Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Flyweight

1. Shinichi Kojima (9-3-4)
It took nearly two years, but Kojima finally did something championesque. After the undeserved draw in his March 2007 title defense against Yasuhiro Urushitani and his embarrassing, aborted run at 132 pounds, "BJ" was down two rounds to rival Mamoru Yamaguchi in their July 18 fight. Less than 90 seconds away from losing his title, Kojima locked in a tight guillotine and choked his foe unconscious to retain his title and his status as the sport's top flyweight.

2. Mamoru Yamaguchi (20-5-3)
Seeking to become the first man to lose and regain his Shooto world championship, Mamoru was less than two minutes from reclaiming his title before he was caught in a guillotine and choked out once again by Shinichi Kojima. While still one of the best in the division, Mamoru's next move seems uncertain with recent losses to his rivals Kojima and Yasuhiro Urushitani.

3. Yuki Shoujou (8-4-2)
After his February thumping at the hands of Mamoru Yamaguchi, the exciting 27-year-old did not look like he would offer much more than a spirited effort in his Sept. 28 bout with Yasuhiro Urushitani. Instead, Shoujou roared back from the brink of defeat, choking out Urushitani for the upset victory.

4. Yasuhiro Urushitani (14-4-6)
In the recent past, Urushitani's poor luck was predicated on being handed unjust draws in fights he seemingly should have won. However, in his Sept. 28 clash with Yuki Shoujou, Urushitani was a minute and a half away from certain victory when he found himself locked in a tight guillotine choke that put a legitimate blemish on his record.

5. Ryuichi Miki (7-2-3)
The spunky flyweight racked up another win Oct. 5 in taking a majority decision over Shooto graybeard Jin Akimoto. The pertinent issue for Miki is whether he can follow in the footsteps of Yuki Shoujou and penetrate the elite levels of the division.