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Lightweight

1. Ben Henderson (16-2)

Twenty-five months after winning the WEC lightweight title, Henderson has positioned himself atop the UFC’s 155-pound division. “Bendo” continued his sterling streak inside the Octagon by wrestling the belt from Frankie Edgar in a five-round thriller at UFC 144. The best part: we get to see them do it again this summer, when UFC President Dana White said the pair will rematch.

2. Frankie Edgar (14-2-1)

The man often compared to Rocky Balboa fought valiantly but could not hang on to his UFC title against the bigger, stronger Benson Henderson at UFC 144. After losing a close decision to the former WEC champ, Edgar will have a chance to reclaim his gold this summer when the top-tier lightweights collide again at an as-yet-unannounced event.

3. Gilbert Melendez (20-2)

Strikeforce’s lightweight ace turned in another strong performance on Dec. 17, out-punching American Top Team slugger Jorge Masvidal across five rounds to retain his 155-pound strap. While all signs pointed to Melendez’s imminent UFC signing, it was recently announced that “El Nino” will remain in the hexagon for the time being, where he figures to have a rubber match with Josh Thomson later this year.

4. Gray Maynard (10-1-1, 1 NC)

There’s been little news from Maynard’s side since the former Michigan State Spartan was knocked out in his third meeting with Frankie Edgar last October. While the timeframe for his return remains unclear, what is known is that Maynard has parted ways with his former camp at Xtreme Couture and has recently spent time at both Nova Uniao in Rio de Janeiro and American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif.

5. Shinya Aoki (30-5, 1 NC)

After demolishing former training partner Satoru Kitaoka on Dec. 31, Aoki has lined up a rematch with the man he defeated on New Year’s Eve 2008. Though the bout has lost some of its luster since it was first proposed last year, Aoki will travel to Cleveland to take on former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez, who has gone 7-1 since tapping to an Aoki heel hook.

6. Jim Miller (21-3)

Miller’s first starring role in the Octagon went so well, he’s headed straight for another. The tenacious New Jerseyan took out Melvin Guillard with a first-round rear-naked choke Jan. 20 in the main event of UFC on FX 1. Now, Miller moves up to headlining duty for the UFC’s May 5 Fox show, where he’ll collide with Nate Diaz in a likely title eliminator.

7. Clay Guida (29-12)

Once more on the cusp of contention, Guida had his title dreams busted -- along with his four-fight winning streak -- by Ben Henderson in a thrilling Nov. 12 three-rounder. The lightweight stalwart finishes 2011 with a 2-1 mark, having topped Anthony Pettis and Takanori Gomi.

8. Anthony Pettis (15-2)

Frank Edgar and Benson Henderson might have stolen the show at UFC 144 in the main event, but Anthony Pettis wasn’t content to let his 155-pound brethren get all the shine. “Showtime” showed up in sizzling style in Saitama, kicking Joe Lauzon upside the head and knocking out the respected “J-Lau” early in the first frame.

9. Michael Chandler (9-0)

Previously unranked Chandler used heavy hands, a granite chin and his powerful collegiate wrestling base to topple Eddie Alvarez on Nov. 19, outlasting Bellator’s longtime lightweight ace to score a shocking fourth-round submission. With six impressive Bellator victories and a shiny new gold belt, Chandler awaits the winner of the promotion’s next lightweight tournament in 2012.

10. Nate Diaz (15-7)

In a critical beatdown, Nate Diaz announced his entry into UFC lightweight contendership on Dec. 30 with his thrashing of Donald Cerrone. The Cesar Gracie pupil could become the company’s next 155-pound challenger, but he’ll first have to get through Jim Miller in the May 5 main event of UFC on Fox 3.

Other contenders:

Eddie Alvarez, Donald Cerrone, Pat Healy, Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau.

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