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Light Heavyweight

1. Jon Jones (17-1)

After a relatively farcical win over Vitor Belfort at UFC 152 in Toronto, many were expecting Jon Jones to get a do-over date with Dan Henderson or rematch Brazilian former champ Lyoto Machida. Instead “Jonny Bones” will coach opposite Chael Sonnen on the 17th season of “The Ultimate Fighter” before defending his UFC light heavyweight title against the brash Oregonian on April 27 of next year.

2. Dan Henderson (29-8)

Dan Henderson’s MCL injury was a key happening in what quickly escalated into one of MMA’s biggest stories of 2012: the cancelation of UFC 151. Many hoped Henderson would get another crack at Jon Jones in 2013, but Henderson is now taking a backseat to occasional training partner Chael Sonnen, whose high-profile trash talk has elevated him into an “Ultimate Fighter” coaching position and a third UFC title shot.

3. Rashad Evans (17-2-1)

Despite wishful talks of fighting Anderson Silva at 185 and fans speculating about worthwhile matches at 205, Rashad Evans remains on the shelf. The former UFC light heavyweight champion hasn’t seen action since his lopsided title challenge against former training partner Jon Jones this past April.

4. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (21-6)

It took the better part of four rounds, but “Shogun” was able to punch out Brandon Vera late in their Aug. 4 headliner on Fox. Next up for the Brazilian is a showdown with Swedish up-and-comer Alexander Gustafsson, another bout bound for network TV and one which could decide the next 205-pound challenger.

5. Lyoto Machida (18-3)

Lyoto Machida had a chance to challenge Jon Jones for the UFC crown for a second time in Toronto, but turned it down in hopes of securing a full training camp date down the line. Instead, it’s Chael Sonnen who got the call to be Jones’ next foe, and the native of Belem will be forced to go back to work in the 205-pound division in order to secure another title bid.

6. Phil Davis (10-1, 1 NC)

Two months after false starting against Wagner Prado in Los Angeles, “Mr. Wonderful” got back on the right track in Rio de Janeiro. Davis dominated Prado in their second encounter, putting on a wrestling clinic before locked up a sensational anaconda choke for the tap in the second frame.

7. Alexander Gustafsson (14-1)

Sweden’s top export put himself on the verge of title contention with his April decision win against Thiago Silva, and his next matchup could just put Gustafsson over the top. In the biggest fight of his young career, “The Mauler” will square off against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on Fox in December.

8. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5)

Injury derailed Nogueira’s second UFC main event, which was to come against Swedish up-and-comer Alexander Gustafsson on April 14. Instead, “Lil Nog” opted for surgery for an injured patella and watch from the sidelines as Gustafsson went out and cruised past Thiago Silva.

9. Ryan Bader (14-3)

Following the biggest win of his career against Quinton Jackson, Bader bit off more than he could chew with another ex-champ, Lyoto Machida. Having been scorched by “The Dragon” in the second round of their August encounter, it’s a step back down the light heavyweight ladder for the wrestler from Arizona State.

10. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-10)

Jackson was slated to fulfill the final bout on his UFC contract against Glover Teixeira in Rio de Janeiro, but an injury took Rampage out of the Oct. 13 bout. After running through replacement Fabio Maldonado at UFC 153, Teixeira called for the UFC to rebook his fight with Jackson, a sentiment echoed by the ex-champ.

Other contenders:

Rafael Cavalcante, Forrest Griffin, Attila Vegh, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Glover Teixeira.

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