Junior Dos Santos takes the top spot in the heavyweight division with a knockout victory over Cain Velasquez on November 12. Dos Santos was previously ranked 2^nd overall and drops the previously undefeated and now former champion Velasquez, to number two. The rest of the heavyweight division remains the same for this month.

Heavyweights

1. Junior Dos Santos (14-1, UFC HW champion) Last fight: KO win over Cain Velasquez on November 12, 2011 to win UFC HW title. Next Fight: TBA, expected to face winner of Brock Lesnar- Alistair Overeem.

2. Cain Velasquez (9-1) Last fight: KO loss to Junior Dos Santos on November 12, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

3.Alistair Overeem (35-11-1) Last fight: UD win over Fabricio Werdum on June 18. Next fight: v. Brock Lesnar on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

4 Brock Lesnar (5-2) Last fight: TKO loss to Cain Velasquez in October 2010. Next fight: v. Alistair Overeem on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

5. Josh Barnett (30-5) Last fight:  submission win over Sergei Kharitonov on September 10, 2011. Next fight: versus Daniel Cormier in early 2012 in Strikeforce HW GP final

6. Daniel Cormier (9-0) Last fight: KO win over Antonio Silva on September 10, 2011. Next fight: versus Josh Barnett in early 2012 in Strikeforce HW GP final

7. Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) Last fight: UD loss to Alistair Overeem on June 18. Next fight: TBA, rumoured to be fighting Brendan Schaub in 2012

8. Antonio Silva (16-2) Last fight: KO loss to Daniel Cormier on September 10. Next fight: TBA

9. Frank Mir (15-5) Last fight: UD win over Roy Nelson on May 28. Next fight versus Antonio Rodgrio Nogueira on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.

10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-6) Last fight: KO win over Brendan Schaub on August 27. Next fight: v. Frank Mir on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140

Honourable mentions: Sergei Kharitonov, Roy Nelson, Fedor Emelianenko, Cheick Kongo, Shane Carwin

Dan Henderson’s decision victory over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on November 19 in his return to the UFC was enough to bump the Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight champion from 6^th to 2^nd overall this month. Shogun drops from 2^nd to 3^rd forcing Lyoto Machida to drop from 3^rd to 4^th, Rashad Evans from 4^th to 5^th and Rampage Jackson from 5^th to 6^th. The rest of the division remains unchanged this month.

Light-Heavyweights

1. Jon Jones (13-1, UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: submission win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson on September 24, 2011. Next fight: vs. Lyoto Machida on December 10

2. Dan Henderson (28-8) Last fight: UD win over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

3. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-6) Last Fight: UD loss to Dan Henderson on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

4. Lyoto Machida (17-2) Last fight: KO win over Randy Couture on April 30, 2011 Next fight: versus Jon Jones for UFC LHW title on December 10

5. Rashad Evans (15-1-1D) Last fight: TKO win over Tito Ortiz on August 6, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Phil Davis on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox 2

6.Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-8) Last fight: submission loss to Jon Jones on September 24, 2011. Next fight: vs. Ryan Bader on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144

7. Phil Davis (9-0) Last fight: UD win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on March 26, 2011 Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Rashad Evans on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox 2

8. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (10-3) Last fight: TKO win over Yoel Romero on September 10, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

9. Forrest Griffin (18-6) Last fight: KO loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on August 27, 2011.  Next fight: TBA

10. Alexander Gustafsson (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Matt Hamill on August 6, 2011. Next fight: vs. Vladimir Matysuhenko on December 30 at UFC 141

Honourable mentions: Gegard Mousasi, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Tito Ortiz, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

No movement in the middleweight division this month.

Middleweights

1. Anderson Silva (30-4, UFC Middleweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Yushin Okami on August 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

2. Chael Sonnen (26-11-1D) Last fight: submission win over Brian Stann on October 8, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting winner of Michael Bisping v. Jason Miller

3. Yushin Okami (26-5) Last fight: TKO loss to Anderson Silva on August 27, 2011. Next fight: vs. Tim Boetsch on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144

4. Mark Munoz (12-2) Last fight: TKO win over Chris Leben on November 5, 2011. Next fight: TBA

5. Demian Maia (15-3) Last fight: UD win over Jorge Santiago on October 8, 2011. Next fight: TBA

6. Vitor Belfort (19-9) Last fight: KO win over Yoshihiro Akiyama on August 6, 2011. Next fight: versus Anthony Johnson at UFC 142 on January 14, 2012

7. Michael Bisping (21-3) Last fight: TKO win over Jorge Rivera on February 27, 2011. Next fight: Jason Miller on December 3, 2011.

8. Brian Stann (11-4) Last fight: submission loss to Chael Sonnen on October 8, 2011. Next fight: TBA

9. Luke Rockhold (8-1) Last fight: UD win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza on September 10, 2011 to win Strikeforce MW title. Next fight: rumoured to be defending Strikeforce MW title vs. Keith Jardine on January 7

10. Hector Lombard (31-2-1-1NC, Bellator MW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Trevor Prangley on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Mamed Khalidov, Jorge Santiago, Rousimar Palhares, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Wanderlei Silva, Chris Weidman.

Previously 10^th ranked Rick Story’s decision loss to Martin Kampmann on March 19 knocks him out of the top 10 for December. Diego Sanchez benefits from Story’s exit and re-enters the top 10 at number 10 with a win over Martin Kampmann in his last bout and a scheduled bout with 8^th ranked Jake Ellenberger in his sights. The rest of the division remains the same.

Welterweights

1. Georges St-Pierre (22-2 UFC Welterweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Jake Shields on April 30, 2011 Next fight: defending UFC WW title versus Nick Diaz on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143

2. Nick Diaz (26-7-1D) Last fight: UD win over BJ Penn on October 29, 2011. Next fight: versus Georges St-Pierre on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143

3. Jon Fitch (23-3-1NC-1D) Last fight: majority draw v. B.J. Penn on February 27, 2011. Next fight: versus Johny Hendricks on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

4. Josh Koscheck (15-5) Last fight: KO win over Matt Hughes on September 24, 2011. Next fight: vs. Carlos Condit at UFC 143 on February 4, 2012

5. Jake Shields (26-5-1D) Last fight: KO loss to Jake Ellenberger on September 17, 2011. Next fight: vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144.

6. Carlos Condit (27-5) Last fight: KO win over Dong Hyun Kim on July 2, 2011. Next fight: vs. Josh Koscheck at UFC 143 on February 4, 2012

7. B.J. Penn (16-8-2D) Last fight: UD loss to Nick Diaz on October 29, 2011. Next fight: TBA

8. Jake Ellenberger (26-5) Last fight: KO win over Jake Shields on September 17, 2011. Next fight: vs. Diego Sanchez on February 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 1.

9. Rory MacDonald (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Mike Pyle on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

10. Diego Sanchez (23-4) Last Fight: UD win over Martin Kampmann on March 3, 2011. Next Fight: vs. Jake Ellenberger on February 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 1.

Honourable mentions: Martin Kampmann, Dong Hyun Kim, John Hathaway, Johny Hendricks,Charlie Brenneman, Thiago Alves, Rick Story.

Benson Henderson’s decision victory over Clay Guida on November 19 bumps him from 6^th to 4^th ranked lightweight in the world. Clay Guida drops from 4^th to 5^th with the loss^, which bumps Anthony Pettis down from 5^th to 6^th overall. Eddie Alvarez was previously ranked 8^th overall as the (20-2) Bellator lightweight champion but his submission loss to Michael Chandler (9-0) bumps him out of the top 10. Nate Diaz jumps from 9^th to 8^th to take Alvarez’ spot which also moves Donald Cerrone from 10^th to 9^th. Jim Miller re-enters the top 10 at number 10.

Lightweights

 1.Frankie Edgar (14-1-1, UFC Lightweight Champion) Last fight: KO win over Gray Maynard on October 8, 2011 to defend UFC LW title. Next fight: vs. Benson Henderson on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144 for UFC LW title.

 2. Gray Maynard (10-1-1D-1NC) Last fight: KO loss to Frankie Edgar on October 8, 2011 at UFC 136. Next fight: TBA

 3. Gilbert Melendez (19-2, Strikeforce LW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Tatsuya Kawajiri on April 4, 2011. Next fight: versus Jorge Masvidal for Strikeforce LW title on December 17, 2011.

 4.Benson Henderson (15-2) Last fight: UD win over Clay Guida on November 12, 2011. Next Fight: vs. Frankie Edgar on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144 for UFC LW title.  

 5.Clay Guida (29-12) Last fight: UD loss to Benson Henderson on November 12, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

6. Anthony Pettis (12-2) Last fight: SD win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 on October 8, 2011. Next fight: vs. Joe Lauzon on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144.

 7. Shinya Aoki (28-5-1NC, DREAM LW champion ) Last fight: submission win over Rob McCullough on September 24, 2011 at DREAM 17. Next fight: vs. Satoru Kitaoka on December 31, 2011 at DREAM New Year’s Eve 2011.

8. Nate Diaz (14-7) Last fight: submission win over Takanori Gomi on September 24, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Donald Cerrone on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141.

9. Donald Cerrone (17-3-1) Last Fight: submission win over Dennis Siver on October 29, 2011. Next fight: vs. Nate Diaz on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141.

10. Jim Miller (20-3) Last Fight: UD loss to Benson Henderson on August 14, 2011. Next Fight: vs. Melvin Guillard on January 20, 2012 at UFC on FX 1.

Honourable mentions: Rafael Dos Anjos, Jorge Masvidal, Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon, Terry Etim, Eddie Alvarez, Michael Chandler.

Dustin Poirier’s submission win over (11-2) Pablo Garza is enough to enter him into the top 10 at number 10. Poirier’s entry bumps previously 10^th ranked Bellator contender, Pat Curran out of the top 10 this month.

Featherweights

1.Jose Aldo (20-1, UFC Featherweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Kenny Florian to defend UFC FW title on October 8. Next fight: defending title versus Chad Mendes at UFC 142 on January 14, 2012.

 2. Chad Mendes (11-0) Last fight: UD win over Rani Yahya on August 6, 2011. Next fight: versus Jose Aldo for UFC FW title on January 14, 2012 at UFC 142.

 3. Hatsu Hioki (24-4-1) Last fight: SD win over George Roop on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137. Next fight: vs. Bart Palaszewski on February 25, 2012 at UFC 144.

 4. Mark Hominick (20-9) Last fight: UD loss to Jose Aldo on April 30, 2011 for UFC FW title. Next fight: vs. Chan Sung Jung on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.

 5. Kenny Florian (16-6) Last Fight: UD loss to Jose Aldo on October 8, 2011 at UFC 136. Next fight: TBA

6. Diego Nunes (16-2) Last fight: UD loss to Kenny Florian on June 11, 2011. Next fight: vs. Manvel Gamburyan on December 30, 2011 at UFC 14                                                                                           

7. Eric Koch (13-1) Last fight: UD win over Jonathan Brookins on September 17, 2011. Next fight: vs. Dustin Poirier on February 4 at UFC 143

8. Darren Elkins (13-2) Last fight: UD win over Zhang Tiequan on    October 8, 2011 at UFC 136. Next fight: TBA

9. Joe Warren (7-2, Bellator FW champion) Last fight: KO loss to Alexis                Vila on September 24, 2011 in first round of Bellator BW tournament. Next Fight: vs. Pat Curran for Bellator FW title in early 2012.

10. Dustin Poirier (11-1) Last Fight: submission win over Pablo Garza on November 12, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Dustin Poirier, Manny Gamburyan, Marlon Sandro, Bart Palaszewski, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Pat Curran.

Urijah Faber’s submission victory over Brian Bowles is enough to move him from 6^th overall in November to 4^th in December. Brian Bowles was previously ranked 2^nd overall and now drops to 6^th. Joseph Benavidez moves up from 3^rd to 2^nd while Scott Jorgensen moves up from 4^th to 3^rd. Demetrious Johnson remains in 5^th and the rest of the division remains unchanged.

Bantamweights

1. Dominick Cruz (19-1, UFC Bantamweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Demetrious Johnson on October 1, 2011 to defend UFC BW title. Next fight: expected to face Urijah Faber for UFC BW title in 2012

2. Joseph Benavidez (14-2) Last fight: UD win over Eddie Wineland on August 14, 2011. Next fight: TBA

3. Scott Jorgensen (13-4) Last fight: UD win over Jeff Curran on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137. Next fight: TBA

4. Urijah Faber (25-5) Last fight: submission win over Brian Bowles on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: expected to face Dominick Cruz for UFC BW title in 2012.

5. Demetrious Johnson (10-2) Last fight: UD loss to Dominick Cruz on October 1, 2011. Next Fight: rumoured to be fighting Eddie Wineland on Janaury 28 at UFC on Fox 2

6. Brian Bowles (10-1) Last fight: submission loss to Urijah Faber on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

7. Miguel Torres (39-4) Last fight: UD win over Nick Pace on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

8. Renan Barao (27-1-1) Last fight: submission win over Brad Pickett on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137. Next fight: TBA

9. Michael McDonald (13-1) Last fight: KO win over Alex Soto on November 19, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

10. Bibiano Fernandes (9-3) Last fight: submission win over Takafumi Otsuka on September 24, 2011 at DREAM 17. Next fight: vs. Rodolfo Marques Diniz in BW Grand Prix semifinal at DREAM: New Year’s Eve 2011 on December 31, 2011.

Honourable mentions: Eddie Wineland, Takeya Mizugaki, Damacio Page, Antonio Banuelos, Masakazu Imanari, Brad Pickett.

No movement in the Heavyweight division this month. None of the top 10 fighters were in action.

Heavyweights

1. Cain Velasquez (9-0, UFC Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Brock Lesnar on October 23, 2010. Next fight: Junior Dos Santos on November 12, 2011.

2. Junior Dos Santos (13-1) (No. 1 contender in UFC HW division) Last fight: UD win over Shane Carwin on June 11. Next fight: Cain Velasquez on November 12, 2011.

3.Alistair Overeem (35-11-1) Last fight: UD win over Fabricio Werdum on June 18. Next fight: v. Brock Lesnar on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

4 Brock Lesnar (5-2) Last fight: TKO loss to Cain Velasquez in October 2010. Next fight: v. Alistair Overeem on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

5. Josh Barnett (30-5) Last fight:  submission win over Sergei Kharitonov on September 10, 2011. Next fight: versus Daniel Cormier in early 2012 in Strikeforce HW GP final

6. Daniel Cormier (9-0) Last fight: KO win over Antonio Silva on September 10, 2011. Next fight: versus Josh Barnett in early 2012 in Strikeforce HW GP final

7. Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) Last fight: UD loss to Alistair Overeem on June 18. Next fight: TBA

8. Antonio Silva (16-2) Last fight: KO loss to Daniel Cormier on September 10. Next fight: TBA

9. Frank Mir (15-5) Last fight: UD win over Roy Nelson on May 28. Next fight versus Antonio Rodgrio Nogueira on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.

10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-6) Last fight: KO win over Brendan Schaub on August 27. Next fight: v. Frank Mir on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140

Honourable mentions: Sergei Kharitonov, Roy Nelson, Fedor Emelianenko, Cheick Kongo, Shane Carwin

No changes in the light-heavyweight division in October. None of the top 10 fighters were in action.

Light-Heavyweights

1. Jon Jones (13-1, UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: submission win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson on September 24, 2011. Next fight: vs. Lyoto Machida on December 10

2. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-5) Last fight: KO win over Forrest Griffin on August 27, 2011. Next fight: versus Dan Henderson on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139

3. Lyoto Machida (17-2) Last fight: KO win over Randy Couture on April 30, 2011 Next fight: versus Jon Jones for UFC LHW title on December 10

4. Rashad Evans (15-1-1D) Last fight: TKO win over Tito Ortiz on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

5. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-8) Last fight: submission loss to Jon Jones on September 24, 2011. Next fight: TBA

6. Dan Henderson (27-8, Strikeforce LHW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Fedor Emelianenko on July 30, 2011. Next fight: versus Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139

7. Phil Davis (9-0) Last fight: UD win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on March 26, 2011 Next fight: TBA

8. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (10-3) Last fight: TKO win over Yoel Romero on September 10, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

9. Forrest Griffin (18-6) Last fight: KO loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on August 27, 2011.  Next fight: TBA

10. Alexander Gustafsson (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Matt Hamill on August 6, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Vladimir Matysuhenko on December 30 at UFC 141

Honourable mentions: Gegard Mousasi, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Tito Ortiz, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

Nate Marquardt stripped of 4^th spot because he is fighting Yoshiyuki Yoshida as a Welterweight in February 2012 for BAMMA. Marquardt’s absence allows Mark Munoz, Demian Maia and Vitor Belfort to all move up one slot from last month’s rankings. Brian Stann’s loss to Chael Sonnen on October 8^th keeps him as the 8^th ranked middleweight in the world but allows Michael Bisping to jump ahead of him for 7^th. Bisping was previously ranked 9^th in the world. Nate Marquardt’s absence also allows Luke Rockhold to move up from 10^th to 9^th and introduces Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard to the top 10.

Middleweights

1. Anderson Silva (30-4, UFC Middleweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Yushin Okami on August 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

2. Chael Sonnen (26-11-1D) Last fight: submission win over Brian Stann on October 8, 2011. Next fight: TBA

3. Yushin Okami (26-5) Last fight: TKO loss to Anderson Silva on August 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

4. Mark Munoz (12-2) Last fight: TKO win over Chris Leben on November 5, 2011. Next fight: TBA

5. Demian Maia (15-3) Last fight: UD win over Jorge Santiago on October 8, 2011. Next fight: TBA

6. Vitor Belfort (19-9) Last fight: KO win over Yoshihiro Akiyama on August 6, 2011. Next fight: versus Anthony Johnson at UFC 142 on January 14, 2012

7. Michael Bisping (21-3) Last fight: TKO win over Jorge Rivera on February 27, 2011. Next fight: Jason Miller on December 3, 2011.

8. Brian Stann (11-4) Last fight: submission loss to Chael Sonnen on October 8, 2011. Next fight: TBA

9. Luke Rockhold (8-1) Last fight: UD win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza on September 10, 2011 to win Strikeforce MW title. Next fight: TBA

10. Hector Lombard (30-2-1-1NC, Bellator MW champion) Last fight: submission win over Jesse Taylor on September 3, 2011. Next fight: versus Trevor Prangley on November 19 at Bellator 58

Honourable mentions: Mamed Khalidov, Jorge Santiago, Rousimar Palhares, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

Nick Diaz’s impressive victory over BJ Penn on October 29 jumps him from 6^th to 2^nd overall in the world. Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck drop from 2^nd and 3^rd to 3^rd and 4^th respectively while Jake Shields remains the 5^th ranked welterweight. BJ Penn’s loss to Nick Diaz drops him from 4^th to 7^th, which allows Carlos Condit to improve from 7^th to 6^th overall. Jake Ellenberger moves from 10^th to 8^th overall, which bumps Rory MacDonald from 8^th to 9^th and Rick Story from 9^th to 10^th.

Welterweights

1. Georges St-Pierre (22-2 UFC Welterweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Jake Shields on April 30, 2011 Next fight: defending UFC WW title versus Nick Diaz on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143

2. Nick Diaz (26-7-1D) Last fight: UD win over BJ Penn on October 29, 2011. Next fight: versus Georges St-Pierre on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143

3. Jon Fitch (23-3-1NC-1D) Last fight: majority draw v. B.J. Penn on February 27, 2011. Next fight: versus Johny Hendricks on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

4. Josh Koscheck (15-5) Last fight: KO win over Matt Hughes on September 24, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Carlos Condit at UFC 143 on February 4, 2012

5. Jake Shields (26-5-1D) Last fight: KO loss to Jake Ellenberger on September 17, 2011. Next fight: TBA

6. Carlos Condit (27-5) Last fight: KO win over Dong Hyun Kim on July 2, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Josh Koscheck at UFC 143 on February 4, 2012

7. B.J. Penn (16-8-2D) Last fight: UD loss to Nick Diaz on October 29, 2011. Next fight: TBA

8. Jake Ellenberger (26-5) Last fight: KO win over Jake Shields on September 17, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Diego Sanchez on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143.  

9. Rory MacDonald (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Mike Pyle on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

10. Rick Story (13-4) Last fight: UD loss to Charlie Brenneman on June 26, 2011.  Next fight: v. Martin Kampmann on November 19, 2011.

Honourable mentions: Martin Kampmann, Diego Sanchez, Dong Hyun Kim, John Hathaway, Johny Hendricks,Charlie Brenneman, Thiago Alves.

The Top 5 lightweights in the world remain in the same order as last month. Frankie Edgar retained his top spot in the rankings with a KO UFC title defense over Gray Maynard on October 8. Donald Cerrone’s submission win over Dennis Siver moves him into the number 10 spot. Jim Miller gets bumped out of the top 10 due to inactivity which bumps Shinya Aoki, Eddie Alvarez and Nate Diaz all one up on the rankings.

Lightweights

1.Frankie Edgar (14-1-1, UFC Lightweight Champion) Last fight: KO win over Gray Maynard on October 8, 2011 to defend UFC LW title. Next fight: TBA.

2.Gray Maynard (10-1-1D-1NC) Last fight: KO loss to Frankie Edgar on October 8, 2011 at UFC 136. Next fight: TBA

3.Gilbert Melendez (19-2, Strikeforce LW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Tatsuya Kawajiri on April 4, 2011. Next fight: versus Jorge Masvidal for Strikeforce LW title on December 17, 2011.

4. Clay Guida (29-11) Last fight: UD win over Anthony Pettis on June 4, 2011. Next fight versus Benson Henderson on November 12, 2011.

5.Anthony Pettis (12-2) Last fight: SD win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 on October 8, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Joe Lauzon in January 2012.

6.Benson Henderson (13-2) Last fight: UD win over Jim Miller on August 14, 2011. Next fight: versus Clay Guida on November 12, 2011.

7. Shinya Aoki (28-5-1NC, DREAM LW champion ) Last fight: submission win over Rob McCullough on September 24, 2011 at DREAM 17. Next fight: TBA

8.Eddie Alvarez (22-2, Bellator Lightweight champion) Last fight: UD win over Pat Curran on April 2, 2011 to defend Bellator LW title. Next fight: defending Bellator LW title versus Michael Chandler on November 19, 2011 at Bellator 58.

9. Nate Diaz (14-7) Last fight: submission win over Takanori Gomi on September 24, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Donald Cerrone on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141.

10. Donald Cerrone () Last Fight: submission win over Dennis Siver on October 29, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Nate Diaz on Decemer 30, 2011 at UFC 141.

Honourable mentions: Rafael Dos Anjos, Jorge Masvidal, Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon, Terry Etim.

The top 7 featherweights remain the same with Jose Aldo defending his number 1 spot and the UFC title against Kenny Florian on October 8. Hatsu Hioki retained his 3^rd overall spot with a successful UFC debut. Darren Elkins jumps into the top 10 at number 8 with a victory over Zhang Tiequan on October 8. Elkins bumps Joe Warren and Pat Curran from 8^th and 9^th to 9^th and 10^th. This removes Patricio “Pitbull” Freire from the top 10 list but remains an honourable mention.

Featherweights

1.Jose Aldo (20-1, UFC Featherweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Kenny Florian to defend UFC FW title on October 8. Next fight: defending title versus Chad Mendes at UFC 142 on January 14, 2012.

2. Chad Mendes (11-0) Last fight: UD win over Rani Yahya on August 6, 2011. Next fight: versus Jose Aldo for UFC FW title on January 14, 2012 at UFC 142.

3.Hatsu Hioki (24-4-1) Last fight: SD win over George Roop on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137. Next fight: TBA

4.Mark Hominick (20-9) Last fight: UD loss to Jose Aldo on April 30, 2011 for UFC FW title. Next fight: vs. Chan Sung Jung on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.

5.Kenny Florian Last Fight: UD loss to Jose Aldo on October 8, 2011 at UFC 136. Next fight: TBA

6.Diego Nunes (16-2) Last fight: UD loss to Kenny Florian on June 11, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Manvel Gamburyan on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

7.Eric Koch (13-1) Last fight: UD win over Jonathan Brookins on September 17, 2011. Next fight: TBA

8. Darren Elkins (13-2) Last fight: UD win over Zhang Tiequan on    October 8, 2011 at UFC 136. Next fight: TBA

9. Joe Warren (7-2, Bellator FW champion) Last fight: KO loss to Alexis Vila on September 24, 2011 in first round of Bellator BW tournament

10. Pat Curran (16-4) Last fight: KO win over Marlon Sandro to win Bellator FW tournament on August 20, 2011. Next fight: versus Joe Warren for Bellator FW title in early 2012.

Honourable mentions: Dustin Poirier, Manny Gamburyan, Marlon Sandro, Bart Palaszewski, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.

Dominick Cruz retained his top spot in the division with a defense of his UFC title against Demetrious Johnson on October 1. The only movement in the bantamweight division this month has Renan Barao taking the 8^th spot away from Brad Pickett with a first round submission victory over Pickett on October 29 at UFC 137.

Bantamweights

1. Dominick Cruz (19-1, UFC Bantamweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Demetrious Johnson on October 1, 2011 to defend UFC BW title. Next fight: TBA

2. Brian Bowles (10-1) Last fight: UD win over Takeya Mizugaki on July 2, 2011. Next fight: Urijah Faber on November 19, 2011.

3. Joseph Benavidez (14-2) Last fight: UD win over Eddie Wineland on August 14, 2011. Next fight: TBA

4. Scott Jorgensen (13-4) Last fight: UD win over Jeff Curran on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137. Next fight: TBA

5. Demetrious Johnson (10-2) Last fight: UD loss to Dominick Cruz on October 1, 2011.

6. Urijah Faber (25-5) Last fight: UD loss to Dominick Cruz on July 2, 2011 for UFC BW title. Next fight v. Brian Bowles on November 19, 2011.

7. Miguel Torres (39-4) Last fight: UD loss to Demetrious Johnson on May 28, 2011. Next fight versus Nick Pace on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139.

8. Renan Barao (27-1-1) Last fight: submission win over Brad Pickett on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137. Next fight: TBA

9. Michael McDonald (13-1) Last fight: SD win over Chris Cariaso on May 28, 2011. Next fight: versus Alex Soto on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139.

10. Bibiano Fernandes (9-3) Last fight: submission win over Takafumi Otsuka on September 24, 2011 at DREAM 17. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Eddie Wineland, Takeya Mizugaki, Damacio Page, Antonio Banuelos, Masakazu Imanari, Brad Pickett.

See previous month’s rankings: August 2011, September 2011, October 2011

Instinct MMA president Stephane Patry appeared on this episode to discuss Instinct MMA’s inaugural event on October 7 in Boisbriand, Quebec. Patry discussed the main event of Houston Alexander versus Steve Bosse, the co-main event of Patrick Cote v. Crafton Wallace and the rest of the card

Dave and Kevin talked about the results from UFC on Versus 6 including Dominick Cruz’ title defense against Demetrious Johnson and Stefan Struve’s submission win over Pat Barry.

All this and much more MMA talk on this 2-hour episode of Ringside Report Radio.

Josh Barnett moves up from 7^th to 5^th ranked heavyweight in the world with a first round submission win over Sergei Kharitonov in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-finals on September 10. Daniel Cormier moves up from an honorable mention last month to 6^th in the world with a knockout victory over previously 5^th ranked Antonio Silva on September 10 in the other SF HW GP semi-final. With his loss, Antonio Silva drops from 5^th to 8^th, knocking Shane Carwin out of the 8^th spot and the top 10 due to his inactivity. Since his loss to Junior Dos Santos in June, Carwin has been inactive and has no opponent or date for his next bout.

Heavyweights

1. Cain Velasquez (9-0, UFC Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Brock Lesnar on October 23, 2010. Next fight: Junior Dos Santos on November 12, 2011.

2. Junior Dos Santos (13-1) (No. 1 contender in UFC HW division) Last fight: UD win over Shane Carwin on June 11. Next fight: Cain Velasquez on November 12, 2011.

3.Alistair Overeem (35-11-1) Last fight: UD win over Fabricio Werdum on June 18. Next fight: v. Brock Lesnar on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

4 Brock Lesnar (5-2) Last fight: TKO loss to Cain Velasquez in October 2010. Next fight: v. Alistair Overeem on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

5. Josh Barnett (30-5) Last fight:  submission win over Sergei Kharitonov on September 10, 2011. Next fight: versus Daniel Cormier in early 2012 in Strikeforce HW GP final

6. Daniel Cormier (9-0) Last fight: KO win over Antonio Silva on September 10, 2011. Next fight: versus Josh Barnett in early 2012 in Strikeforce HW GP final

7. Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) Last fight: UD loss to Alistair Overeem on June 18. Next fight: TBA

8. Antonio Silva (16-2) Last fight: KO loss to Daniel Cormier on September 10. Next fight: TBA

9. Frank Mir (15-5) Last fight: UD win over Roy Nelson on May 28. Next fight versus Antonio Rodgrio Nogueira on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.

10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-6) Last fight: KO win over Brendan Schaub on August 27. Next fight: v. Frank Mir on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140

Honourable mentions: Sergei Kharitonov, Brendan Schaub,, Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione, Shane Carwin

No movement in the light-heavyweight division this month. Rampage Jackson’s (5^th) loss to Jon Jones (1^st) does nothing to effect either fighters’ ranking.

Light-Heavyweights

1. Jon Jones (13-1, UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: submission win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson on September 24, 2011. Next fight: vs. Rashad Evans, date TBA

2. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-5) Last fight: KO win over Forrest Griffin on August 27, 2011. Next fight: versus Dan Henderson on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139

3. Lyoto Machida (17-2) Last fight: KO win over Randy Couture on April 30, 2011 Next fight: TBA

4. Rashad Evans (15-1-1D) Last fight: TKO win over Tito Ortiz on August 6, 2011. Next fight: Jon Jones for UFC LHW title, date TBA

5. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-8) Last fight: submission loss to Jon Jones on September 24, 2011. Next fight: TBA

6. Dan Henderson (27-8, Strikeforce LHW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Fedor Emelianenko on July 30, 2011. Next fight: versus Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139

7. Phil Davis (9-0) Last fight: UD win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on March 26, 2011 Next fight: TBA

8. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (10-3) Last fight: TKO win over Yoel Romero on September 10, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

9. Forrest Griffin (18-6) Last fight: KO loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on August 27, 2011.  Next fight: TBA

10. Alexander Gustafsson (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Matt Hamill on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Gegard Mousasi, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Tito Ortiz, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

With a unanimous decision victory over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza on September 10, Luke Rockhold became the new Strikeforce middleweight champion and entered the Top 10 at number 10. Rockhold also knocked Jacare out of the 7^th spot and the Top 10, leaving him as an honorable mention and a close 11^th.  Previously ranked 8^th, 9^th and 10^th Vitor Belfort, Brian Stann and Michael Bisping all move up one spot with Jacare’s loss to the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th spots respectively.

Middleweights

1. Anderson Silva (30-4, UFC Middleweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Yushin Okami on August 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

2. Chael Sonnen (25-11-1D) Last fight: submission loss to Anderson Silva on August 7, 2010 for UFC MW title. Next fight v. Brian Stann on October 8, 2011.

3. Yushin Okami (26-5) Last fight: TKO loss to Anderson Silva on August 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

4. Nate Marquardt (31-10-2) Last fight: UD win over Dan Miller on March 19, 2011. Next fight: TBA

5. Mark Munoz (11-2) Last fight: UD win over Demian Maia on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Chris Leben on November 5, 2011.

6. Demian Maia (14-3) Last fight: UD loss to Mark Munoz on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Jorge Santiago on October 8, 2011.

7. Vitor Belfort (19-9) Last fight: KO win over Yoshihiro Akiyama on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

8. Brian Stann (11-3) Last fight: TKO win over Jorge Santiago on May 28, 2011. Next fight v. Chael Sonnen on October 8, 2011.

9. Michael Bisping (21-3) Last fight: TKO win over Jorge Rivera on February 27, 2011. Next fight: Jason Miller on December 3, 2011.

10. Luke Rockhold (8-1) Last fight: UD win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza on September 10, 2011 to win Strikeforce MW title. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Mamed Khalidov, Hector Lombard, Jorge Santiago, Rousimar Palhares, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

Previously 3^rd ranked Jake Shields loss to Jake Ellenberger on September 17 caused some movement at the top of the welterweight division. Shields drops down to 5^th on the list with the loss, helping Josh Koschek move from 4^th to 3^rd with a victory on September 24 over Matt Hughes. BJ Penn also benefited from Shields’ loss and moved from 5^th to 4^th on the list. Jake Ellenberger’s win moved him up into the top 10 for the first time, taking Charlie Brenneman’s place at number 10.

Welterweights

1. Georges St-Pierre (22-2 UFC Welterweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Jake Shields on April 30, 2011 Next fight: Carlos Condit on October 29, 2011 defending his UFC WW title.

2. Jon Fitch (23-3-1NC-1D) Last fight: majority draw v. B.J. Penn on February 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

3. Josh Koscheck (15-5) Last fight: KO win over Matt Hughes on September 24, 2011. Next fight: TBA

4.B.J. Penn (16-7-2D) Last fight: majority draw v. Jon Fitch on February 27, 2011. Next fight: versus Nick Diaz on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137

5. Jake Shields (26-5-1D) Last fight: KO loss to Jake Ellenberger on September 17, 2011. Next fight: TBA

6. Nick Diaz (25-7-1D) Last fight: TKO win over Paul Daley on April 9. Next fight: versus BJ Penn on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137

7. Carlos Condit (27-5) Last fight: KO win over Dong Hyun Kim on July 2, 2011. Next fight: vs. Georges St-Pierre for UFC welterweight title on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137.

8. Rory MacDonald (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Mike Pyle on August 6, 2011. Next fight: vs. Brian Ebersole at UFC 140 on December 10, 2011.

9. Rick Story (13-4) Last fight: UD loss to Charlie Brenneman on June 26, 2011.  Next fight: v. Martin Kampmann on November 19, 2011.

10. Jake Ellenberger (26-5) Last fight: KO win over Jake Shields on September 17, 2011. Next fight: vs. Diego Sanchez on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141

Honourable mentions: Martin Kampmann, Diego Sanchez, Dong Hyun Kim, John Hathaway, Johny Hendricks. Anthony Johnson, Charlie Brenneman

Nate Diaz’ drop back down to the lightweight division with a first round submission win over Takanori Gomi brings him into the top 10 at number 10. Diaz holds a victory over previously 10^th ranked Melvin Guillard.

Lightweights

 1.    Frankie Edgar (13-1-1, UFC Lightweight Champion) Last fight: draw with Gray Maynard on January 1, 2011 to retain UFC LW title. Next fight : Gray Maynard on October 8, 2011 for UFC LW title.

 2.    Gray Maynard (10-0-1D-1NC) Last fight: draw with Frankie Edgar on Janaury 1, 2011. Next fight: Frankie Edgar on October 8, 2011 for UFC LW title.

 3.    Gilbert Melendez (19-2, Strikeforce LW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Tatsuya Kawajiri on April 4, 2011. Next fight: versus Jorge Masvidal for Strikeforce LW title on December 17, 2011.

 4.    Clay Guida (29-11) Last fight: UD win over Anthony Pettis on June 4, 2011. Next fight versus Benson Henderson on November 12, 2011.

 5.    Anthony Pettis (13-2) Last fight: UD loss to Clay Guida on June 4, 2011. Next fight Jeremy Stephens on October 8, 2011.

 6.    Benson Henderson (13-2) Last fight: UD win over Jim Miller on August 14, 2011. Next fight: versus Clay Guida on November 12, 2011.

 7.    Jim Miller (20-2) Last fight: Unanimous Decision loss to Benson Henderson on August 14, 2011. Next fight: TBA

 8.    Shinya Aoki (28-5-1NC, DREAM LW champion ) Last fight: submission win over Rob McCullough on September 24, 2011 at DREAM 17. Next fight: TBA

 9.    Eddie Alvarez (22-2, Bellator Lightweight champion) Last fight: UD win over Pat Curran on April 2, 2011 to defend Bellator LW title. Next fight: Michael Chandler for Bellator LW title in November

10. Nate Diaz (14-7) Last fight: submission win over Takanori Gomi on           September 24, 2011. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Rafael Dos Anjos, Jorge Masvidal, Dennis Siver, Donald Cerrone, Nate Diaz, Melvin Guillard

The only movement in the featherweight rankins this month is Eric Koch moving ahead of Joe Warren at 7^th, dropping Warren to 8^th. Eric Koch scored a decision victory over TUF winner Jonathan Brookins on September 17, while Warren was knocked out by Alexis Vila in the opening round of the Bellator bantamweight tournament. Joe Warren remains the Bellator featherweight champion despite the loss.

Featherweights

1.    Jose Aldo (19-1, UFC Featherweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Mark Hominick on April 30, 2011 to retain UFC FW title. Next fight v. Kenny Florian on October 8, 2011 for UFC FW title.

 2.    Chad Mendes (11-0) Last fight: UD win over Rani Yahya on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

 3.    Hatsu Hioki (24-4-1) Last fight: submission win over Donald Sanchez on April 29, 2011. Next fight v. George Roop at UFC 137 on October 29, 2011.

 4.    Mark Hominick (20-9) Last fight: UD loss to Jose Aldo on April 30, 2011 for UFC FW title. Next fight: vs. Chan Sung Jung on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.

 5.    Kenny Florian Last Fight: UD win over Diego Nunes on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Jose Aldo for FW title on October 8, 2011 for UFC FW title.

 6.    Diego Nunes (16-2) Last fight: UD loss to Kenny Florian on June 11, 2011. Next fight: TBA

 7.    Eric Koch (12-1) Last fight: UD win over Jonathan Brookins on September 17, 2011. Next fight: TBA

 8.    Joe Warren (7-1, Bellator FW champion) Last fight: KO loss to Alexis Vila on September 24, 2011 in first round of Bellator BW tournament

 9.     Pat Curran (16-4) Last fight: KO win over Marlon Sandro to win Bellator FW tournament on August 20, 2011. Next fight: TBA

10. Patricio”Pitbull”Freire (17-1) Last Fight: UD win over Daniel Straus on May, 21, 2011 to win Bellator FW tournament. Next Fight: versus Joe Warren for Bellator FW title, date TBA.

Honourable mentions: Dustin Poirier, Manny Gamburyan, Tyson Griffin, Marlon Sandro.

Former DREAM featherweight champion, Bibiano Fernandes made a successful drop the bantamweight on September 24 at DREAM 17 with a submission victory over Takafumi Otsuka in less than one minute in the opening round of the DREAM bantamweight Grand Prix. Fernandes bumps Hideo Tokoro out of the 10^th spot, Tokoro suffered a decision loss to Antonio Banuelos on September 24 in another DREAM bantamweight quarter-final match.

Bantamweights

1. Dominick Cruz (18-1, UFC Bantamweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Urijah Faber on July 2, 2011 to retain UFC BW title. Next fight: Demetrious Johnson on October 1, 2011 for UFC BW title.

2. Brian Bowles (10-1) Last fight: UD win over Takeya Mizugaki on July 2, 2011. Next fight: Urijah Faber on November 19, 2011.

3. Joseph Benavidez (14-2) Last fight: UD win over Eddie Wineland on August 14, 2011. Next fight: TBA

4. Demetrious Johnson (10-1) Last fight: UD win over Miguel Torres on May 28, 2011. Next fight : Dominick Cruz on October 1, 2011 for UFC BW title.

5. Urijah Faber (25-5) Last fight: UD loss to Dominick Cruz on July 2, 2011 for UFC BW title. Next fight v. Brian Bowles on November 19, 2011.

6. Scott Jorgensen (12-4) Last fight: KO win over Ken Stone on June 4, 2011. Next fight v. Jeff Curran on October 29, 2011.

7. Miguel Torres (39-4) Last fight: UD loss to Demetrious Johnson on May 28, 2011. Next fight TBA

8. Brad Pickett (20-5) Last fight: UD win over Ivan Menjivar on December 16 2010. Next fight v. Renan Barao on November 5, 2011.

9. Michael McDonald (13-1) Last fight: SD win over Chris Cariaso on May 28, 2011. Next fight: TBA.

10. Bibiano Fernandes (9-3) Last fight: submission win over Takafumi Otsuka on September 24, 2011 at DREAM 17. Next fight: TBA 

Honourable mentions: Eddie Wineland, Takeya Mizugaki, Damacio Page, Antonio Banuelos, Masakazu Imanari.  

See previous month’s rankings: August 2011, September 2011.

This is the second installment of the Ringside Report official MMA Top 10 rankings.

There was some movement in the heavyweight division rankings in August. Fedor Emelianenko drops out of the Top 10 with a loss to Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight champion Dan Henderson on July 30. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira moves back into the Top 10 Heavyweights in the world with an impressive knockout victory over Brendan Schaub. Nogueira had been absent from the octagon since February of 2010 when he lost to Cain Velasquez.

Heavyweights

1. Cain Velasquez (9-0, UFC Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Brock Lesnar on October 23, 2010. Next fight: Junior Dos Santos on November 19, 2011.

2. Junior Dos Santos (13-1) (No. 1 contender in UFC HW division) Last fight: UD win over Shane Carwin on June 11. Next fight: Cain Velasquez on November 19, 2011.

3.Alistair Overeem (35-11-1) Last fight: UD win over Fabricio Werdum on June 18. Next fight: TBA

4 Brock Lesnar (5-2) Last fight: TKO loss to Cain Velasquez in October 2010. Next fight: TBA

5. Antonio Silva (16-2) Last fight: TKO win over Fedor Emelianenko on February 12.Next fight: Daniel Cormier on September 10, 2011 in Strikeforce HW GP semi-finals

6. Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) Last fight: UD loss to Alistair Overeem on June 18. Next fight: TBA

7. Josh Barnett (30-5) Last fight:  submission win over Brett Rogers on June 18. Next fight: Sergei Kharitonov on September 10, 2011 in Strikeforce HW GP semi-finals

8. Shane Carwin (12-2) Last fight: UD loss to Junior Dos Santos on June 11. Next fight TBA.

9. Frank Mir (15-5) Last fight: UD win over Roy Nelson on May 28. Next fight TBA

10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-6) Last fight: KO win over Brendan Schaub on August 27. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Sergei Kharitonov, Brendan Schaub,, Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione, Daniel Cormier

The only movement in the light-heavyweight rankings this month is the addition of Alexander Gustafsson to the top 10. Gustafsson scored a TKO victory over Matt Hamill on August 6 to bump Antonio Rogerio Nogueira out of the top 10. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua’s win over Forrest Griffin on August 27 does nothing to make a change in either fighters ranking.

Light-Heavyweights

1. Jon Jones (13-1, UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Mauricio Shogun Rua on March 19, 2011. Next fight: Quinton Rampage Jackson on September 24, 2011.

2. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-5) Last fight: KO win over Forrest Griffin on August 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

3. Lyoto Machida (17-2) Last fight: KO win over Randy Couture on April 30, 2011 Next fight: TBA

4. Rashad Evans (15-1-1D) Last fight: TKO win over Tito Ortiz on August 6, 2011. Next fight: expected to face winner of Jon Jones- Rampage Jackson LHW title bout.

5. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-8) Last fight: UD win over Matt Hamill on May 28, 2011. Next fight v. Jon Jones for UFC LHW title on September 24, 2011.

6. Dan Henderson (27-8, Strikeforce LHW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Fedor Emelianenko on July 30, 2011. Next fight: TBA

7. Phil Davis (9-0) Last fight: UD win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on March 26, 2011 Next fight: TBA

8. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (10-3) Last fight: TKO loss to Dan Henderson on March 5, 2011 for SF LHW title. Next fight: v. Yoel Romero (4-0) on September 10, 2011 on preliminary card of Strikeforce HW GP semi-finals.

9. Forrest Griffin (18-6) Last fight: KO loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on August 27, 2011.  Next fight: TBA

10. Alexander Gustafsson (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Matt Hamill on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Gegard Mousasi, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Matt Hamill, Tito Ortiz, Roger Gracie, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

No movement in the middleweight rankings for September 2011. Anderson Silva retains his number position with a TKO win over Yushin Okami on August 27. Okami remains the 3^rd ranked middleweight while Nate Marquardt is still listed as a middleweight as he has yet to make his welterweight debut.

Middleweights

1. Anderson Silva (30-4, UFC Middleweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Yushin Okami on August 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

2. Chael Sonnen (25-11-1D) Last fight: submission loss to Anderson Silva on August 7, 2010 for UFC MW title. Next fight v. Brian Stann on October 8, 2011.

3. Yushin Okami (26-5) Last fight: TKO loss to Anderson Silva on August 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

4. Nate Marquardt (31-10-2) Last fight: UD win over Dan Miller on March 19, 2011. Next fight: TBA

5. Mark Munoz (11-2) Last fight: UD win over Demian Maia on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Chris Leben on November 5, 2011.

6. Demian Maia (14-3) Last fight: UD loss to Mark Munoz on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Jorge Santiago on October 8, 2011.

7. Ronaldo Jacare Souza (14-2-1NC, SF MW champion) Last fight: submission win over Robbie Lawler on Janaury 29, 2011. Next fight: Luke Rockhold on September 10, 2011 defending his SF MW title.

8. Vitor Belfort (19-9) Last fight: KO win over Yoshihiro Akiyama on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

9. Brian Stann (11-3) Last fight: TKO win over Jorge Santiago on May 28, 2011. Next fight v. Chael Sonnen on October 8, 2011.

10. Michael Bisping (21-3) Last fight: TKO win over Jorge Rivera on February 27, 2011. Next fight: Jason Miller on December 3, 2011.

Honourable mentions: Mamed Khalidov, Hector Lombard, Jorge Santiago, Rousimar Palhares, Luke Rockhold

With a victory over the tough Mike Pyle (21-8-1) on August 6, Rory MacDonald enters the top 10 list this month at number 8. Rick Story gets bumped down to 9^th and Charlie Brenneman to 10^th, knocking Dong Hyun Kim out of the top 10.

Welterweights

1. Georges St-Pierre (22-2 UFC Welterweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Jake Shields on April 30, 2011 Next fight: Nick Diaz on October 29, 2011 defending his UFC WW title.

2. Jon Fitch (23-3-1NC-1D) Last fight: majority draw v. B.J. Penn on February 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

3. Jake Shields (26-5-1D) Last fight: UD loss to Georges St-Pierre on April 30, 2011 for UFC WW title. Next fight v. Jake Ellenberger on September 17, 2011.

4. Josh Koscheck (15-5) Last fight: UD loss to GSP on December 10, 2010 for UFC WW title. Next fight: rumored to be fighting at middleweight on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139.

5. B.J. Penn (16-7-2D) Last fight: majority draw v. Jon Fitch on February 27, 2011. Next fight: Carlos Condit on October 29, 2011.

6. Nick Diaz (25-7-1D) Last fight: TKO win over Paul Daley on April 9, next fight v. Georges St-Pierre for UFC WW title on October 29, 2011.

7. Carlos Condit (27-5) Last fight: KO win over Dong Hyun Kim on July 2, 2011. Next fight: B.J. Penn on October 29, 2011.

8. Rory MacDonald (12-1) Last fight: TKO win over Mike Pyle on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

9. Rick Story (13-4) Last fight: UD loss to Charlie Brenneman on June 26, 2011.  Next fight: v. Martin Kampmann on November 19, 2011.

10. Charlie Brenneman (14-2) Last fight: UD win over Rick Story on June 26, 2011. Next fight: Anthony Johnson on October 1, 2011.

Honourable mentions: Martin Kampmann, Diego Sanchez, Jake Ellenberger, Dong Hyun Kim, John Hathaway, Johny Hendricks.

Benson Henderson’s victory over Jim Miller shook up the lightweight division this month. Henderson was previously ranked 9^th and faced the 4^th ranked Jim Miller. Henderson’s victory bumps him up to 6^th on the list while Miller drops to 7^th. The fact that Anthony Pettis is one of the few men to hold a victory over Henderson is enough to move him from 8^th ranked in August, to 5^th in September. The fact that Clay Guida is one of the few to hold a win over Anthony Pettis will also earn him a boost in the rankings as he switches places with Jim Miller and goes from 7^th to 4^th. Shinya Aoki and Eddie Alvarez move from 5^th and 6^th respectively to 8^th and 9^th due to their lack of facing top 10 level competition.

Lightweights

1.    Frankie Edgar (13-1-1, UFC Lightweight Champion) Last fight: draw with Gray Maynard on January 1, 2011 to retain UFC LW title. Next fight : Gray Maynard on October 8, 2011 for UFC LW title.

 2.    Gray Maynard (10-0-1D-1NC) Last fight: draw with Frankie Edgar on Janaury 1, 2011. Next fight: Frankie Edgar on October 8, 2011 for UFC LW title.

3.    Gilbert Melendez (19-2) Last fight: TKO win over Tatsuya Kawajiri on April 4, 2011. Next fight: expected to fight Jorge Masvidal for Strikeforce LW title on December 17, 2011.

 4.    Clay Guida (29-11) Last fight: UD win over Anthony Pettis on June 4, 2011. Next fight rumoured to be fighting Benson Henderson on November 12, 2011.

5.    Anthony Pettis (13-2) Last fight: UD loss to Clay Guida on June 4, 2011. Next fight Jeremy Stephens on October 8, 2011.

6.    Benson Henderson (13-2) Last fight: UD win over Jim Miller on August 14, 2011. Next fight: rumoured to be fighting Clay Guida on November 12, 2011.

7.    Jim Miller (20-2) Last fight: Unanimous Decision loss to Benson Henderson on August 14, 2011. Next fight: TBA

8.    Shinya Aoki (28-5-1NC, DREAM LW champion ) Last fight: submission win over Rich Clementi on May 29, 2011 to defend DREAM LW title. Next fight: Rob McCullough on September 24.

9.    Eddie Alvarez (22-2, Bellator Lightweight champion) Last fight: UD win over Pat Curran on April 2, 2011 to defend Bellator LW title. Next fight: Michael Chandler for Bellator LW title on October 15.

10. Melvin Guillard (29-8-2D-1NC) Last fight KO win over Shane Roller on July 2, 2011. Next fight: Joe Lauzon on October 8, 2011.

Honourable mentions: Rafael Dos Anjos, Jorge Masvidal, Dennis Siver, Donald Cerrone.

Only movement in the featherweight division this month is Pat Curran knocking out Marlon Sandro on August 20 to take his place at 9^th in the world.

Featherweights

1.    Jose Aldo (19-1, UFC Featherweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Mark Hominick on April 30, 2011 to retain UFC FW title. Next fight v. Kenny Florian on October 8, 2011 for UFC FW title.

2.    Chad Mendes (11-0) Last fight: UD win over Rani Yahya on August 6, 2011. Next fight: TBA

3.    Hatsu Hioki (24-4-1) Last fight: submission win over Donald Sanchez on April 29, 2011. Next fight v. George Roop at UFC 137 on October 29, 2011.

4.    Mark Hominick (20-9) Last fight: UD loss to Jose Aldo on April 30, 2011 for UFC FW title. Next fight: TBA

5.    Kenny Florian Last Fight: UD win over Diego Nunes on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Jose Aldo for FW title on October 8, 2011 for UFC FW title.

6.    Diego Nunes (16-2) Last fight: UD loss to Kenny Florian on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Manvel Gamburyan on September 24, 2011.

7.    Joe Warren (7-1, Bellator FW champion) Last fight: UD win over Marcus Galvao on April 16, 2011. Next fight: Alexis Vila on September 24 in Bellator BW tournamen

8.    Eric Koch (12-1) Last fight: KO win over Raphael Assuncao on March 19, 2011. Next fight v. Jonathan Brookins on September 17, 2011

9.     Pat Curran (16-4) Last fight: KO win over Marlon Sandro to win Bellator FW tournament on August 20, 2011. Next fight: TBA

10.  Patricio”Pitbull”Freire (17-1) Last Fight: UD win over Daniel Straus on May, 21, 2011 to win Bellator FW tournament. Next Fight: versus Joe Warren for Bellator FW title, date TBA.

Honourable mentions: Dustin Poirier, Manny Gamburyan, Patricio Tyson Griffin, Marlon Sandro.

We mistakenly had Joachim Hansen at bantamweight in August but he is currently competing at featherweight. DREAM bantamweight grand prix winner Hideo Tokoro steps in at number 10.

Bantamweights

1. Dominick Cruz (18-1, UFC Bantamweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Urijah Faber on July 2, 2011 to retain UFC BW title. Next fight: Demetrious Johnson on October 1, 2011 for UFC BW title.

2. Brian Bowles (10-1) Last fight: UD win over Takeya Mizugaki on July 2, 2011. Next fight: Urijah Faber on November 19, 2011.

3. Joseph Benavidez (14-2) Last fight: UD win over Eddie Wineland on August 14, 2011. Next fight: TBA

4. Demetrious Johnson (10-1) Last fight: UD win over Miguel Torres on May 28, 2011. Next fight : Dominick Cruz on October 1, 2011 for UFC BW title.

5. Urijah Faber (25-5) Last fight: UD loss to Dominick Cruz on July 2, 2011 for UFC BW title. Next fight v. Brian Bowles on November 19, 2011.

6. Scott Jorgensen (12-4) Last fight: KO win over Ken Stone on June 4, 2011. Next fight v. Jeff Curran on October 29, 2011.

7. Miguel Torres (39-4) Last fight: UD loss to Demetrious Johnson on May 28, 2011. Next fight TBA

8. Brad Pickett (20-5) Last fight: UD win over Ivan Menjivar on December 16 2010. Next fight v. Renan Barao on November 5, 2011.

9. Michael McDonald (13-1) Last fight: SD win over Chris Cariaso on May 28, 2011. Next fight: TBA.

10. Hideo Tokoro (30-23-1) Last fight: UD win over Masakazu Imanari to win DREAM BW GP. Next fight: v. Antonio Banuelos in DREAM BW GP on September 24, 2011. 

Honourable mentions: Eddie Wineland, Takeya Mizugaki, Damacio Page

We start the Weekend in Fights! on Friday, as STRIKEFORCE put on their 18th Challengers series card, and the second at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, since the ZUFFA buyout. Jorge Grugel versus Joe Duarte served as the main event of the card. Grugel game seemed to be better than ever, with good striking, but not in the eyes of the judges as he attempted to take it to the ground to control the bout, but Duarte was prepared with god take down defense and superior striking. In a controversial bout 3-0 145lbs female fighter Ronda Rousey submitted  Sarah D’Alelio with her signature  arm bar in 0:25 seconds after hearing her opponent say “Tap” but due to referee Steve Mazagatti’s late reaction she re-cranked the submission; with three victories under her belt Rousey has only spent a total of 1:39 in the cage.    (Scroll down for full STRIKEFORCE Challengers 18: Grugel vs. Duarte results)

As he predicted on Ringside Report Radio, Houston Alexander would be in the “winners circle” come Saturday night, although is may not be the way he wanted. Alexander got the TKO doctor stoppage over  Razak Al-Hassan due to a severely dislocated finger just after the second round of the main event of MMA Fight Pit’s first event in Albuquerque, New Mexico .  Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver put himself back in the win column as he was able to knockout local fan favorite Coty “Ox” Wheeler in the co-main event of the evening. Wheeler attempted to stand toe to toe with the 12-year veteran, but  it proved to be his demise as  Pulver’s boxing prowess was just too much. Also on the card was former TUF contestant Junie Browning, who was embarrassingly unable to make weight for his lightweight bout, weighing in 8lbs heavier than the limit. If losing a percentage of his purse wasn’t bad enough for Browning, he got smash in the first round with devastating elbows that forced him to tap. (Scroll down for full MMA Fight Pit: Genesis event results)

UFC on Versus 5 took place at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Main event victor Chris Lytle made his UFC debut at UFC 28 in 2000, after Sunday night he’s 10-10 in 20 octagon appearances, of those, he has won 10 fight of the night bonuses. A veteran of over 53 mixed martial artist and 13-1-1 pro boxer, his 20th appearance in the UFC is his last. Prior to the event 36-year-old  Lytle stated that win, lose or draw he is hanging up the four ounce gloves, and he gets to hang them up with his hands held high as he wins his retirement bout with a guillotine submission over British slugger Dan Hardy, who now drops four straight bouts in the UFC. Lytle picked up fight of the fight and submission of the night giving him an extra $130K. With Lightweights Benson Henderson defeating Jim Miller, and Donald Cerrone defeating Charles Oliviera the landscape of the Lightweight top 10 will change.  (Dave goes 8 for 4 in his Picks – Kevin goes  7-5 in his Picks) (Scroll down for full UFC on Versus 5 event results)

Weekend in Fights Results:

Friday Night Fights:

STRIKEFORCE Challengers 18: Grugel vs. Duarte Results:

Joe Duarte def. Jorge Gurgel via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Nate James def. Danillo Villefort via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Pat Healy def. Eric Wisely via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Ronda Rousey def. Sarah D’Alelio via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 0:25
Derrick Mehmen def. Roy Jones via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Gian Villante def. Keith Berry via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Nah-Shon Burrell def. Lukasz Les via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:09
Mike Bronzoulis def. Chad Leonhardt via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:30
Milton Vieira def. Sterling Ford via technical submission (brabo choke) – Round 1, 4:49

Saturday Night Fights:

MMA Fight Pit: Genesis Results:

Houston Alexander def. Razak Al-Hassan via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00

Jens Pulver def. Coty Wheeler via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:59

Tyler East def. Prince McLean via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:33

Jamie Yager def. Willie Parks via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 0:21

Diana Real def. Angelica Chaves via split decision

Jacob Clark def. Junie Browning via submission (elbows) – Round 1, 4:18

Ali Hanjani def. Sean Spencer via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 1:41

Jason Sampson def. Joshua Montoya via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:38

Conrad Padilla def. Guy Youell via unanimous decision

Rocky Ramirez def. Mark Lujan via submission (punches) – Round 1, 2:38

Sunday Night Fights:

UFC on Versus 5 Results:

Chris Lytle def. Dan Hardy via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 4:16

Ben Henderson def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-26)

Donald Cerrone def. Charles Oliveira via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:01

Duane “Bang” Ludwig def. Amir Sadollah via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jared Hamman def. C.B. Dollaway via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:38

Joseph Benavidez def. Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ed Herman def. Kyle Noke via submission (heel-hook) – Round 1, 4:15

Ronny Markes def. Karlos Vemola via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jim Hettes def. Alex Caceres via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:12

Cole Miller def. T.J. O’Brien via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:38

Jacob Volkmann def. Danny Castillo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Edwin Figueroa def. Jason Reinhardt via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 0:50

Heavyweights

1. Cain Velasquez (9-0, UFC Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Brock Lesnar on October 23, 2010 to win UFC HW title. Next fight: Junior Dos Santos on November 19, 2011 defending his UFC HW title.

2. Junior Dos Santos (13-1) Last fight: UD win over Shane Carwin on June 11. Next fight: Cain Velasquez on November 19, 2011 for the UFC HW title.

3.Alistair Overeem (35-11-1) Last fight: UD win over Fabricio Werdum on June 18. Next fight: October 2011 for United Glory in Russia.

4 Brock Lesnar (5-2) Last fight: TKO loss to Cain Velasquez in October 2010 for UFC HW title. Next fight: TBA

5. Antonio Silva (16-2) Last fight: TKO win over Fedor Emelianenko on February 12.Next fight: Daniel Cormier on September 10, 2011 in Strikeforce HW GP semi-finals

6. Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) Last fight: UD loss to Alistair Overeem on June 18. Next fight: TBA

7. Josh Barnett (30-5) Last fight:  submission win over Brett Rogers on June 18. Next fight: Sergei Kharitonov on September 10, 2011 in Strikeforce HW GP semi-finals

8. Fedor Emelianenko (31-4-1) Last fight: TKO loss to Dan Henderson on July 30, 2011. Next fight: TBA

9. Shane Carwin (12-2) Last fight: UD loss to Junior Dos Santos on June 11. Next fight TBA.

10. Frank Mir (15-5) Last fight: UD win over Roy Nelson on May 28. Next fight TBA

Honourable mentions: Sergei Kharitonov, Brendan Schaub, Matt Mitrione,Daniel Cormier

Light-Heavyweights

1. Jon Jones (13-1, UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Mauricio Shogun Rua on March 19, 2011 to win UFC LHW title. Next fight: Quinton Rampage Jackson on September 24, 2011 defending his UFC LHW title.

2. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-5) Last fight: TKO loss to Jon Jones on March 19, 2011 for UFC LHW title. Next fight v. Forrest Griffin on August 27, 2011

3. Lyoto Machida (17-2) Last fight: KO win over Randy Couture on April 30, 2011 Next fight: TBA

4. Rashad Evans (15-1-1D) Last fight: UD win over Quinton Rampage Jackson on May 29, 2010. Next fight v. Tito Ortiz on August 6

5. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-8) Last fight: UD win over Matt Hamill on May 28, 2011. Next fight v. Jon Jones on September 24, 2011 for the UFC LHW title.

6. Dan Henderson (27-8, Strikeforce LHW champion) Last fight: TKO win over Fedor Emelianenko on July 30, 2011. Next fight: TBA

7. Phil Davis (9-0) Last fight: UD win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on March 26, 2011 Next fight: TBA

8. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (10-3) Last fight: TKO loss to Dan Henderson on March 5, 2011 for SF LHW title. Next fight: TBA

9. Forrest Griffin (18-6) Last fight: UD win over Rich Franklin on February 5, 2011. Next fight v. Mauricio Shogun Rua on August 27, 2011.

10.Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-5) Last fight: UD loss to Phil Davis on March 26, 2011. Next Fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Gegard Mousasi, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Matt Hamill, Tito Ortiz

Middleweights

1. Anderson Silva (30-4, UFC Middleweight Champion) Last fight: KO win over Vitor Belfort on February 5, 2011 to retain UFC MW title. Next fight v. Yushin Okami on August 27, 2011 defending his UFC MW title.

2. Chael Sonnen (25-11-1D) Last fight: submission loss to Anderson Silva on August 7, 2010. Next fight v. Brian Stann on October 8, 2011.

3. Yushin Okami (26-5) Last fight: UD win over Nate Marquardt on November 13, 2010. Next fight v. Anderson Silva on August 27, 2011 for UFC MW title.

4. Nate Marquardt (31-10-2) Last fight: UD win over Dan Miller on March 19, 2011. Next fight: TBA

5. Mark Munoz (11-2) Last fight: UD win over Demian Maia on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Chris Leben on November 5, 2011.

6. Demian Maia (14-3) Last fight: UD loss to Mark Munoz on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Jorge Santiago on October 8, 2011.

7. Ronaldo Jacare Souza (14-2-1NC, SF MW champion) Last fight: submission win over Robbie Lawler on Janaury 29, 2011. Next fight: Luke Rockhold on September 10, 2011 defending his SF MW title.

8. Vitor Belfort (19-9) Last fight: KO loss to Anderson Silva on February 5, 2011 for UFC MW title. Next fight v. Yoshihiro Akiyama on August 6, 2011.

9. Brian Stann (11-3) Last fight: TKO win over Jorge Santiago on May 28, 2011. Next fight v. Chael Sonnen on October 8, 2011.

10. Michael Bisping (21-3) Last fight: TKO win over Jorge Rivera on February 27, 2011. Next fight: Jason Miller on December 3, 2011.

Honourable mentions: Mamed Khalidov, Hector Lombard, Jorge Santiago

Welterweights

1. Georges St-Pierre (22-2 UFC Welterweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Jake Shields on April 30, 2011 Next fight: Nick Diaz on October 29, 2011 defending his UFC WW title.

2. Jon Fitch (23-3-1NC-1D) Last fight: majority draw v. B.J. Penn on February 27, 2011. Next fight: TBA

3. Jake Shields (26-5-1D) Last fight: UD loss to Georges St-Pierre on April 30, 2011 for UFC WW title. Next fight v. Jake Ellenberger on September 17, 2011.

4. Josh Koscheck (15-5) Last fight: UD loss to GSP on December 10, 2010 for UFC WW title. Next fight: TBA.

5. B.J. Penn (16-7-2D) Last fight: majority draw v. Jon Fitch on February 27, 2011. Next fight: Carlos Condit on October 29, 2011.

6. Nick Diaz (25-7-1D) Last fight: TKO win over Paul Daley on April 9, next fight v. Georges St-Pierre for UFC WW title on October 29, 2011.

7. Carlos Condit (27-5) Last fight: KO win over Dong Hyun Kim on July 2, 2011. Next fight: B.J. Penn on October 29, 2011.

8. Rick Story (13-4) Last fight: UD loss to Charlie Brenneman on June 26, 2011.  Next fight: TBA

9. Charlie Brenneman (14-2) Last fight: UD win over Rick Story on June 26, 2011. Next fight: Anthony Johnson on October 1, 2011.

10. Dong Hyun Kim (14-1-1D-1NC) Last fight: KO loss to Carlos Condit on July 2, 2011. Next fight: TBA

Honourable mentions: Martin Kampmann, Rory MacDonald, Diego Sanchez, Jake Ellenberger

Lightweights

1.Frankie Edgar (13-1-1, UFC Lightweight Champion) Last fight: draw with Gray Maynard on January 1, 2011 to retain UFC LW title. Next fight : Gray Maynard on October 8, 2011 for UFC LW title.

 2.Gray Maynard (10-0-1D-1NC) Last fight: draw with Frankie Edgar on Janaury 1, 2011. Next fight: Frankie Edgar on October 8, 2011 for UFC LW title.

 3.Gilbert Melendez (19-2, Strikeforce Lightweight Champion) Last fight: TKO win over Tatsuya Kawajiri on April 4, 2011. Next fight: TBA

4.Jim Miller (20-2) Last fight: TKO win over Kamal Shalorus on March 19, 2011. Next fight: Benson Henderson on August 14, 2011.

5.Shinya Aoki (28-5-1NC, DREAM LW champion ) Last fight: submission win over Rich Clementi on May 29, 2011 to defend DREAM LW title. Next fight: Rob McCullough on September 24.

6. Eddie Alvarez (22-2, Bellator Lightweight champion) Last fight: UD win over Pat Curran on April 2, 2011 to defend Bellator LW title. Next fight: Michael Chandler for Bellator LW title on October 15.

7.Clay Guida (29-11) Last fight: UD win over Anthony Pettis on June 4, 2011. Next fight TBA

 8. Anthony Pettis (13-2) Last fight: UD loss to Clay Guida on June 4, 2011. Next fight Jeremy Stephens on October 8, 2011.

9. Benson Henderson (13-2) Last fight: UD win over Mark Bocek on April 30, 2011. Next fight: Jim Miller on August 14, 2011.

10. Melvin Guillard (29-8-2D-1NC) Last fight KO win over Shane Roller on July 2, 2011. Next fight: Joe Lauzon on October 8, 2011.

Honourable mentions: Rafael Dos Anjos, Jorge Masvidal, Dennis Siver

Featherweights

1. Jose Aldo (19-1, UFC Featherweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Mark Hominick on April 30, 2011 to retain UFC FW title. Next fight v. Kenny Florian on October 8, 2011 for UFC FW title.

 2.Chad Mendes (10-0) Last fight: UD win over Michihiro Omigawa on February 5, 2011. Next fight v. Rani Yahya on August 6, 2011.

 3.Hatsu Hioki (24-4-1) Last fight: submission win over Donald Sanchez on April 29, 2011. Next fight v. George Roop at UFC 137 on October 29, 2011.

 4.Mark Hominick (20-9) Last fight: UD loss to Jose Aldo on April 30, 2011 for UFC FW title. Next fight: TBA

5. Kenny Florian (15-5) Last Fight: UD win over Diego Nunes on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Jose Aldo for FW title on October 8, 2011 for UFC FW title.

 6.Diego Nunes (16-2) Last fight: UD loss to Kenny Florian on June 11, 2011. Next fight: Manvel Gamburyan on September 24, 2011.

 7.Joe Warren (7-1, Bellator FW champion) Last fight: UD win over Marcus Galvao on April 16, 2011. Next fight: Alexis Vila on September 24 in Bellator BW tournament.

 8.Marlon Sandro (19-2) Last fight: UD win over Nazareno Malegarie on July 23, 2011. Next fight v. Pat Curran on August 20, 2011 in Bellator FW tournament final.

 9.Eric Koch (12-1) Last fight: KO win over Raphael Assuncao on March 19, 2011. Next fight v. Jonathan Brookins on September 17, 2011.

10.Patricio”Pitbull”Freire (17-1) Last Fight: UD win over Daniel Straus on May, 21, 2011 to win Bellator FW tournament. Next Fight: versus Joe Warren for Bellator FW title, date TBA.

Honourable mentions: Dustin Poirier, Manny Gamburyan, Tyson Griffin

Bantamweights

1. Dominick Cruz (18-1, UFC Bantamweight Champion) Last fight: UD win over Urijah Faber on July 2, 2011 to retain UFC BW title. Next fight: Demetrious Johnson on October 1, 2011 for UFC BW title.

2. Brian Bowles (10-1) Last fight: UD win over Takeya Mizugaki on July 2, 2011. Next fight: Urijah Faber on November 19, 2011.

3. Joseph Benavidez (14-2) Last fight: UD win over Ian Loveland on March 19, 2011. Next fight: Eddie Wineland on August 14, 2011.

4. Demetrious Johnson (10-1) Last fight: UD win over Miguel Torres on May 28, 2011. Next fight : Dominick Cruz on October 1, 2011 for UFC BW title.

5. Urijah Faber (25-5) Last fight: UD loss to Dominick Cruz on July 2, 2011 for UFC BW title. Next fight v. Brian Bowles on November 19, 2011.

6. Scott Jorgensen (12-4) Last fight: KO win over Ken Stone on June 4, 2011. Next fight v. Jeff Curran on October 29, 2011.

7. Miguel Torres (39-4) Last fight: UD loss to Demetrious Johnson on May 28, 2011. Next fight TBA

8. Brad Pickett (20-5) Last fight: UD win over Ivan Menjivar on December 16 2010. Next fight v. Renan Barao on November 5, 2011.

9. Joachim Hansen (22-10-1) Last fight: SD win over Mitsuhiro Ishida on May 29,2011. Next fight TBA.

10. Michael McDonald (13-1) Last fight: SD win over Chris Cariaso on May 28, 2011. Next fight: TBA.

Honourable mentions: Eddie Wineland, Takeya Mizugaki, Damacio Page

Listen here to the March 23, 2011 episode of Ringside Report Radio hosted by Dave Simon and Kevin “Big Tuna” McKough.

John Morgan from MMAjunkie.com appeared on this episode to talk about the Zuffa purchase of Strikeforce and Jon Jones’ victory at UFC 128.

Dave and Kevin re-capped the UFC 128 results and previewed the preliminary bouts for UFC Ultimate Fight Night 24: Davis v. Nogueira. All this and much more MMA on this 2-hour episode of Ringside Report Radio.

Interbox delivered couple of KO’s and TKO’s in seven bouts at the Bell Centre in Montreal as Lucian Bute successfully defended his IBF Super Middleweight title against #5 ranked super middleweight Brian Magee. Bute dropped the Irish fighter three times for a TKO victory in the 10th round. Although, Magee got a few shots in, Bute worked the body in his 8th title defense.

Kenny Foster, Daniel Straus, Wilson Reis, and Patricio Freire all victorious in the quarter final match ups of the Bellator World Featherweight Tournament to advance to the semi finals.  Foster and Reis both got first round submission victories over their opponents; Foster with a guillotine choke over Erick Larkin, and Reis with a rear naked choke over Zac George. Freire got the only TKO of the tournament over Georgi Karakhanyanwas; while, Straus was the only man to go the distance in the quarter finals beating Nazareno Malegarie by unanimous decision.

UFC 128 results:

Jon Jones def. Champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 2:37 (To Become NEW UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion)

Urijah Faber def. Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jim Miller def. Kamal Shalorus via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 2:15

Nate Marquardt def. Dan Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Brendan Schaub def. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic via TKO (punch) – Round 3, 3:44

Luiz Cane def. Eliot Marshall via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:15

Edson Barboza def. Anthony Njokuani via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mike Pyle vs. Ricardo Almeida via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Gleison Tibau def. Kurt Pellegrino via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Joseph Benavidez def. Ian Loveland via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Nick Catone def. Costantinos Philippou via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Erik Koch def. Raphael Assuncao via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:32

Interbox – Bute vs. Magee Results:

Lucian Bute def. Brian Magee via TKO (3 Knock Down Rule) – Round 10, 2:00

Pier-Olivier Cote def. Michael Lozada via TKO (3 knock down rule) – Round 12:50

Vanes Martirosyan def. Bladimir Hernandez via KO – Round 2, 0:57

Benoit Gaudet def. Adrian Verdugo via Unanimous Decision (after 6th of 8 due to cut from headbutt)

Viorel Simion def. Pedro Navarrete via split decision (75-74PN, 76-72VS, 75-73VS) (8 Round Bout)

Schiller Hyppolite def. Patrick Tessier via Unanimous Decision (40-35 all 3 Judges) (4 Round Bout)

Sébastien Gauthier def.  Jovanny Soto Ramirez via KO – Round 2, 1:18

Bellator 37 Results:

Quarterfinal bouts:
Kenny Foster def. Eric Larkin via guillotine submission at 3:15 Round 1 (Advance to Semi Finals)

Daniel Straus def. Nazareno Malegarie via unanimous decision 29-29, 29-28, 29-28 (Advance to Semi Finals)

Wilson Reis def. Zac George via rear-naked choke submission at 2:09 Round 1 (Advance to Semi Finals)

Patricio Freire def. Georgi Karakhanyan via TKO 0:56 Round 3 (Advance to Semi Finals)

Undercard bouts:

Jake Rosholt def. John Bryant via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1

Jeremy Spoon def. Jerrod Sanders via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 0:26

Brandon Shelton def. Adam Snook via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:46

Roli Delgado def. Jameel Massouh via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Tonight’s UFC 128 Main Card Breakdown will include the much anticipated Light Heavyweight championship bout between Champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Jon Jones, Bantamweight bout pitting Urijah Faber against Eddie Wineland, Jim Miller versus Kamal Shalorus in lightweight competition, Nate Marquardt taking on last minute replacement Dan Miller in a middleweight bout and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic versus Brendan Schaub in heavyweight action.

Full UFC 128 line up:

Champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Jon Jones (for light-heavyweight title)

Urijah Faber vs. Eddie Wineland

Jim Miller vs. Kamal Shalorus

Nate Marquardt vs. Dan Miller

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Brendan Schaub

Spike TV Preliminary bouts:

Luiz Cane vs. Eliot Marshall

Edson Barboza vs. Anthony Njokuani

Facebook Preliminary bouts:

Ricardo Almeida vs. Mike Pyle

Kurt Pellegrino vs. Gleison Tibau

Preliminary bouts:

Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian Loveland

Raphael Assuncao vs. Erik Koch

Nick Catone vs. Costantinos Philippou

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Ringside Report Radio live special start time of 11pm ET till 12am on Montreal’s Sports Authority, The TEAM 990 CKGM-Radio.

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