Penn's ardent supporters always prayed for a day in which "The Prodigy" would consistently prove he is the sport's true top lightweight. At UFC 107, he did it again with a hopelessly one-sided bashing of Diego Sanchez to retain the UFC lightweight title and again raise the question of who can truly challenge the Hilo native at 155 pounds.
2. Shinya Aoki (22-4, 1 NC)
For most fans, Tatsuya Kawajiri was the preferred opponent for Aoki come New Year's Eve. However, a clash with the "Crusher" will have to wait until 2010, as Aoki's New Year's Eve date at K-1 Dynamite is with another standout Japanese lightweight: Sengoku lightweight champion Mizuto Hirota.
3. Eddie Alvarez (19-2)
In an entertaining and tougher-than-expected bout with Japanese prospect Katsunori Kikuno, the sure-fisted Alvarez continued to flaunt his grappling prowess and submitted the karateka with an arm-triangle in the second round. The victory moved Bellator's lightweight champ to 4-0 on the year with four submissions.
4. Kenny Florian (12-4)
Though B.J. Penn stole the show at UFC 107, the Memphis card also saw a former Penn challenger showcase his skills. Florian demonstrated his new look as a boxer, counterpunching Clay Guida to set up a smooth second-round submission victory.
5. Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)
Kawajiri, and fans alike, fancied a bout with Dream champion Shinya Aoki on New Year's Eve. Though Kawajiri will have to wait until 2010 before getting a crack at the submission-savvy star, he will get to face another sterling Japanese lightweight on New Year's Eve when he takes on Kazunori Yokota at K-1 Dynamite on Dec. 31.
6. Gray Maynard (8-0, 1 NC)
Maynard is viewed by many as the UFC's lightweight title challenger in waiting. However, the former Michigan State wrestler will need to clear another hurdle before he can challenge B.J. Penn. He takes on Nate Diaz in the headliner of the promotion's Jan. 20 "Fight Night" card.
7. Frankie Edgar (11-1)
At "The Ultimate Fighter 10" finale on Dec. 10, Edgar displayed his still-developing skills by outboxing and then choking out previously unbeaten Matt Veach. The sound victory will help "The Answer" keep pace in a hotly competitive and cutthroat UFC lightweight division.
8. Gilbert Melendez (17-2)
In consecutive fights against Rodrigo Damm and Mitsuhiro Ishida, Melendez showed mature performances and vastly improved boxing. In his rematch with Josh Thomson, Melendez outdid himself, avenging his June 2008 loss to Thomson and regaining the Strikeforce title in the best performance of his career.
9. Sean Sherk (33-4-1)
After a separated shoulder kept him out of a November bout with Gleison Tibau, Sherk was scheduled to face Rafaello Oliveira and then Jim Miller at UFC 108. Then Sherk became the latest victim of the seeming UFC 108 curse, suffering a cut in training that forced him out of the bout with Miller. His spot will now be taken by veteran striker Duane Ludwig.
10. Mizuto Hirota (12-3-1)
Hirota was expected to defend his Sengoku lightweight title against the last man to defeat him, Kazunori Yokota, on Dec. 31. However, with the cancellation of Sengoku's own New Year's Eve show, the heavy hitting Hirota will get an even more prized fight, as he takes on Shinya Aoki at K-1 Dynamite to end 2009.
Other contenders: Gesias Cavalcante, Tyson Griffin, Joachim Hansen, Jim Miller, Diego Sanchez.
*With the re-entry of Melendez, formerly 10th-ranked Joachim Hansen falls just outside the top 10.