Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Flyweight

1. Ian McCall (11-2)
Since bowing out of a Dec. 2 defense of his Tachi Palace Fights title, “Uncle Creepy” has relocated to the Octagon. McCal, once a WEC bantamweight, will have a chance to become the UFC’s first flyweight titleholder, but for starters, he’ll have to get through Demetrious Johnson on March 3 in Sydney.

2. Jussier da Silva (14-1)
The grappling game of Brazil’s best flyweight claimed another victim on Dec. 15 when the ant-man topped previously unbeaten Rodrigo “Indio” Santos via first-round rear-naked choke. With three straight victories since his February loss to McCall, Formiga seems to be moving ever-closer to a big-stage debut.

3. Yasuhiro Urushitani (19-4-6)
After spending nearly 11 years competing in his native Japan, Shooto’s 123-pound world champ has finally joined the UFC. Urushitani won’t have it easy for his first time in the Octagon, as he’ll tangle with former WEC bantamweight contender Joseph Benavidez in the semifinals of the company’s flyweight title tournament.

4. Mamoru Yamaguchi (26-6-3)
The 34-year-old flyweight star suffered a hit on Aug. 5, as he lost a sound unanimous decision to Brazilian standout Jussier da Silva. Fortunately for Yamaguchi, his fan-friendly nature and action-packed style will continue to secure him fights on both sides of the Pacific.

5. Darrell Montague (9-2)
Montague started fast in his first Tachi Palace Fights flyweight title defense, but he could not stand up to the pressure of challenger Ian McCall. Montague was forced to tap in the second frame, but the talented and dynamic 23-year-old still figures to play a formative role in the flyweight division going forward.

6. Shinichi "B.J." Kojima (12-4-5)
The former ruler of the 125-pound roost has gone straight back to work since returning from his two-year layoff in August, earning two wins inside three months. Kojima’s most recent trip to the ring saw him earn a lackluster Nov. 5 unanimous decision over reigning super-flyweight King of Pancrase Kiyotaka Shimizu.

7. Yuki Shojo (11-6-2)
Shojo got his chance at the Shooto world title, but he could not replicate his 2008 victory over Yasuhiro Urushitani. This time around, the Shooto world champion knocked Shojo flat with a crushing head kick, sending him to the figurative back of the line in Shooto's 123-pound division.

8. Kiyotaka Shimizu (10-6-2)
Shimizu fell for the first time in two years on Nov. 5, falling to former Shooto world champion Shinichi Kojima. Now, Shimizu will look to get back on track by defending his own title, staking his 125-pound King of Pancrase title against Seiji Ozuka on Jan. 28.

9. Louis Gaudinot (5-1)
Gaudinot came up short in his UFC debut on Dec. 3, when he was dealt his first loss since June 2009 by rangy bantamweight Johnny Bedford. With the 125-pound division coming soon to the Octagon, however, the green-haired “TUF 14” standout will have a chance to shine at his natural weight.

10. Jose Maria Tome (28-3, 2 NC)
Jose Maria Tome’s record might be largely glossy, but the 29-year-old Brazilian is one of the country’s fastest rising talents. With five wins and four first-round submissions in 2011 alone, Tome’s shot at a bigger show stateside might not be far away.

Other contenders: Fumihiro Kitahara, Dustin Ortiz, Josh Rave, Mitsuhisa Sunabe, Ryosuke Tanuma.