The rankings take into account a fighter’s overall performance, win-loss record, head-to-head matches and common opponents, and difficulty of opponents.

The rankings system, from MMAWeekly.com, is considered the most comprehensive rankings system in the sport.

MMA Fighters who are currently serving drug-related suspensions are not eligible for Top 10 consideration until they have fought one time after the completion of their suspension.

They must also have competed within the past 12 months in order to be eligible for Top 10 consideration unless they have a bout scheduled within a reasonable time frame.

In the Heavyweight division (over 205 pounds), Cain Velasquez is ranked no.1 followed by Fabricio Werdum and Brock Lesnar.

In the Light Heavyweight (205-pound limit) division, Jon Jones is No. 1 followed by Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Rashad Evans.

Anderson Silva tops the Middleweight division (185-pound limit), followed by Yushin Okami and Nathan Marquardt.

And Georges St-Pierre stays atop the Welterweight category (170-pound limit), followed by Jon Fitch and Jake Shields.

MMA Betting Odds have Silva as a -270 moneyline favorite.

8Reigning Champion Silva has not lost a bout since 2006, though he was stretched to the limit by his last challenger Chael Sonnen. The hard-hitting Belfort possesses one of the biggest threats that Silva has faced for his middleweight crown.

Despite lackluster performances in several of his last few bouts Silva still holds one of the most complete skill sets in MMA. He has proven that he has knockout power, great submission skills, and the endurance to come from behind, even after having taken a beating. Ranked by many as the number one middleweight in the world, Silva faces a big test in Belfort.

Vitor Belfort is famous for his fast hands, and devastating knockout power which carried him to the top of the UFC light heavyweight division several years ago. He has shown to have poor conditioning in previous bouts, and has fallen short in big match ups on more than one occasion. Despite this Belfort remains a huge threat in the bout, and has the kind of power that can end a fight in the blink of an eye.

This match will boil down to who can impose their will during the bout. If Belfort can press the action early he may be able to stun Silva, who has slowed in the last two years, however the longer the fight goes on the more it favors Silva.

As Jackson completes the outstanding fights on his contract, his MMA career is understood to be winding down, with Machida is next on the agenda. On Twitter, “The Dragon” confirmed the bout. Before Rampage hangs up the gloves, he wants to avenge defeats to Rashad Evans, Mauricio Shogun Rua and Forrest Griffin.

However, at UFC 117, Anderson Silva is eyeing up another 205lb challenge after he faces Chael Sonnen, to face Georges St-Pierre. Silva, in his last light-heavyweight venture, had destroyed Griffin. UK president Marshall Zelaznik is a big supporter of a Silva/Jackson encounter and Silva will be targeting a major name as his next opponent.

Zelaznik said, “I’d love to see something like that happen. When he fights at light heavyweight, nobody comes away complaining from his fights. He can obviously fight at either weight, but it’s almost as if the anticipation surrounding Anderson Silva only brings out the man we all imagine him to be when he takes these light-heavyweight challenges.”

He added, “There’s such a size thing surrounding the GSP v Anderson situation. If you hang out with Anderson, he is such a big guy. The difference between him and GSP is significant. Obviously that is a factor in this sport, can skill overcome size? But in this situation Anderson has the frame of a light-heavyweight.”

Talking about a Silva vs. GSP super fight, UFC commentators began the Abu Dhabi event as the next challenge on Silva’s agenda, if he defended his title against Demian Maia. White has decided to throw the middleweight champion towards the snarling Chael Sonnen, since the manner of that defense was so appalling to him.

After The Spider’s good friend Lyoto Machinda was dispossessed of his crown, the plan for Silva post-Sonnen is said to be a run at the light-heavyweight belt. St-Pierre may be too small for Silva, believes White, although he admits that he will have no choice but to put it together, if demand for the fight continues.

The UFC president said, “These guys still have a few fights to go before that could happen, we’re in the business of making fights that people want to see. For instance, right now, I am getting terrorized – and I am shocked that people keep doing it – to put on Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre. It starts to get to the point where I am like, ‘I guess if everybody wants to see this fight, maybe we make this fight “.

“My return to the ring has been defined by (UFC owner) Lorenzo (Fertitta), He called me and wants me to be ready in October and I’ll be ready by then”, said Belfort in an interview.

For Silva, who faces wrestler Chael Sonnen on August 17 at UFC 117 in Oakland, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Belfort has few words.

“What bothered me about Anderson, and also bothered us all, was the lack of respect he had with the athlete and man inside the Octagon, talking dirty words, skipping, then kneeling to ask for forgiveness and then not wanting to apologize, It was a controversy, people tried to tell him, but (his manager) Ed Soares translated incorrectly. What bothers me is that I had great affection for him when I knew him. Now he is not the same as before”, said Belfort.

The 33-year-old Belfort said he is using his recovery time to come back an elite fighter. He has back-to-back first-round finishes over Rich Franklin and Matt Lindland. Belfort said, in his sights, he has his one-time teammate Silva, also touted for his striking skills.

“Everybody wants this fight and should make for some good betting action. I think it will be the fight of the century; It is a much-anticipated fight and has to happen. It did not happen, but now it has to happen more than ever. Now, I am more determined. I really want this fight. Before they put this fight on me, but now I want it. Now it’s my challenge and it will come,” said Belfort.

As of right now, the main event is set to be for the UFC Middleweight title and will pit the champion Anderson Silva against Demian Maia. This fight has just been recently announced as Silva was orginally set to go against Vitor Belfort but a training injury has caused Belfort to withdraw from the bout.

Other matches that have been signed for UFC 112 are as follows: Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn will defend his title against Frankie Edgar, Matt Hughes returns to the octagon and will have a tough opponent as he battles Renzo Gracie in the middleweight division, Terry Etim takes on Raphael Dos Anjos in a lightweight bout, and Kendall Grove takes on Mark Munoz in the middleweight division.

There is also a huge preliminary card that will feature UFC regulars Phil Davis, John Gunderson, Paul Taylor, among others. UFC 112 looks to be another chapter in the awesome history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and offers some new events for sportsbook betting.