Light Heavyweights
1. Lyoto Machida (16-0) – Black House
Machida looked unbeatable until he fought Maricio “Shogun” Rua in what was one of the worst decisions in MMA history. Still, he got the “w” and is the UFC LHW champion. Luckily we get to see the rematch finally come to fruition in May.
2. Maricio Rua (18-4) – Universidad de Luta
The Machida fight answered any questions that fans had about Rua. He’s back and as good as he ever was. Against an opponent that looked to be unbeatable in wins over Tito Ortiz, Thiago Silva, and Rashad Evans- Rua dominated the fight. The judges just didn’t see it that way.
3. Rashad Evans (14-1-1) – Jackson’s MMA
After losing the belt to Machida, Rashad rebounded against a slower Thiago Silva although Thiago had him in trouble in the third round. Rashad will look to finally settle the feud with Rampage in May.
4. Gegard Mousasi (28-2-1) – Team Mousasi
He’s riding a 14 fight win streak and will look to extend it against fast rising “King Mo”. Mousasi recently parted ways with M1 Global and has branched out his training.
5. Quinton Jackson (30-7) – Wolfslair MMA
He’d be higher on the list if it weren’t due to his inactivity. He’s made a career out of beating the best fighters in the world and will look to continue that trend against Rashad Evans in May.
6. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3) – Black House
After getting shocked by Sokodjou three years ago, he’s rebounded nicely with six straight wins and is back to fighting on a regular schedule. Against Luis Arthur Cane we saw vintage Nogueira and he will try to get in the title mix with a win over Forrest Griffin in May.
7. Forrest Griffin (16-6) – Xtreme Couture
Forrest has had an up and down UFC career with a KO loss to Keith Jardine, back to back wins over Shogun and Rampage to win the title, then a TKO loss to Evans and an embarrassing TKO loss to Anderson Silva. However he rebounded with a decision victory over Tito Ortiz in October. His road only gets tougher though. He’s slated to face off with Rogerio Nogueira in May.
8. Randy Couture (18-10) – Xtreme Couture
Since dropping to LHW Couture is 2-0 this time around with wins over Brandon Vera and Mark Coleman. The fact that he’s even in the top 10 at 46yrs old is insane. His next fight is TBA.
9. Thiago Silva (14-2) – American Top Team
Silva looked surprisingly slow in the fight with Rashad Evans but was almost able to seal the deal in the third round but just didn’t have enough juice left in the tank. Next fight TBA.
10. Ryan Bader (11-0) – Arizona Combat Sports
With great wrestling and an improving striking game, Bader has the tools necessary to succeed in the UFC. His KO of Keith Jardine in the third round shows that he’s always dangerous no matter where the fight takes place.
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