Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Bantamweight

1. Miguel Torres (35-1)
Capping a brilliant breakthrough year, Torres paved over previously undefeated Manny Tapia on Dec. 3 and retained his WEC bantamweight crown. Unlike years past, Torres has no shortage of quality challengers. One of the sport’s most exciting fighters, he will likely defend his title against Brian Bowles in early 2009.

2. Masakatsu Ueda (8-0-2)
While he did not lose his title in his first defense, Ueda failed to secure victory, as he fought Marcos Galvao to a split draw in their Sept. 28 contest at Shooto “Tradition 3.” However, Ueda remains the torchbearer for bantamweights on the other side of the ocean.

3. Brian Bowles (7-0)
Brian Bowles racked up yet another fantastic win by taking out Brazilian banger Will Ribeiro via third-round submission on Dec. 3. The win cements Bowles as the top challenger to Torres, whom he will challenge in early 2009 for the WEC bantamweight title and 135-pound supremacy.

4. Koetsu Okazaki (5-1-1)
Okazaki was quite simply outclassed by the stronger, more technical Ueda in their March 28 title showdown at Shooto “Back to our Roots 8.” What’s next for the Osaka, Japan, native remains uncertain, as he has never been much of a workhorse.

5. Atsushi Yamamoto (12-5-1)
After a hot-and-cold run as a bantamweight, Yamamoto returned to the featherweight division for the biggest fight of his career. An underdog against Hideo Tokoro at Dream 6 in September, Yamamoto’s improved stand-up earned him a unanimous decision.

6. Marcos Galvao (6-2-1)
Following a solid if not exciting showing against Shooto world champion Ueda in September, “Louro” will return to the WEC in 2009, when he will likely face American Top Team product Rafael Rebello.

7. Takeya Mizugaki (11-2-2)
Mizugaki stuck to the script, and the overwhelming favorite in Greatest Common Multiple’s Cage Force bantamweight tournament punched out veteran Masahiro Oishi in December’s final to take the title. Now, the former Shooto rookie MVP has his sights set on a WEC deal and hopes to make a debut in the promotion in early 2009, though some of his handlers want to see him stay in Japan.

8. Manny Tapia (10-1-1)
While there’s no shame in losing to the division’s best, Tapia was ripped up by Torres in his WEC 37 title bid. “The Mangler” has to take his spot at the back of the line in a deepening and intensifying bantamweight division.

9. Will Ribeiro (10-2)
Following his Dec. 3 loss to Bowles, the talented 25-year-old Brazilian was involved in a motorcycle accident in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that left him with a reported 50-50 chance to survive. While still in an induced coma, Ribeiro has reportedly made progress. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for a choice fighter.

10. Chase Beebe (11-3)
After a disappointing 2008 campaign, the former WEC bantamweight champion looks to start 2009 in better fashion when he meets Lloyd Irvin product Mike Easton for the Ultimate Warrior Challenge bantamweight crown on Feb. 21.