Perhaps you have noticed the monthly pound-for-pound rankings we have been cranking out over here at FiveKnuckles.com. Unfortunately the month of May was severely lacking when it comes to top pound-for-pound fighters actually fighting. The only guy even remotely close to being ranking who fought in May was Quinton Jackson. With no one active at the top of the list, the top ten remained completely unchanged for the month of June.

So instead I decided to count down the top ten fighters in the most competitive division in the sport- the lightweight division. 

Now these rankings won't be reflected on the website as I was only given the keys to the pound-for-pound rankings. These rankings are mine and mine alone. So without further adieu, let's count down the top 10 lightweights in the world. 

Just Slightly Outside the Top Ten:

Sean Sherk, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Dennis Siver

10. Clay Guida

Impressive Victories: Rafael dos Anjos, Takanori Gomi, Nate Diaz

Why Ranked Here: Clay Guida has been the perennial gatekeeper for the top of the lightweight division for quite some time in the UFC. Since 2007 Guida has only tasted defeat by the hands of Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez, the latter which was widely considered one of the best fights of 2009. 

By now you know what you get with Guida, an above average wrestler and average striker with an insane chin, heart and cardio. He has the ability to stay in fights due to his sheer tenacity and his titanium chin, which was put on display during the fight with Sanchez when he was knocked senseless by a head kick only to recover mere seconds later. 

Guida can solidify himself as a true top ten lightweight with a victory over Anthony Pettis this coming Saturday. If he wins he will have successfully kept another fighter from reaching the top of the UFC lightweight division. If he loses you can bet Pettis will be challenging for a title before long. 

9. Ben Henderson

Impressive Victories: Donald Cerrone X2, Jamie Varner, Shane Roller, Mark Bocek

Why Ranked Here: Ben Henderson is eerily similar to Clay Guida. Henderson is virtually unstoppable, with rubber limbs and a chin that took the most amazing kick in the history of mixed martial arts only to remain conscious. Henderson has almost made a name out of seeing how deep he can allow opponents to sink in submissions while still being able to escape. His fights with Cerrone were especially impressive considering Cerrone's general aptitude for the ground game and his normally daunting submissions. 

Henderson has consistently improved his skill set throughout his career in mixed martial arts. His most recent appearance, a victory over Bocek, saw Henderson with much improved striking. He easily out classed Bocek on the feet and looked better in every facet of the game. 

8. Melvin Guillard

Impressive Victories: Evan Dunham, Dennis Siver, Jeremy Stephens

Why Ranked Here: My personal dark horse of the lightweight class. Guillard was always one of those wasted talent sort of cases. Guillard had all the physical tools to compete against the champions of the UFC but his reckless attitude and downright stupid decisions inside the Octagon cost him countless times. Guillard has amazing athleticism, a solid wrestling background and some of the most powerful striking in the entire lightweight division. But that never translated in Guillard entering the top 15...