Its no change for the top two but all change further down the order on the pound-for-pound rankings. Here is how they break down.
Some of the talking points will be the fact that BJ Penn and Shogun Rua make way for Gilbert Melendez and Dominick Cruz. However, although they may be out of the top 10, both fighters have done enough to secure their legacy. Also of interest is that of the entire top 10, Shields is the only fighter without a belt.
1. Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva
Previous Rank: 1
UFC Middleweight Champion
Record: 28-4
We had hoped for a war but after 95 seconds, Belfort lay prone to a Steven Segal inspired front kick by Anderson Silva. Next defence is against Okami at UFC Rio in August. Beyond that, it’s a potential super-fight with GSP. A move to 205 seems required now more than ever.
2. Georges ‘Rush’ St. Pierre
Previous Rank: 2
UFC Welterweight Champion
Record: 21-2
Jake Shields is supposed to offer GSP his toughest challenge yet at UFC 129, but we’ve heard this before. Zuffa may need to fast track a showdown with Nick Diaz as the UFC welterweight division has been cleaned out. 2012 should see a GSP at middleweight whether The Spider is there or not.
3. Jon ‘Bones’ Jones
Previous rank: 10
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Record: 13-1
His comprehensive destruction of Shogun justified Jones’ inclusion in any P4P Top 10. His first defence against Evans is off; it will be his biggest mental test battling his former training partner. If victorious, what about Jones versus Anderson Silva?
4. Nick Diaz
Previous rank: 9
Strikeforce Welterweight Champion
Record: 25-7
His recent victory over Paul ‘Semtex’ Daly represented Diaz’s third win over fighters considered more powerful strikers than him. Lack of viable opposition in the Strikeforce division could see a title unification sooner rather than later. Keeping Diaz interested in MMA seems to be his toughest test at the moment as a boxing bout appears to have his interest next.
5. Alastair ‘The Reem’ Overeem
Previous rank: 4
DREAM and Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion
Record: 34-11
Overeem’s Strikeforce heavyweight tournament bout with Werdum has been postponed until June. With Werdum’s star on the rise after dethroning Fedor, the Brazilian offer Overeem his sternest test for some time. Overeem can confirm his MMA status with victory.
6. Jose ‘Scarface’ Aldo
Previous ranking: 5
UFC Featherweight Champion
Record: 18-1
It’s been over five years since Aldo last lost in the MMA ring. However, inactivity and injuries are hardly the greatest preparation for hard hitting Canadian Mark Hominick. Aldo will also have to contend with making his UFC debut, defending the UFC title for the first time and 55,000 Canadians cheering on one of their own.
7. Cain Velasquez
Previous ranking: 6
UFC Heavyweight Champion
Record: 9-0
A torn rotator cuff has side-lined Velasquez until the second half of 2011. Once healed, he’ll face the winner of Lesnar v Dos Santos. The strong work ethic that propelled him to heavyweight title holder will be needed more than ever when he returns.
8. Jake Shields
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 31-4
A multi-weight, multi-promotional champion, Shields can boast victories over UFC middleweight contender Yushin Okami, Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Dan Henderson and a who’s who of welterweight contenders. The performance as much as the result against GSP will prove how good Shields is.
9. Gilbert ‘El Nino’ Melendez
Strikeforce Lightweight Champion
Record: 19-2
Melendez is veteran of World Extreme Cagefighting, Rumble on the Rock, Shooto, PRIDE and Strikeforce. Chances are he won’t be waiting long to make his UFC debut. He has avenged the only two losses on his record. With Edgar-Maynard still to be sorted out for the UFC title and Anthony Pettis (the last WEC lightweight champion) waiting in the wings, Strikeforce lightweight champion Melendez is guaranteed quality opposition for the foreseeable future.
10. Dominick ‘The Dominator’ Cruz
UFC Bantamweight Champion
Record: 17-1
As the three-time WEC bantamweight champion, Cruz became the UFC champion and will make his first defence against the only man to beat him, Urijah Faber. This was four years ago when Faber was at the peak of his powers and a weight division higher. Undefeated in eight, his lightning fast reactions and maniacal footwork have made him a hard fighter for opponents to work out.
Fergus Ryan
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