The month of August was an important period of time for the lightweight division in mixed martial arts. Benson Henderson successfully defended the UFC lightweight championship in a rematch with former top dog Frankie Edgar. However, that was hardly the only activity that occurred in the division.
In a pair of outstanding bouts, Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone each picked up exciting victories against Jamie Varner and Melvin Guillard, respectively.
Big-named fighters moved in and out of the division in August as well. Welterweight star Diego Sanchez officially announced a return to lightweight, while Frankie Edgar is the newest member of the UFC featherweight roster.
As if that’s not enough, the next challenger for Henderson and his UFC championship were announced in the form of Nate Diaz.
This is the official Bleacher Report MMA rankings of MMA’s lightweight division for the month of September 2012.