Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Lightweight

1. Frankie Edgar (13-1)
In August, Edgar proved he was no fluke, dominating B.J. Penn over five rounds. However, the major hurdle for Edgar will now come as we enter 2011. On Jan. 1 at UFC 125, he will defend his title for the second time, risking the strap against unbeaten Gray Maynard -- the only man to beat “The Answer.”

2. Gilbert Melendez (18-2)
With his girlfriend giving birth to their first daughter in August, Melendez is now primarily concerned with paternal duties. However, fans and media are beginning to bang the drum for a Strikeforce-versus-Bellator Fighting Championships showdown between Melendez and Eddie Alvarez -- the most attractive lightweight bout that can be made outside the UFC.

3. B.J. Penn (15-7-1)
After a pair of disheartening back-to-back losses to Frankie Edgar, Penn claims he contemplated retirement. Instead, UFC President Dana White knew how to excite “The Prodigy.” At UFC 123 on Nov. 20, Penn will meet rival Matt Hughes in a rubber match to settle his score with the man he beat for the UFC welterweight title in 2004. Hughes stopped him in their 2006 rematch.

4. Gray Maynard (10-0, 1 NC)
Maynard has been vocal for months about deserving a UFC lightweight title shot. “The Bully” will finally get his chance as the year rolls over. He meets champion Frankie Edgar on Jan. 1 at UFC 125 in his own adopted backyard of Las Vegas.

5. Shinya Aoki (26-5, 1 NC)
In a no-brainer, Aoki returned to the promotion that launched his career – Deep -- for its 10th anniversary show on Oct. 24. It took him only 60 seconds to keylock MMA neophyte Yokthai Sithoar, a former muay Thai and boxing world champion.

6. Eddie Alvarez (21-2)
In his Oct. 21 bout with Roger Huerta, Alvarez was positively destructive, using his uppercut and newly found low kicks to batter the UFC veteran and force the doctor to halt the fight after 10 minutes. Alvarez took the post-fight opportunity to call out Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, and the promotion itself further exacerbated the call for the crossover mega-fight.

7. Kenny Florian (14-5)
Florian did not fight up to expectations in August, when he had little to offer Gray Maynard in their 155-pound title eliminator. There will be no soft bounce-back fight for the Bostonian, as “Ken Flo” has signed on to face fast-rising lightweight prospect Evan Dunham at UFC 126 on Feb. 5.

8. Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-6-2)
Many tabbed Kawajiri to be the next Dream champion, figuring he had exactly the right skill set to replicate what Gilbert Melendez did to Shinya Aoki in April. However, on July 10, Kawajiri spent most of the night fending off foot locks, until finally tapping out to Aoki less than two minutes into the first round.

9. Sean Sherk (36-4-1)
After 16 months on the shelf due to a plethora of injuries, Sherk returned to action at UFC 119 against unbeaten up-and-comer Evan Dunham. After a strong first round, Sherk flagged in the bout, losing in the eyes of most onlookers. However, two of three people that matter -- the judges -- sided with Sherk, who secured a crucial but highly unpopular win.

10. Evan Dunham (11-1)
At UFC 119, there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth over Dunham’s controversial split decision loss to Sean Sherk. However, Dunham is still being treated like a winner. He will meet divisional standout Kenny Florian at UFC 126 come Super Bowl weekend on Feb. 5.

Other contenders: Takanori Gomi, Benson Henderson, Jim Miller, George Sotiropoulos, Josh Thomson.