Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Bantamweight

1. Dominick Cruz (18-1)
In his Octagon debut, UFC bantamweight champ Cruz finally shook the monkey which had resided on his back since March 2007. The "Dominator" was not quite as dominant as in his December title win against Scott Jorgensen, but nonetheless managed to outpoint Urijah Faber over five rounds and avenge the lone loss on his 19-fight ledger.

2. Joseph Benavidez (14-2)
Despite his two losses to champion Dominick Cruz and the fact that he may be a natural 125-pounder, Benavidez has picked off more top bantamweights than nearly any other 135-pound fighter. The Team Alpha Male product made a successful UFC debut on March 19 with a unanimous decision over Ian Loveland, and will look to follow up against onetime WEC champ Eddie Wineland on Aug. 14.

3. Urijah Faber (25-5)
Though unable to take a second win over Dominick Cruz on July 2, the "California Kid" put on a strong showing in his five-round attempt to claim the UFC bantamweight title. While the fight was undoubtedly tighter than judge Sal D'Amato's 50-45 scorecard, whether it was close enough to warrant an immediate rematch remains to be seen.

4. Brian Bowles (10-1)
Bowles saw the judges' scorecards for the first time in his career on July 2, earning a decisive, if unspectacular, decision over Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 132. The onetime WEC bantamweight champ appeared to reinjure his previously fractured right hand during the bout, slowing him in the latter rounds.

5. Scott Jorgensen (12-4)
Already known as one of WEC’s most exciting bantamweights, Jorgensen wasted no time in transferring that reputation to the UFC in his June 4 Octagon debut. The 28-year-old “Young Guns” also put on a display of his knockout power, turning out the lights on Ken Stone with vicious punches from guard in the first round of their “Ultimate Fighter 13” Finale prelim.

6. Demetrious Johnson (9-1)
The man known as “Mighty Mouse” faced the tallest task of his career May 28, both figuratively and literally, as Johnson stepped up to replace Brad Pickett against former WEC champ Miguel Torres. Johnson used his wrestling to negate a 6-inch height disadvantage and spent enough time on top of the active Torres to sway the judges in a unanimous decision win.

7. Miguel Torres (39-4)
Defeated for only the fourth time in his 11-year career, Torres’ May 28 loss to Demetrious Johnson came by the narrowest of margins. The former WEC bantamweight champ’s dynamic ground work against powerful wrestler Johnson went unappreciated by the judges, as Torres came up on the wrong end of a much-debated unanimous decision.

8. Brad Pickett (20-5)
American Top Team’s British slugger was set to make his UFC debut against Miguel Torres at UFC 130 on May 28, but an undisclosed injury forced “One Punch” from the high-profile matchup. Pickett has won 10 of his last 11 fights.

9. Takeya Mizugaki (14-6-2)
Despite a solid start to his UFC 132 confrontation with Brian Bowles, Mizugaki fell flat late and dropped a unanimous decision to the former WEC titleholder. The loss continued the Japanese import's pattern of alternating wins and losses in stateside bouts, as Mizugaki fell to 3-4 under Zuffa employ.

10. Masakatsu Ueda (12-1-2)
Shooto’s former 132-pound ruler has won two in a row since his shocking March 2010 title loss to Shuichiro Katsumura. After outpointing Akitoshi Tamura and submitting Ralph Acosta, Ueda has been assigned to a bout with Shooto legend Rumina Sato. The pair will meet at a catchweight of 134 pounds at “Shootor’s Legacy 3” in Tokyo on July 18.

Other contenders: Renan “Barao”, Wagnney Fabiano, Zach Makovsky, Michael McDonald, Eddie Wineland.

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