Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Light Heavyweight

1. Lyoto Machida (16-0)
The rematch will happen a few months later than expected, but when Machida’s hand has fully healed, the UFC light heavyweight champion will take on fellow Brazilian Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on May 8 in Montreal in a rematch of their controversial October encounter.

2. Mauricio Rua (18-4)
Though Rua would undoubtedly have preferred to get his rematch with Lyoto Machida in January, “Shogun” will have his chance to right what many observers see as one of 2009’s most egregious wrongs at UFC 113 on May 8 in Montreal.

3. Quinton Jackson (30-7)
As expected, Jackson’s bite from the acting bug has healed, and he’s headed back to the fight game. “Rampage” will square off with Rashad Evans at UFC 114 on May 29, finally wrapping up the 10th season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

4. Rashad Evans (14-1-1)
In the UFC 108 headliner, Evans did enough to outpoint Thiago Silva but underwhelmed onlookers. More will be expected come May 29, when he gets his date with rival Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 114.

5. Forrest Griffin (17-6)
Griffin got back on the horse in November, earning a well-deserved decision win over Tito Ortiz in a rematch of their April 2006 bout. However, the road will get tougher for the former light heavyweight king on May 29, when he takes on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 114 in Las Vegas.

6. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3)
“Minotoro” turned in one of the most impressive Octagon debuts in recent memory in November, blowing away heavy-hitting prospect Luis Arthur Cane in less than two minutes. Now in the stream of contenders, Nogueira can creep closer to the top of the division when he takes on Forrest Griffin at UFC 114 on May 29.

7. Muhammed Lawal (7-0)
Ever confident, “King Mo” showed open contempt for those who felt he was too inexperienced to take the Strikeforce light heavyweight title from Gegard Mousasi. On April 17, he validated his pre-fight talk, as he pounded on Mousasi for 25 minutes en route to capturing the title.

8. Gegard Mousasi (28-3-1)
With a 15-fight winning streak dating back three and a half years, Mousasi was expected to use his well-rounded skills and experience to best Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal on April 17. Instead, Mousasi spent the bout on his back and had his title taken by the upstart wrestling star.

9. Thiago Silva (14-2)
Silva carried a back injury into his Jan. 2 bout with former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, and it showed in an uninspired performance. Now healed and back in the gym, Silva eyes a summer return to the Octagon.

10. Luis Arthur Cane (10-2, 1 NC)
Cane was blown out in less than two minutes in November, when he met Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. His return to the Octagon will present another major challenge on the feet. Come UFC 114 on May 29, “Banha” will meet dangerous French striker Cyrille Diabate, who makes his UFC debut.

Other contenders: Ryan Bader, Randy Couture, Rich Franklin, Jon Jones, Vladimir Matyushenko.

* With the entry of Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal into the top 10, formerly 10th-ranked Ryan Bader falls to the contenders list.