Lightweight
1. Ben Henderson (16-2)
Twenty-five months after winning the WEC lightweight title, Henderson has positioned himself atop the UFC’s 155-pound division. “Bendo” continued his sterling streak inside the Octagon by wrestling the belt from Frankie Edgar in a five-round thriller at UFC 144. The best part: we get to see them do it again this summer, when UFC President Dana White said the pair will rematch.
2. Frankie Edgar (14-2-1)
The man often compared to Rocky Balboa fought valiantly but could not hang on to his UFC title against the bigger, stronger Benson Henderson at UFC 144. After losing a close decision to the former WEC champ, Edgar will have a chance to reclaim his gold this summer when the top-tier lightweights collide again at an as-yet-unannounced event.
3. Gilbert Melendez (20-2)
Strikeforce’s lightweight ace turned in another strong performance on Dec. 17, out-punching American Top Team slugger Jorge Masvidal across five rounds to retain his 155-pound strap. While all signs pointed to Melendez’s imminent UFC signing, it was recently announced that “El Nino” will remain in the hexagon for the time being, where he figures to have a rubber match with Josh Thomson later this year.
4. Gray Maynard (10-1-1, 1 NC)
Maynard’s first defeat could not have come at less opportune moment, as “The Bully” was knocked out late in his crucial third meeting with Frankie Edgar last October. The former Michigan State Spartan will have a chance to get right back “in the mix,” however, when he faces always tenacious veteran Clay Guida in New Jersey come June.
5. Jim Miller (21-3)
Miller’s first starring role in the Octagon went so well, he’s headed straight for another. The tenacious New Jerseyan took out Melvin Guillard with a first-round rear-naked choke Jan. 20 in the main event of UFC on FX 1. Now, Miller moves up to headlining duty for the UFC’s May 5 Fox show, where he’ll collide with Nate Diaz in a likely title eliminator.
6. Clay Guida (29-12)
Guida was just one win away from the lightweight title shot which has eluded him since joining the UFC in 2006, but a November decision loss to Ben Henderson put him back on standby in the company’s crowded 155-pound waiting room. “The Carpenter” could move several places up in line if he can take out recent contender Gray Maynard on June 22.
7. Anthony Pettis (15-2)
Frank Edgar and Benson Henderson might have stolen the show at UFC 144 in the main event, but Anthony Pettis wasn’t content to let his 155-pound brethren get all the shine. “Showtime” showed up in sizzling style in Saitama, kicking Joe Lauzon upside the head and knocking out the respected “J-Lau” early in the first frame.
8. Michael Chandler (9-0)
With six impressive Bellator victories and a shiny new gold belt, Chandler is awaiting the winner of the promotion’s next lightweight tournament in 2012. In the meantime, however, the Mizzou Tiger alum will take on slick Japanese veteran Akihiro Gono in a non-title bout at Bellator 67 on May 4 in a stay-busy affair.
9. Nate Diaz (15-7)
In a critical beatdown, Nate Diaz announced his entry into UFC lightweight contendership on Dec. 30 with his thrashing of Donald Cerrone. The Cesar Gracie pupil could become the company’s next 155-pound challenger, but he’ll first have to get through Jim Miller in the May 5 main event of UFC on Fox 3.
10. Donald Cerrone (17-4, 1 NC)
Though it ended with a lopsided decision loss to Nate Diaz, it would be hard to qualify Cerrone’s first year in the UFC as anything but a success. The Greg Jackson-trained “Cowboy” took out Paul Kelly and Vagner Rocha, then made Charles Oliveira and Dennis Siver drop to featherweight before running into Diaz. Next up is a date with longtime Octagon resident Jeremy Stephens on May 15 in Virginia.
Other contenders:
Shinya Aoki, Eddie Alvarez, Pat Healy, Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau.With his April 20 loss to Eddie Alvarez, previously fifth-ranked Shinya Aoki falls outside of the top 10.
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