UFC 136: Gray Maynard and the Top 5 Undefeated Fighters

When lightweight contender Gray Maynard steps into the Octagon this Saturday to battle UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar for the third time, he will be fighting for more than a UFC title. 

At 11-0-1, Maynard brings an unblemished record to the fight, and an undefeated fighter is always the toughest to beat. They sometimes have the most to lose for that reason.

Maynard is the one who handed Edgar his only career loss, and he will hope to extend his undefeated record at UFC 136.

Outside of the lightweight division, which is arguably the most stacked and hardest to get through without being beaten, there are plenty of other undefeated fighters hoping to keep it that way long after they challenge for a UFC championship. In some cases, they already do.

These are the top five undefeated fighters who are in the UFC.

Notable Mention: Edson Barboza (9-0)

Among the many contenders in the lightweight division, there are only a few that are undefeated.

Brazilian Muay Thai expert Edson Barboza is one of them, and is quickly rising through the ranks after his decision win over Ross Pearson at UFC 134.

It was his third fight in the UFC and earned him his second fight of the night bonus. The other came against Anthony Njokuani at UFC 128.

Although he is undefeated in MMA, he did not go unbeaten in professional muay thai. His record stands at 28-3 with 22 victories by knockout.

No. 5: Travis Browne (12-0-1)

There aren't many contenders outside of the top five in the heavyweight division, but undefeated up-and-comer Travis Browne is an exception.

Browne is 12-0-1 in MMA with a 3-0-1 UFC record. His lone draw was a controversial decision that many thought he had won versus Cheick Kongo.

His three UFC victories came against Stefan Struve, Rob Broughton and James McSweeney.

Browne once had a three fight stretch where he defeated Abe Wagner, Aaron Brink and Brian Campbell in 52 seconds combined while winning the VFC and Gladiator Challenge heavyweight titles at the same time.

No. 4: Phil Davis (9-0)

Former NCAA Division I wrestler Phil Davis began training for mixed martial arts in 2008. Less than two years later, he had already made his UFC debut and had beaten Brian Stann for his fifth professional victory.

Since that win, Davis has gone 4-0 with wins over Alexander Gustafsson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Tim Boetsch.

Davis was scheduled to take on former champion Rashad Evans at UFC 133, but was forced to pull out after he got injured in training.

Outside of the UFC, Davis's accomplishments include winning the 2009 No Gi Grappling World Jiu-Jitsu Championship as a blue belt.

No. 3: Chad Mendes (11-0)

On the short list of featherweight contenders, Chad "Money" Mendes is next in line for a shot at the title.

The former NCAA Division I wrestler went 4-0 in the WEC before making his UFC debut earlier this year. He defeated Michihiro Omigawa and went on to beat Rani Yahya at UFC 133 to take his overall record to 11-0.

He also is the only fighter to hold a victory over Erik Koch.

The 26-year-old currently trains with Team Alpha Male, which includes standout fighters Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez. 

No. 2: Gray Maynard (10-0-1)

Despite having the only victory over UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard will fight for the title this weekend in the third matchup with "The Answer."

Maynard began his UFC career with a no-contest bout with Rob Emerson but followed up with a nine-second KO victory of Joe Veres.

Seven UFC victories followed with wins over Edgar, Dennis Siver, Jim Miller, Roger Huerta and Nate Diaz.

When Maynard met Edgar for the second time at UFC 125, he appeared to be on his way to a quick knockout victory when he dropped the champion three times in the first round. Edgar fought back to earn a draw in one of the leading candidates for Fight of the Year.

No. 1: Cain Velasquez (9-0)

UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez started his UFC career with a 2-0 record and now sits at 9-0 with victories over some of the best fighters in the division, including six by knockout.

The Mexican American fighter was talked about being "the next big thing" when he was brought into the promotion in 2008. Velasquez had to prove himself before getting a shot at the title, and he went on a six fight win streak before finally getting his shot in 2010.

He defeated Brock Lesnar in the first round to win the heavyweight championship, and is set to defend it for the first time against Junior dos Santos on Nov. 12.

Many fans are anticipating one of the best heavyweight matchups in quite some time.