Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Lightweight

1. B.J. Penn (15-5-1)
After his destruction of Diego Sanchez in December, fans have all but given up hope of seeing Penn seriously threatened by another UFC lightweight. However, “The Prodigy” is due for at least one more title defense, and he will take on Frankie Edgar at UFC 112 on April 10.

2. Shinya Aoki (23-4, 1 NC)
Despite having one of MMA's deepest resumes, many fans and critics alike remain skeptical of Aoki’s stature as the sport’s No. 2 lightweight. The Dream lightweight champ will have the chance to show up his skeptics on April 17, when he makes his stateside debut against Gilbert Melendez. The fight will air live on CBS with the Strikeforce title on the line.

3. Eddie Alvarez (19-2)
In April, Bellator will kick off its second lightweight tournament to find a challenger for 155-pound champion Alvarez. In the meantime, the Philadelphian will meet UFC veteran Josh Neer in a 160-pound catchweight affair in May to stay busy.

4. Kenny Florian (13-4)
Takanori Gomi was already Shooto world champion when Florian made his professional MMA debut, but it was “Ken Flo” who looked like the real veteran in their March 31 encounter. Florian dominated the former Pride star with his jab before polishing him off in the third round with a rear-naked choke, solidifying his status in the lightweight division.

5. Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-5-2)
It was not a barnburner, but Kawajiri’s New Year’s Eve performance against a tough and underrated Kazunori Yokota was thorough and dominant. However, the real fight for the “Crusher” continues to be a potential showdown with Dream lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.

6. Gray Maynard (9-0, 1 NC)
Maynard won his Jan. 11 bout with Nate Diaz, but the controversial split decision to punctuate a lackluster fight was not enough to earn him the favor of fans and UFC brass. That means “The Bully” will continue to wait for a crack at the UFC lightweight crown.

7. Frankie Edgar (11-1)
The winner by default due to the lackluster Gray Maynard-Nate Diaz bout, Edgar has won the right to next vie for the UFC lightweight crown. “The Answer” will take on divisional ruler B.J. Penn at UFC 112 on April 10 in the United Arab Emirates.

8. Gilbert Melendez (17-2)
In December, Melendez turned in the best performance of his career, outlasting Josh Thomson over five rounds to avenge his June 2008 loss. The stakes get even higher for Melendez on April 17. He will defend his Strikeforce crown against Dream lightweight king Shinya Aoki live on CBS.

9. Sean Sherk (33-4-1)
Sherk’s injury woes continue. After pulling out of multiple fights in the last few months, another undisclosed injury forced him out of a potential bout with Clay Guida that was set for UFC on Versus 1 on March 21.

10. Mizuto Hirota (12-4-1)
Hirota expects to be back at full capacity soon following his New Year’s Eve arm-breaking debacle against Shinya Aoki. He eyes a July return, but due to his injury, Hirota opted to return the Sengoku lightweight title that he won last August and never got a chance to defend.

Other contenders: Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante, Tyson Griffin, Benson Henderson, Jim Miller, Diego Sanchez.