelianenko.

Hendo is now a free agent and is in talks to sign with the UFC, so he may soon make his return to the Octagon.

No. 5: Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida (17-2) is the former UFC light heavyweight champion.

Machida recently recovered from the first two fight losing streak of his career, during which time he lost to Mauricio Rua and Rampage Jackson.

Machida's next fight is yet to be announced, but he can't be more than one or two fights away from another shot at the light heavyweight title.

No. 4: Rampage Jackson

Rampage Jackson (32-8) is the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and the current No. 1 contender to the belt.

Rampage earned his title shot when he defeated Matt Hamill at UFC 130, and when the timing didn't work out for Rashad Evans to get the shot.

Rampage takes on Jones for the title at UFC 135 on September 24.

No. 3: Shogun Rua

Mauricio Rua (20-5) is the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and recently demolished Forrest Griffin.

Shogun is now 4-3 in his UFC career, and has held and lost the light heavyweight title.

Dana White said Shogun was two fights away from another title shot prior to his defeating Forrest Griffin, so Shogun's next fight could be a No. 1 contender match.

No. 2: Rashad Evans

Rashad Evans (16-1-1) is the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and is next in line for a crack at the belt after Rampage Jackson.

Evans got totally screwed out of his title shot due to injuries to every possible person involved, but he now has his No. 1 contender status back.

Everyone knows the story of the grudge that Evans now has against former teammate Jon Jones, so lets hope we can see these two fight soon.

No. 1: Jon Jones

Jon Jones (13-1) is the current UFC light heavyweight champion, and him being No. 1 on this list should come as a surprise to nobody.

Jones has demolished everyone in his path, including Matt Hamill, his lone loss, which came via DQ.

Jones will attempt to defend his title against Rampage Jackson at UFC 135.

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Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @tmt2393.