Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Light Heavyweight

1. Jon Jones (22-1)

Following 15 months of drama, arrests and court dates -- as well as the stripping of his UFC light heavyweight title -- Jones was victorious in his return to the cage at UFC 197. The 28-year-old fought a cautious but effective five rounds against late replacement Ovince St. Preux, earning “Bones” a unanimous decision and the title of interim champion. Jones will look to unify the belts against old rival and current champ Daniel Cormier when they rematch at UFC 200 on July 9.

2. Daniel Cormier (17-1)

While the validity of Cormier’s title reign will be challenged for as long as Jon Jones remains inactive, there is no doubt that the American Kickboxing Academy fighter possesses the grit and tenacity of a tried and true champion. “DC” got off to a hot start against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 192, only to be roughed up by the resurgent Swede in the middle rounds of their 25-minute encounter. The wrestler’s ever-improving offense carried him to a split decision win against Gustafsson, setting the stage for a UFC 197 rematch with Jones. However, Cormier was forced to withdraw from the event with a leg injury. The rivals will now meet in the UFC 200 headliner in July.

3. Anthony Johnson (21-5)

After Anthony Johnson blew through Ryan Bader in 86 seconds, the MMA world decided in unison that a showdown between “Rumble” and Glover Teixeira was exactly what was needed. UFC matchmaker Joe Silva blessed us with the pairing for the UFC on Fox 20 on July 23, but unfortunately, personal family issues forced Johnson to withdraw from the contest, leaving Teixeira without a dance partner.

4. Alexander Gustafsson (16-4)

Alexander Gustafsson was remarkably close to conquering Jon Jones and then last October, Daniel Cormier, to take UFC light heavyweight gold. In spite of how good the outstanding Swede has been in losing championship performances, he's 1-3 in his last four contests. “The Mauler” looks to get back on track on Sept. 3 when he takes on crafty Polish veteran Jan Blachowicz at the UFC's Fight Night card in Hamburg, Germany.

5. Ryan Bader (20-5)

Bader saw his five-fight winning streak snapped in just 86 seconds by violent puncher Anthony Johnson in January. “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 8 winner's path to a potential UFC light heavyweight title shot is now a tough row to hoe, and it begins on Sept. 3 in Hamburg, Germany, where he meets rugged Swede Ilir Latifi.

6. Phil Davis (16-3, 1 NC)

It was not exactly a well-received victory, but at Bellator 154, Davis earned a unanimous verdict over “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal. It not only gave Davis another quality light heavyweight win but firmed up “Mr. Wonderful” for something he never got in the UFC: a shot at a championship. With his win over Lawal, Davis will meet Bellator champion Liam McGeary later this year with 205-pound gold on the line.

7. Glover Teixeira (25-4)

Though he entered the fight as a considerable favorite, few people expected Glover Teixeira to breeze through former UFC champion Rashad Evans as he did on April 16, knocking Evans out cold in less than two minutes in the UFC on Fox 19 headliner. Following the victory, a matchup with fellow former title challenger Anthony Johnson seemed like a perfect bit of matchmaking, but personal family issues took “Rumble” out of the contest. Now, Teixeira waits for a new opponent to face in a network TV showdown on July 23.

8. Ovince St. Preux (19-8)

Fighting on three weeks’ notice against one of the sport’s pound-for-pound greats, St. Preux hung around for five rounds but did little to trouble the returning Jon Jones in their interim title fight at UFC 197. “OSP” tasted defeat for the second time in three fights, as he was shut out by Jones in a lopsided unanimous decision.

9. Liam McGeary (11-0)

Bellator MMA’s light heavyweight champion is still recovering from a knee injury, but he now knows what lies ahead. The unbeaten Brit will make the second defense of his title later this year against former NCAA Division I wrestling champion Phil Davis, who earned his shot by topping Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 154 on May 14.

10. Nikita Krylov (20-4)

Since being tapped in just 89 seconds by Ovince St. Preux in his 205-pound Octagon debut, Krylov has finished all four opponents in the cage in nine minutes or less, most recently choking out powerful Brazilian Francimar Barroso in May. Ukraine's “Fighting Al Capone” will look to make it five in a row at UFC 201 on July 30, when he takes on “Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 finalist Ed Herman.

Other Contenders: Quinton Jackson, Ilir Latifi, Tomasz Narkun, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Mauricio Rua.

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