Written by: Kevin Early

1. Ben Henderson (16-2)
Although his recent wins have been by decision, Ben Henderson has been walking through the division since the WEC joined the UFC. After winning the belt from Frankie Edgar in a close match, he is set for a rematch for his first title defense.

2. Frankie Edgar (14-2-1)
With only two losses, an avenged loss to Gray Maynard and the most recent loss to Ben Henderson, Frankie Edgar has been on top of the lightweight division until his close loss of the belt. He is already set to rematch "smooth" Henderson. He is undersized but has a huge heart.

3. Nate Diaz (15-7)
After beating Jim Miller he will get a title shot with the winner of Henderson Edgar II as confirmed by Dana White. Diaz looked in top form when he submitted Takanori Gomi last year, and looked even better brawling Donald Cerrone in December. He will pose a threat to who ever he faces. 

4. Gray Maynard (10-1-1)
Gray Maynard is firmly placed below Frankie Edgar and for good reason. Maynard would probably be the lightweight champ if Edgar didn't exist. His last two fights have been against Edgar, one was a draw and the other a loss. He is expected to face the energizer bunny Clay Guida in June.

5. Anthony Pettis  (15-2)
"Showtime" knocked out Joe Lauzon with a spectacular head kick in February which affirmed is contender status. I personally was not a fan of the judges decision in his loss to Clay Guida where Guida used lay and pray to win a decision. Another win by Pettis could put him in a title bout. Since Clay Guida and Gray Maynard are set to face off, he could face the winner for number one contender. 

6. Clay Guida (29-12)
Guida will try to rebound from his tough loss to Ben Henderson last November in a bout with Gray Maynard.  He has emerged as a true contender but I thought his lay and pray tactics against Anthony Pettis will not work fighting the elite. 

7. Jim Miller (21-3)
With his submission win of Melvin Guillard sandwiched between a loss to Ben Henderson and Nate Diaz, Jim Miller's ability to be a contender is in question. He moves down a few spots but with a big comeback win he could be back in the fray in no time.

UFC Welterweight Rankings 2012

UFC Middleweight Rankings 2012

UFC Light-Heavyweight Rankings 2012

UFC Heavyweight Rankings 2012