Fighters.com's July Light Heavyweight Rankings: Machida Reigns

After knocking Fighters.com’s second-ranked light heavyweight “Sugar” Rashad Evans (13-1-1) silly at UFC 98 in Las Vegas in May, undefeated Fighters.com and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (15-0) reigns atop the division with an awkward, frustrating style. In October, he’ll defend his title from fifth-ranked “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (18-3) who’s coming off a first-round KO of eighth-ranked “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-7).

UFC President Dana White has publicly pleaded for Liddell to retire. Liddell had barely woken up from his last knockout before the UFC put all Chuck Liddell merchandise on sale. But, is losing four out of five, three by knockout, a fitting end to a storied career? Does Liddell have one more big win in him so he can retire with dignity?

Evans and fourth-ranked “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-7) have been pegged to coach The Ultimate Fighter 10 and meet in the Octagon in December.

Third-ranked Forrest Griffin (16-5) has drawn the honor of finding out whether Fighters.com’s Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (24-4) is ready for the big time at 205 next month in Philadelphia at UFC 101.

Tenth-ranked “Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (14-5-1) and former top ten Thiago Silva (14-1) will battle for a place at the bottom of the rankings at UFC 102 in Portland next month.

Sixth-ranked “Banha” Luis Arthur Cane (8-1), seventh-ranked “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (24-7), and ninth-ranked “Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1) are all without named or rumored opponents.