Middleweight
1. Anderson Silva – UFC Champion
Last Fight
After UFC 97 the popular sentiment was that Anderson Silva needed a challenge. It was decided that challenge would come from Forrest Griffin. In the end, Silva dispatched the TUF 1 champion in true pound-for-pound form.
Next Fight
Anderson Silva will sit out the rest of 2009 with an elbow injury. A fight with middleweight contender Nate Marquardt looms on the horizon.
2. Yushin Okami
Last Fight
Back in December, Okami defeated ADCC veteran Dean Lister. Since then Okami has been hit with a rash of injuries.
Next Fight
Okami will finally make his return at UFC 104 on Oct. 24 against Chael Sonnen.
3. Dan Henderson
Last Fight
It took a season of the reality show, but Henderson finally faced off with Michael Bisping. Some thought Henderson would be a stepping-stone for the TUF 3 champion. Instead, Henderson turned the Brit into a highlight reel knockout victim.
Next Fight
Henderson’s next fight will come in the UFC’s light heavyweight division against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. The former two-division Pride champion still awaits a rematch with Anderson Silva.
4. Nate Marquardt
Last Fight
In a fight between top contenders Marquardt rose to the top. The former King of Pancrase stopped undefeated Demian Maia in only 21 seconds. The win puts Marquardt right back into the middleweight title picture.
Next Fight
There have been no announcements yet. However, Marquardt seems the most likely challenger for Anderson Silva’s belt.
5. Demian Maia
Last Fight
With a shot at the title on the line, Maia showed his first sign of weakness. Nate Marquardt stopped the Brazilian jiu-jitsu master early in round one.
Next Fight
Maia’s most recent knockout loss raises questions about his ability to compete in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament.
6. Jorge Santiago – Sengoku Champion
Last Fight
Back in January, Santiago became the Sengoku champion with a come from behind victory over Kazuo Misaki.
Next Fight
The collapse of Affliction cancelled Santiago’s last bout with Vitor Belfort. Santiago will probably next fight in Sengoku, but there currently are not any clear contenders for his title.
7. Vitor Belfort
Last Fight
Belfort continued his assault on the middleweight division by destroying veteran Matt Lindland. After that, Belfort was supposed to replace Josh Barnett against Fedor Emelianenko, but Affliction collapsed instead.
Next Fight
With a new UFC contract in hand, Belfort will take on Rich Franklin at UFC 103 on Sept. 19. The bout will take place at a 195-pound catchweight.
8. Robbie Lawler
Last Fight
In a battle between former Elite XC champions, Lawler was submitted but Jake Shields. The bout was contested at a catchweight on 182 pounds.
Next Fight
He is currently under contract with Strikeforce, but Lawler sits without an opponent.
9. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Last Fight
The Japanese and Korean sensation made his UFC debut at UFC 100. He defeated Alan Belcher via split decision.
Next Fight
The UFC has not announced Akiyama’s next bout. Seeing him in the cage led many pundits to wonder if Akiyama should consider a drop to welterweight.
10. Chael Sonnen
Last Fight
The Team Quest veteran took a decision over prospect Dan Miller at UFC 98 back in May.
Next Fight
Chael Sonnen will get a chance to work himself back into the middleweight title picture at UFC 104 on Oct. 24. He will take on contenders Yushin Okami.
Others receiving votes: Michael Bisping, Paulo Filho, Kazuo Misaki
More good stuff! My list looks different but you did not get it! We spent a whole segment on the new epsiode of The Info on your Heavy and light heavy rankings!