Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Light Heavyweight

1. Lyoto Machida (16-0)
The rematch will happen a few months later than expected, but when Machida’s hand has fully healed, the UFC light heavyweight champion will take on fellow Brazilian Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on May 8 in Montreal in a rematch of their controversial October encounter.

2. Mauricio Rua (18-4)
Though Rua would undoubtedly have preferred to get his rematch with Lyoto Machida in January, “Shogun” will have his chance to right what many observers see as one of 2009’s most egregious wrongs at UFC 113 on May 8 in Montreal.

3. Quinton Jackson (30-7)
As expected, Jackson’s bite from the acting bug has healed, and he’s headed back to the fight game. “Rampage” is expected to square off with Rashad Evans at UFC 114 on May 29, finally wrapping up the 10th season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

4. Rashad Evans (14-1-1)
In the headliner of UFC 108, Evans did enough to outpoint Thiago Silva but underwhelmed onlookers. More will be expected come May 29, when he gets his date with rival Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 114.

5. Forrest Griffin (17-6)
Griffin got back on the horse in November, earning a well-deserved decision win over Tito Ortiz in a rematch of their April 2006 bout. However, the road will get tougher for the former light heavyweight king on May 29, when he takes on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 114 in Las Vegas.

6. Gegard Mousasi (28-2-1)
Mousasi will be back on American network television when Strikeforce returns to CBS on April 17. “The Dreamcatcher” will defend his Strikeforce light heavyweight crown against unbeaten amateur wrestling star Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in one of the most anticipated bouts of early 2010.

7. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3)
“Minotoro” turned in one of the most impressive Octagon debuts in recent memory in November, blowing away heavy-hitting prospect Luis Arthur Cane in less than two minutes. Now in the stream of contenders, Nogueira can creep closer to the top of the division when he takes on Forrest Griffin at UFC 114 on May 29.

8. Thiago Silva (14-2)
Following UFC 108, word came out that Silva entered his main event bout with Rashad Evans carrying a back injury. It would go a long way towards explaining the lethargic performance from the Brazilian, save for his one salvo in the third round, which came too little too late.

9. Luis Arthur Cane (10-2, 1 NC)
Cane was blown out in less than two minutes in November when he met Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. His return to the Octagon will present another major challenge on the feet. Come UFC 114 on May 29, “Banha” will meet up with dangerous French striker Cyrille Diabate, who makes his UFC debut.

10. Ryan Bader (11-0)
Bader remained unbeaten at UFC 110, acing his jump in competition. Though his win over Keith Jardine did not come easily, “The Ultimate Fighter 8” light heavyweight winner stepped up big in the third round, clobbering “The Dean of Mean” with a left hook that put him down and out.

Other contenders: Randy Couture, Rich Franklin, Keith Jardine, Vladimir Matyushenko, Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

* The entry of Ryan Bader into these rankings edges the formerly 10th-ranked Rich Franklin to the contenders list.