MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings

The lightweight division can finally breathe again, as the Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard saga finally came to a fitting conclusion on Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas at UFC 136.

After getting dropped several times in the first round, Edgar brought about deja vu and rebounded in the following rounds.

Maynard completely abandoned his wrestling game and found himself getting lit up in the standup exchanges by the faster and more technical striker.

The climax came at 3:54 of the first round, when Edgar dropped Maynard with a massive right hand.

Fans in the arena were on their feet as they watched the champion follow up with unanswered ground strikes to put an end to the most exciting rivalry of 2011.

Meanwhile, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo also kept his strap intact at UFC 136, taking a tough unanimous decision over a game Kenny Florian.

Florian had his moments on the feet, but Aldo's explosiveness, underrated ground game and otherworldly striking proved too much for the multiple division title contender.

With the win, Aldo continues to prove that he's one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but was it enough to remain ahead of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones?

Here are the latest MMA pound-for-pound rankings.

10) Gray Maynard

Apparently, the third time wasn't the charm for Gray Maynard, who was stopped in the fourth round of his rubber match with UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.

Maynard has all the physical tools to be the best lightweight in the world, but Edgar's heart continues to outshine every fighter that stands across from him.

Despite the loss, Maynard remains one of the best fighters in the world.

Don't be surprised to see a fourth bout between the rivals.

Edgar may have won the last fight, but the tally of the actually rivalry is 1-1-1.

9) Gilbert Melendez

Coming off an impressive first round TKO stoppage of formally ranked lightweight contender Tatsuya Kawajiri, Gilbert Melendez is primed to achieve bigger and better things.

If he gets past Jorge Masvidal on the December 17 Strikeforce card, Melendez could easily find himself in a champion versus champion showdown with either Frankie Edgar or Gray Maynard in a future UFC headliner.

8) Cain Velasquez

Cain Velasquez's destruction of former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 was an eye-opening experience for doubters.

Size isn't everything.

Velasquez's incredible conditioning, improved striking and dominant wrestling makes him a nightmare opponent for any man.

After being sidelined with a torn rotator cuff, he is finally set to make his return at UFC on Fox 1 against top contender Junior Dos Santos.

7) Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz continued his dominant reign as UFC bantamweight champion in his UFC on Versus 6 routing of top 135-pound contender Demetrious Johnson.

While the other UFC champions soak up the spotlight, Cruz is the champion closest to actually cleaning out his division.

6) Jon Fitch

Jon Fitch may not be the most exciting fighter in the world, according to some fans, but no one can deny his incredible work effort and accomplishments in the sport.

Since entering the UFC, Fitch has compiled a record of 13-1, with the one loss coming to welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

He recently drew even in a back and forth bout with former champion B.J. Penn.

The rematch was scheduled for UFC 132, but Fitch was forced to withdraw due to a serious shoulder injury.

In a recent post on Twitter, the former title contender said he was cleared by his doctor to resume fighting.

He is expected to face Johny Hendricks at UFC 141.

5) Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar finally had an answer for Gray Maynard at UFC 136.

After losing the first bout and drawing even in the second, Edgar put an end to one of the most exciting rivalries in recent memory with a fourth round TKO stoppage over the undefeated Maynard.

Whenever people count him out, Edgar always seems to find a way to win.

He could face either the winner of Ben Henderson versus Clay Guida, which is set to go down on November 12, or he could be slated for a showdown with Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez.

4) Jose Aldo

Jose Aldo faced his toughest opponent yet in multiple division contender Kenny Florian.

It was a great technical bout that showcased Aldo's world class striking and underrated ground game.

With the featherweight division's emergence into the UFC, there are a plethora of contenders either dropping weight classes or coming over from other promotions.

While Chad Mendes is likely next in line for a shot at Aldo's featherweight crown, Tyson Griffin and Hatsu Hioki aren't far behind.

3) Jon Jones

Jon Jones may be the greatest talent the sport has ever seen.

Despite only three wins over ranked opposition, people are already acting like Jones has cleaned out his entire division, which speaks highly of his dominance and otherworldly talent.

People act like Jones is done with the 205-pound division because they don't realistically see anyone beating him.

With that said, there is still more for the young champion to prove before he overtakes those ahead of him.

2) Georges St-Pierre

When forced to choose, it's pretty much impossible to pick a clear-cut No. 1 candidate between Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.

Both fighters are deserving of the top spot. It's like choosing between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the NFL.

At UFC 129, St-Pierre may have finally lost a round, but he coasted to another workmanlike decision over former Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields.

Some criticize St-Pierre for not finishing opponents, but it all comes down what a person considers as more dominant––Netting a quick and nasty finish, or masterfully picking a world class opponent apart for 25 minutes?

1) Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre are basically playing tag with the top spot at this point.

Overlooking Yushin Okami's questionable game plan, Silva continued his dominant ways at UFC 134, picking up a second round TKO stoppage over the top middleweight contender.

With the win, "The Spider" extends his UFC records for most consecutive wins (14) and title defenses (9).

What's next for the champ?

There are ongoing talks about possible rematches with Chael Sonnen or Dan Henderson, but Silva has already stated that he would much rather face his clone.