Light Heavyweight
1. Daniel Cormier (19-1)
After a second submission win over Anthony Johnson, the question for UFC light heavyweight champion Cormier quickly turned to whether or not his next title defense would come against big-punching Brit Jimi Manuwa or rival Jon Jones, the only man to defeat him. Let the mystery be solved, at least until it gets complicated with pre-fight drama: Jones-Cormier 2, the biggest 205-pound bout in MMA history, is tentatively set for UFC 214 on July 29 in Anaheim, California.2. Alexander Gustafsson (18-4)
Gustafsson's UFC Fight Night 109 headliner with Glover Teixeira was his first bout back in Stockholm since he was destroyed by Anthony Johnson in just over two minutes before 30,000 fans in January 2015. This time, however, “The Mauler” treated a Swedish UFC headlining gig as a true home game, battering Teixeira in a brilliant performance before knocking him out with three uppercuts and a right hook in the fifth round. Now, unless the UFC prefers Jimi Manuwa -- a man Gustafsson knocked out in March 2014 -- he may get a rematch with the winner of Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier 2 on July 29.3. Ryan Bader (22-5)
Bader signed a six-fight deal with Bellator MMA in March and lobbied to get a crack at the promotion's title in his debut. This demand was tempered, as the former Arizona State wrestler was lined up to meet Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal at Bellator 180 on June 24. However, Lawal pulled out due to injury, meaning “Darth Bader” will now get his debut title shot after all. On the same Bellator 180 card in New York, Bader meets 205-pound champion Phil Davis, a man he bested via split decision in the UFC in January 2015.4. Phil Davis (17-3, 1 NC)
Davis is a perfect 4-0 in Bellator MMA and holds the promotion's 205-pound title after blowing out previously unbeaten Liam McGeary in November. However, the last man to beat “Mr. Wonderful” was Ryan Bader, who did the honors under the UFC banner in January 2015. Now, courtesy of an injury to Muhammed Lawal, Davis will put his Bellator title on the line in a rematch with Bader at Bellator 180 on June 24 in New York.5. Jimi Manuwa (17-2)
With the return of Jon Jones and the Jones-Daniel Cormier rematch lined up for UFC 214, Manuwa's dream of a UFC title shot has been temporarily deferred. Fortunately, he is still on deck in case “Jonny Bones” somehow does not make it to the July 29 main event. Plus, he has a quality opponent of his own now: The “Poster Boy” will face fellow surging challenger Volkan Oezdemir in Anaheim, California, with the winner looking like a potential challenger for the Jones-Cormier 2 winner.6. Glover Teixeira (26-6)
It was not the single flash of brutality that his 13-second knockout loss to Anthony Johnson last summer was, but Teixeira took a beating from Alexander Gustafsson in their UFC Fight Night 109 main event in Stockholm. The 37-year-old Brazilian was pasted on the feet for four rounds by “The Mauler,” who then crushed Teixeira to the mat with a brutal series of uppercuts and a right hook. Teixeira is now 4-4 in his last eight starts.7. Volkan Oezdemir (14-1)
In just a few short months, Switzerland's Oezdemir has gone from anonymous light heavyweight to 205-pound contender, courtesy of his late-notice split decision over Ovince St. Preux in February and his 28-second crumpling of Misha Cirkunov on May 28. “Cousin” seems keen to seize the spotlight, instantly angling for -- and getting -- a fight with Jimi Manuwa at UFC 214 on July 29. Another top-notch win there could install the 27-year-old as the next UFC light heavyweight title challenger after just six months with the company.8. Misha Cirkunov (13-3)
Cirkunov rolled into Stockholm on May 28 having won eight straight fights, all by stoppage, with the last four in the Octagon. The Latvian-Canadian's hot streak was extinguished in a hurry, however, as he ran into Switzerland's Volkan Oezdemir -- or at least Oezdemir's right hook -- in just 28 seconds at UFC Fight Night 109. A small silver lining: At least Cirkunov signed a new deal with the UFC beforehand.9. Nikita Krylov (22-5)
In his first post-UFC bout, Krylov was scheduled to face former Bellator MMA champ Emanuel Newton at Fight Nights Global 68 on June 2. “Al Capone” instead wound up facing late replacement Stjepan Bekavac of Croatia and promptly choked him out with a standing guillotine in just 53 seconds. After 27 pro fights, the Ukrainian has still never been to a decision.10. Mauricio Rua (25-10)
We are 12 years removed from “Shogun” Rua’s legendary 2005 breakout campaign, during which he stampeded through the Pride Fighting Championships 205-pound grand prix. Now, in 2017, the 35-year-old Rua is on a three-fight winning streak, with quality victories over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Corey Anderson and Gian Villante. As a result, “Shogun” is likely to tangle with an upper-echelon light heavyweight next time out, as improbable as it seems.Other Contenders: David Branch, Ilir Latifi, Liam McGeary, Ovince St. Preux, Linton Vassell.
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