Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Featherweight

1. Mike Thomas Brown (21-4)
Brown destroyed deserved contender Leonard Garcia in their March 1 encounter, proving he's the sport's superlative 145-pounder. However, in order to win over all critics, he'll need to replicate his November victory over Urijah Faber when the two rematch at WEC 41 on June 7.

2. Urijah Faber (22-2)
Faber's chance for revenge will come at WEC 41 on June 7 as he rematches Mike Thomas Brown for the promotion's 145-pound title and MMA's featherweight throne in front of a partisan Sacramento crowd.

3. Wagnney Fabiano (12-1)
Fabiano didn't get the stoppage he sought, but the Nova Uniao product put another win on his ledger on April 5, taking a commanding unanimous decision over fellow grappling stalwart Fredson Paixao.

4. Leonard Garcia (12-4)
The entertaining brawler was destroyed in his March 1 WEC title challenge, as champion Mike Thomas Brown ran roughshod over him in front of Garcia's own Texan crowd. However, the Greg Jackson-trained "Bad Boy" will return on June 7 at WEC 41 against a yet-to-be-named opponent.

5. Dokonjonosuke Mishima (19-6-2)
Mishima was originally sought as an entrant in Sengoku’s featherweight tournament, where he would have been an early favorite. Unfortunately, a knee injury suffered in training will keep Mishima on the shelf for the early portion of 2009. The colorful veteran plans to return to action in the early summer and defend his Deep featherweight title.

6. Hatsu Hioki (18-3-2)
Hioki looked every bit the bracket favorite he's been pegged as on March 20, as he opened the Sengoku featherweight tournament in style with a domination of previously unbeaten Chris Manuel. Next for the Nagoya native is once-beaten Briton Ronnie Mann in the quarterfinals on May 2.

7. Jose Aldo (14-1)
Aldo found little opposition in his March 1 blitzing of an overmatched Chris Mickle. The real fight now will be for WEC brass to find the dynamic Manaus native credible opposition.

8. Masakazu Imanari (16-6-1)
Imanari's March 8 bout with Atsushi Yamamoto proved more difficult than expected, but his submission attack earned him the split decision nod. Now, Imanari will await the announcement of his opponent for the Dream featherweight grand prix quarterfinals on May 26.

9. Takeshi Inoue (15-3)
"Lion Takeshi" will make the first defense of his second reign as Shooto 143-pound world champion at the Shooto 20th Anniversary card on May 10, where the current pro Shooto posterboy will face Shooto icon Rumina Sato.

10. Rafael Assuncao (13-1)
In his awaited WEC debut, Rafael Assuncao showed why critics have afforded him blue-chip prospect status, as he took a one-sided decision over a game Jameel Massouh and firmly implanted himself into the promotion's featherweight plans.

Other contenders: Josh Grispi, Yuji Hoshino, Nam Phan, Marlon Sandro, Cub Swanson.

*With his formal entry into the bantamweight division, formerly seventh-ranked Jeff Curran exits the featherweight rankings.