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 this summer, possibly at UFC 200.

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.

3. Anthony Johnson (21-5)

The stunning power of “Rumble” got the job done once again on Jan. 30, when a barrage of ground punches ended the evening -- and the five-fight winning streak -- of Ryan Bader in just 86 seconds. Now two wins removed from his failed title bid, Johnson is aiming for a shot at the winner of the eventual Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier championship rematch.

4. Alexander Gustafsson (16-4)

Gustafsson put on another spirited showing in a five-round title fight, but his bid to take the crown from Daniel Cormier at UFC 192 yielded the same result as his effort to dethrone Jon Jones. “The Mauler” came up short on the judges’ scorecards, giving the Swede his third loss in four outings and making uncertain Gustafsson’s immediate future in the upper echelon of the division.

5. Ryan Bader (20-5)

Bader entered his Jan. 30 bout riding a two-year, five-fight unbeaten streak. That statistic did not help the Arizona wrestler against Anthony Johnson, who powered through an early submission attempt to punch “Darth” unconscious in just 86 seconds. It was the fastest loss in the 25-fight career of Bader, who now finds himself on the outside of the UFC light heavyweight title picture.

6. Phil Davis (15-3, 1 NC)

The last five fights of Davis’ UFC tenure went the distance, but the judges were not needed when “Mr. Wonderful” made his Bellator debut on Sept. 19 in the company’s one-night, four-man tournament. Davis tapped former Bellator champ Emanuel Newton with a first-round kimura before flattening tourney alternate Francis Carmont with a first-round knockout. Davis will return to the cage opposite former Strikeforce champion Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 154 in May.

7. Glover Teixeira (25-4)

Teixeira laid waste to former UFC light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans on April 16, clobbering “Suga” unconscious in under two minutes. Since losing back-to-back bouts for the first time in his career in 2014, the brick-fisted Brazilian has gone on a tear, finishing three opponents in the last eight months, each one quicker than the last.

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)

McGeary looked to be in trouble on Sept. 19, as his first Bellator title defense began with him being taken down by Tito Ortiz. McGeary stayed busy off his back, however, and soon caught the former UFC champ in a nifty inverted triangle choke to force a first-round submission. The unbeaten Englishman was expected to defend his title against Phil Davis before an injury put him on the shelf.

10. Corey Anderson (8-1)

Less than 10 fights into his professional career, Anderson is moving up in the UFC light heavyweight division. “Beastin’ 25/8” has rebounded from his first defeat with a trio of decision wins against far more experienced opposition: Fabio Maldonado, Jan Blachowicz and, most recently, Tom Lawlor at UFC 196. Anderson will meet Mauricio Rua at UFC 198 on May 14.

Other Contenders: Quinton Jackson, Ilir Latifi, Muhammed Lawal, Jimi Manuwa, Tomasz Narkun.

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