Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

---

Featherweight

1. Jose Aldo (19-1)
The violent Brazilian dynamo did not deliver one of his trademark knockouts April 30, but he did survive a late scare from Mark Hominick to win a decision in the UFC’s first featherweight title fight. Temporary on the mend to rehab a nagging neck injury, Aldo is expected to make his sophomore Octagon trip this fall. When he does, he’ll likely be defending his belt against dangerous former lightweight contender Kenny Florian.

2. Hatsu Hioki (24-4-2)
It was a foregone conclusion after Hioki vacated his Shooto world 143-pound title at the end of May, but the UFC confirmed on June 25 that Japan's top featherweight has indeed joined the Zuffa ranks. The date and opponent for the 27-year-old's Octagon debut have yet to be announced.

3. Chad Mendes (10-0)
While it appears that Mendes has been leapfrogged in the line for a shot at Jose Aldo’s UFC title, the unbeaten wrestler will still get a chance to add another big win to his resume come August. The 26-year-old Team Alpha Male prospect will take on Brazilian submission stylist Rani Yahya at UFC 133.

4. Kenny Florian (14-5)
“KenFlo” faced a stiff test in his June 11 featherweight debut and was forced to struggle through a tough opening round against Diego Nunes before taking the driver’s seat in the second and third. Given his prior accomplishments at 155 pounds, Florian’s unanimous decision win put him directly in line for a crack at Jose Aldo’s featherweight title, a matchup which could materialize this October.

5. Marlon Sandro (18-2)
Although it will go down as a split decision, there was little question as to the winner of Marlon Sandro's June 25 North American debut. The former Sengoku ace used his famously heavy hands to drub countryman Genair da Silva and advance to the semifinals of Bellator Fighting Championships' Summer Series featherweight tournament.

6. Diego Nunes (16-2)
At least for the time being, Nunes won’t have to worry about fighting teammate Jose Aldo. Despite a strong opening round, the 28-year-old “Gun” came up short in his June 11 bout with former lightweight contender Kenny Florian, dropping the last two frames on the judges’ scorecards. Nunes has since stated that he is considering a move stateside to improve his training regimen.

7. Joe Warren (7-1)
If Warren isn’t, as he claims, “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” he’s at least among the busiest. The 34-year-old Bellator featherweight champ has eyes on a bid in the promotion’s fall bantamweight tournament, as well as thoughts of competing at the 2012 London Olympics. Before any of that, however, Warren will have to defend his strap against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, the man he controversially decisioned in June 2010 to earn his shot at the title.

8. Tyson Griffin (15-5)
Former lightweight contender Griffin made a successful UFC featherweight debut on June 26, outpointing Manny Gamburyan in a three-round affair. Griffin made good use of leg kicks in his first bout at 145 pounds in nearly six years, earning a sound majority decision which could propel him onto the relatively short list of UFC featherweight contenders.

9. Manny Gamburyan (11-6)
Competing for the first time since his September knockout loss to featherweight king Jose Aldo, Gamburyan dropped a majority decision to Tyson Griffin on June 26. The judo stylist brought the fight to the floor on several occasions, but was also forced to withstand a barrage of leg kicks from Griffin over the course of their 15-minute scrap.

10. Dustin Poirier (10-1)
Poirier had his coming-out party at January’s UFC 125, where he stunned the favored Josh Grispi, and looked to follow the upset with a strong performance against Jason Young at UFC 131. The 21-year-old “Diamond” did just that, stifling the Englishman’s striking assault with damaging punches and takedowns of his own, and earning a unanimous nod after three.

Other contenders: Darren Elkins, Patricio Freire, Mark Hominick, Erik Koch, Michihiro Omigawa.

With the entry of Tyson Griffin, previously 10th ranked Patricio Freire falls to the bubble list.

Continue Reading » MMA Bantamweight Rankings