Mixed Martial Arts Pound-for-Pound Rankings

10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira-
The UFC heavyweight has his chance at Randy Couture's vacated heavyweight title when he goes up against former champ Tim Sylvia in Las Vegas. "Minotauro" is the best heavyweight in the world in submission fighting and is tough as nails. He also has excellent boxing skills to go with his ground fighting ability.

9. Urijah Faber-
The 145-pounder from the WEC has talked about the possibility of fighting B.J. Penn, and it could happen depending on the outcome of the upcoming fight between Penn and Sean Sherk. Faber might not be as well-known as the UFC's top fighters but he is the real deal with his excellent athletic ability and wrestling skills.

8. Takanori Gomi-
The PRIDE 154-pounder hasn't fought since early 2007 and appears to be weighing his options for his next fight. But Gomi is still as talented as just about anybody on this list and will be a serious threat to whoever he fights next.

7. Dan Henderson-
After a hard-fought loss to Quinton Jackson, Henderson has a chance to rebound in a big way as he takes on Anderson Silva for the middleweight crown. He will give Silva all he can handle with his strength and wrestling background and has a chance to shoot back up this list with a win.

6. B.J. Penn-
The Hawaiin lightweight showed up big in his win over Joe Stevenson and Penn appears to be more motivated than ever as he awaits a big-time grudge match against rival Sean Sherk, whose belt Penn just grabbed after Sherk forfeited it due to a test for high testosterone. Penn has called out Sherk many times, now he'd better be prepared to back up his words.

5. Randy Couture-
"The Natural" is in a major contract dispute with the UFC, which is too bad because he is as strong as ever at his old age. He might never get a chance to face Fedor Emilianenko and that's a shame for fans of the sport of mixed-martial arts because it would be an amazingly competitive match. Couture's career may be in jeopardy but his legacy is definitely safe.