Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Light Heavyweight

1. Forrest Griffin (16-4)
The sport's unlikely 205-pound king will make the first defense of his UFC title against Evans, likely on the UFC's Dec. 27 bill in Las Vegas. While a fight against Liddell may have been promotionally more appealing, the match-up has given a previously unthinkable validation to the UFC and the “The Ultimate Fighter” brand as a whole.

2. Quinton Jackson (28-7)
While his legal issues still loom, the worst seems to be over on a personal level for Jackson. The former UFC light heavyweight champion may make his Octagon return as soon as Nov. 15 at UFC 91 in Las Vegas, possibly against former rival Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

3. Rashad Evans (12-0-1)
Not much else can be said for his thrilling knockout of Liddell at UFC 88. Evans has successfully vaulted himself to elite light heavyweight status with what may be the “Knockout of the Year.” He will now get his chance to challenge Griffin for the UFC 205-pound title.

4. Lyoto Machida (13-0)
Machida was pulled off the UFC 89 show on Oct. 18 after fellow unbeaten Thiago Silva withdrew from their scheduled match with an injury. One more victory should solidify him as the number one contender for whoever survives the upcoming battle between Griffin and Evans.

5. Chuck Liddell (21-6)
Still a dangerous and bankable fighter, Liddell's planned run to a second UFC light heavyweight championship reign was brutally thwarted by Evans in their Sept. 6 encounter. While Liddell still has considerable box-office appeal, he may never get another chance to be UFC light heavyweight king.

6. Mauricio Rua (16-3)
After a string of bad luck and nasty knee injuries, "Shogun" finally seems poised to make a return. The former Pride grand prix champion may make his return as early as November's UFC 91 show. Might a rematch with Jackson be forthcoming?

7. Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1, 1 NC)
After a vintage performance in May when he stampeded over Keith Jardine in 36 seconds, fans were left wanting more Silva ASAP. While they almost got their wish, an opponent could not be finalized for "The Axe Murderer" for the July 19 UFC Fight Night card. Fans will have to wait a little bit longer for Silva's return.

8. Keith Jardine (13-4-1)
Undoubtedly keen on erasing his brutal beating at the hands of Silva in May, Jardine will return to action at UFC 89 on Oct. 18 in England. However, "The Dean of Mean" faces a tall order in former heavyweight prospect turned light heavyweight contender Brandon Vera, who will look to rebuild his own hype after a string of uninspiring performances.

9. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (5-2)
Sokoudjou will see action on the UFC 89 card next month. The 24-year-old Cameroonian has been done no favors by the UFC, as he will have to back up his hype when he takes on Brazilian punisher Luis Arthur Cane in a fight that will almost certainly render scorecards unnecessary.

10. Thiago Silva (13-0)
Unfortunately for Silva, a back injury struck and nixed his bout with Machida at UFC 89. Fortunately, the 25-year-old Brazilian prospect has all the time in the world and will find himself in the 205-pound mix upon his return.