Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Lightweight

1. Frankie Edgar (13-1-1)
Injuries delayed the potential third encounter between Edgar and Gray Maynard in May. With both men healed, the lightweight trilogy is scheduled for consummation at UFC 136 on Oct. 8 in Houston, with all the 155-pound marbles up for grabs.

2. Gilbert Melendez (19-2)
In April, Melendez was in rare and brutal form, mangling the ever-tough Tatsuya Kawajiri. “El Nino” will have another difficult nut to crack come Dec. 17, when he defends his Strikeforce lightweight crown against skilled puncher Jorge Masvidal.

3. Gray Maynard (10-0-1, 1 NC)
Maynard nearly had the UFC lightweight title in his grasp on New Year's Day against Frankie Edgar. After injuries postponed a slated third bout between the two men in May, Maynard will get another chance to make amends and win the lightweight crown at UFC 136 on Oct. 8.

4. Shinya Aoki (28-5, 1 NC)
Shinya Aoki first must deal with Rob McCullough at Dream 17 on Sept. 24. However, the prized bout for the Dream lightweight champion now might come in Bellator, as the company is trying to organize a rematch between Aoki and Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez in early 2012.

5. Eddie Alvarez (22-2)
Alvarez started his career rousing partisan crowds in New Jersey. He will get to do it once again at Bellator 54 on Oct. 15, when he defends his Bellator lightweight title for the second time against Season 4 tournament winner and former University of Missouri wrestler Michael Chandler. Alvarez could also have the chance to avenge his lone loss of the past three years, as Bellator is reportedly in talks to bring Dream champ Shinya Aoki stateside for a 2012 showdown.

6. Benson Henderson (14-2)
People expected Jim Miller to use Henderson as a springboard to a UFC title shot. Instead, “Smooth” was dominant from bell-to-bell, smashing Miller from top position to take a unanimous victory and up his status in the rich 155-pound division. With his next bout, Henderson could legitimately lay claim to a title shot if he can overcome Clay Guida on Nov. 12.

7. Jim Miller (20-3)
Miller was on the doorstep of a UFC lightweight title shot but stumbled again. The New Jersey native simply could not keep up with the potent ground attack of Benson Henderson and lost a unanimous decision that will set him back in the lightweight title picture.

8. Clay Guida (29-11)
Vintage Guida was on display June 4 at “The Ultimate Fighter 13” finale, where “The Carpenter” used his frantic pace and suffocating ground game to top former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. The 29-year-old Chicagoan will try to win his fifth straight on Nov. 12 when he meets another ex-WEC titlist, Ben Henderson, in Anaheim, Calif.

9. Anthony Pettis (13-2)
UFC 136 on Oct. 8 in Houston is being lauded for its deep card, and a major part of that is Pettis' return to action. The last-ever WEC lightweight champion is tentatively scheduled to meet power-punching contemporary Jeremy Stephens on the event's undercard.

10. Melvin Guillard (29-8-2, 1 NC)
Guillard is finally fulfilling his physical talents, moving closer to a UFC lightweight title shot. The next hurdle for the Greg Jackson-led fighter is Northeastern favorite Joe Lauzon at the beefed-up UFC 136 event on Oct. 8 in Houston.

Other contenders: Rafael dos Anjos, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Jorge Masvidal, Dennis Siver, Gleison Tibau.

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