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1
- José Aldo
- "Junior"
- 32-8-0
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Pound-for-pound staple Aldo is likely the most dangerous featherweight in MMA history standing up. After staying undefeated in the WEC through eight bouts (which is an accolade only he can claim), Aldo converted his WEC title into UFC gold and subsequently took care of Mark Hominick, Kenny Florian and (then undefeated) Chad Mendes, all convincingly. Continuing his undisputed reign will not be easy if the division keeps on adding contenders like it is now, but if anyone can come out on top, it's "Junior".
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2
- Chad Mendes
- "Money"
- 18-5-0
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"Money" is great at controlling people who aren't the champion. On his road to Aldo, Mendes swept aside new number one contender Erik Koch, Cub Swanson, never-finished Javier Vasquez, Michihiro Omigawa, and, most recently, Rani Yahya, who he chose to fight in lieu of waiting until Aldo healed. In becoming a sort of featherweight Fitch, Mendes will still be able to stay near the title if he works on his standup, which isn't lacking but could use some power and growth.
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3
- Chan Sung Jung
- "The Korean Zombie"
- 17-8-0
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"The Korean Zombie" has been on a tear after struggling, and so far it looks as if he is one fight away from a sure title fight. During his rematch against Leonard Garcia, Jung no doubt showed his tricks he had been working on, getting the win by utilizing the UFC's first twister submission and then stunning everyone with a nearly record-setting knockout of Mark Hominick. Keeping Dustin Poirier at bay might have been just as impressive due to the bout's exciting nature and Jung's demonstration of all-around skill.
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4
- Erik Koch
- "The Phoenix"
- 16-6-0
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Koch is a young, heavy-handed martial artist with one loss, a decision to Mendes. As the first to knockout Francisco Rivera and Rafael Assuncao, it's widely known that his standup is his strength, but not being finished yet is something that makes him even scarier. Because Aldo had to pull out of his title meeting with Koch, the challenger has been left in limbo, but this may be a good thing, as one must leave all bases covered if he expects to challenge Aldo. More training will only make Koch better and hopefully more finish-capable, which is not good for future opponents.
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5
- Dustin Poirier
- "The Diamond"
- 30-8-0, 1 NC
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"The Diamond" forced himself into the top ten by besting the ground-focused Josh Grispi in a fight that had a lot of ground time. This was impressive. His showings against "Stun Gun" and Pablo Garza weren't too bad, either, and after trading with Max Holloway with mixed results, Poirier took the matter into his own hands, forcing the fight to the ground and finishing with a flashy double-sub. Even though he wasn't good enough against a fast-track "The Korean Zombie", Poirier has looked fit enough to have a chance to fight for the belt sooner or later.
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6
- Hatsu Hioki
- 29-12-2
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The unfinished Hatsu Hioki has fought out of Japan four times in his 32-fight career, and also happens to have only four losses (all by decision, of course.) Honestly, no particular period or fight truly stands out the way usually seen on other top fighters' resumes, but consistency can not be taken lightly. Defeating many unknowns isn't notable, but beating numerous tough and experienced fighters is, and these foes include Mark Hominick (twice), Marlon Sandro, George Roop and Bart Palaszewski. Hioki's high status won't be held if he flops in his next bout, however, and he knows this.
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7
- Pat Curran
- "Paddy Mike"
- 23-9-0
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Young champion Curran, cousin of Jeff Curran, has momentum on his side, having brutally knocked out his last two opponents/often-ranked featherweights Marlon Sandro and Joe Warren. Before this pair, Curran defeated Roger Huerta and Toby Imada on his way to facing then-lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez for five rounds. Finishing ability on the ground and feet is an attribute that can carry Curran far, and their continued use is likely to keep the belt on his waist.
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8
- Diego Nunes
- "The Gun"
- 24-10-0
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"The Gun" looked to be unstoppable after opening his career with eleven straight finishes on the Brazilian fight scene. Upon entrance into the WEC and UFC, he has still looked good, but has been through nine straight decisions, although he has lost only to LC Davis, Kenny Florian and Dennis Siver. Wins over Mike Brown and Manvel Gamburyan bolster his resume, but finishes would help his title argument.
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9
- Dennis Siver
- 23-11-0, 1 NC
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German kickboxer Siver has a reputation for having nasty kicks, but he is actually good everywhere. Despite being finished in six of eight losses, Siver is still getting better, and may become even better at his new weight in the featherweight division, where he was welcomed by Diego Nunes and won in what was a good performance over great competition. Siver's past four losses aren't anything to complain about, either, as they were to Donald Cerrone, Ross Pearson, Melvin Guillard and Gray Maynard. One more win against a top-ten opponent may claim number one contender status.
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10
- Charles Oliveira
- "do Bronx"
- 34-10-0, 1 NC
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"Do Bronx", like Siver, looks nice and comfortable at his new weight of 145. Following an undefeated fourteen-fight opening to his career, Oliveira suffered a three-fight mishap (including one no contest), losing one fight each to the larger, more accustomed-to-MMA Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone. Bouncing back with impressive submissions over Eric Wilsely (with the UFC's first calf slicer) and Jonathan Brookins just about seals the deal on where Oliveira should stay, and is just what he needed to stay in the mix in a division full of veterans and fresh. hungry faces.