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Flyweight

1. Demetrious Johnson (17-2-1)

As expected, Johnson’s speed played a huge factor in his Jan. 26 title defense against John Dodson, but it was the endurance and late offense from “Mighty Mouse” which won him the day. Johnson was set to make his second flyweight title defense against John Moraga at the “The Ultimate Fighter 17” Finale, but an injury forced the AMC Pankration representative to withdraw from the event’s headliner. Instead, Johnson gets his second opportunity to headline a network television card, as he meets Moraga at UFC on Fox 8 in Seattle.

2. Joseph Benavidez (18-3)

Since losing a close five-round decision to Demetrious Johnson in September, Benavidez has done little to dispel the notion that he is the world’s No. 2 flyweight. The Team Alpha Male member dispatched former world No. 1 Ian McCall in February before stopping Darren Uyenoyama in the second round at UFC on Fox 7, likely putting Benavidez in line for another shot at gold.

3. Ian McCall (11-4-1)

To say the world’s former No. 1 flyweight has had a rough start to his UFC career would be an understatement. After drawing with and losing to current champion Demetrious Johnson, “Uncle Creepy” looked to right the ship at UFC 156 but dropped a clear-cut decision to Joseph Benavidez, marking the first back-to-back losses of McCall’s career.

4. John Dodson (14-6)

Dodson showed flashes of the power that many felt could win him the UFC flyweight title, though he ultimately came up short on Jan. 26, falling to Demetrious Johnson in a five-round unanimous decision. The loss was Dodson’s first setback in the UFC and snapped a five-fight winning streak for “The Magician.”

5. Jussier da Silva (14-2)

The second loss of da Silva’s career came at the most inopportune time, as “Formiga” fell in his October UFC debut via second-round TKO at the hands of eventual title challenger John Dodson. The Brazilian grappler will be back in action on home soil come May 18, when he is slated to take on former bantamweight standout Chris Cariaso at UFC on FX 8.

6. Darrell Montague (12-2)

Montague used solid combinations and constant pressure to score a hard-fought split decision victory over former Shooto champion Mamoru Yamaguchi on Christmas Eve in Tokyo. As one of the top 125-pound talents not currently signed to a UFC contract, it seems only a matter of time before the Tachi Palace Fights veteran gets a chance to showcase his skills in the Octagon.

7. Louis Gaudinot (6-2)

Gaudinot used his grappling to thrill in his May comeback win against Brazilian thumper John Lineker. The green-haired New Yorker was set to return against Darren Uyenoyama on Oct. 5 before an unspecified injury knocked Gaudinot from the bout.

8. John Lineker (20-6)

After stumbling in his Octagon debut, Lineker showed what all the hype surrounding him was about by dismantling Shooto export Yasuhiro Urushitani in a dominant unanimous decision in November. The Brazilian slugger will get to fight at home for his next outing, when he welcomes Russian “Tough Guy” Azamat Gashimov to the 125-pound ranks at UFC on FX 8 in May.

9. John Moraga (13-1)

The once-beaten Arizona Combat Sports representative has made a serious splash with his first two UFC outings, besting Ulysses Gomez and Chris Cariaso. Moraga has been rewarded for his efforts with a title shot against Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Fox 8.

10. Will Campuzano (12-4)

Since his release from the UFC in 2011 as a bantamweight, Campuzano has won four in a row with two knockouts and one submission. The Texan’s only decision win came in the most recent defense of his Legacy Fighting Championship flyweight title, a gritty five-rounder over previously unbeaten Brazilian youngster Allan Nascimento on April 12.

Other contenders:

Chris Cariaso, Joshua Sampo, Sean Santella, Yasuhiro Urushitani, Mamoru Yamaguchi.