Hendricks really jumpstarted his streak in December 2011 with a 12-second knockout of durable top contender Jon Fitch. However, Hendricks has turned in an equally impressive 2012 campaign, earning a competitive split decision over Josh Koscheck in May. Hendricks further made his case for a title shot at UFC 154 in November, starching Martin Kampmann with a knockout punch in just 46 seconds. The 29-year-old standout wrestler is emerging as one of the top dogs in the welterweight division, but he'll need to overcome another stiff test in the form of Jake Ellenberger at UFC 158 in March. With another decisive win, Hendricks should finally earn his shot at Georges St-Pierre's coveted throne.

The 25-year-old light heavyweight champion continues to reign supreme after notching a pair of impressive victories this year. At UFC 145 in April, Jones controlled his long-awaited grudge match with former teammate Rashad Evans. Despite receiving mostly criticism for all the events surrounding the cancellation of UFC 151 and Jones' subsequent refusal to fight Chael Sonnen, the Greg Jackson-trained New Yorker took on Vitor Belfort on just several weeks' notice at UFC 152 this past September, submitting the former champion after overcoming some early adversity in the form of an armbar. Jones is becoming a polarizing figure as he was also charged with a DWI this year, but his dominance in the Octagon is indisputable.

The smallest and quite possibly the quickest fighter on the UFC roster made history this year by becoming the inaugural flyweight champion. At 125 pounds, "Mighty Mouse" battled Ian McCall to a close majority draw this past March. Johnson came out strong in their June rematch, winning a unanimous decision. Finally, Johnson upset flyweight tournament favorite Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 this past September, earning a split decision to become the flyweight torchbearer. At 26, the Matt Hume-trained Johnson can further cement his status as the division's best fighter when he tangles with John Dodson in January.

The 25-year-old female phenom continues to deliver the goods, putting away highly regarded opponents by first-round armbar. Rousey vanquished Miesha Tate in March, then Sarah Kaufman in August, to claim and retain the Strikeforce 135-pound title. With the organization on the verge of shutting its doors for good, Rousey made history by joining the UFC as the first-ever female champion. Rousey has transcended the sport in the mainstream and she continues to attract new audiences. All that aside, the 4th dan black belt judoka, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, has made short work of every challenger thus far. The first female UFC fight in history has been tapped as the headliner of UFC 157 in February as Rousey defends her belt against Liz Carmouche. With UFC president Dana White refusing to commit to the division's long-term future, the outcome could determine the fate of female mixed martial arts on the big stage, which puts a lot of pressure on Rousey's shoulders.

It was a sensational year for the 29-year-old former WEC champion. Henderson competed three times this year, dethroning Frankie Edgar to win the lightweight championship, beating him again in a hotly contested decision this past August before rounding out a successful year against Nate Diaz in December, dominating the Cesar Gracie pupil for five one-sided rounds. With Edgar leaving the division, Henderson, who spent 75 minutes inside the Octagon in 2012, has solidified his standing as the premier lightweight in the game.

Despite only fighting twice this year, the sport's perennial pound-for-pound king emphatically put an end to his bitter rivalry with Chael Sonnen, ending their highly anticipated rematch via second-round TKO. With no plans to compete again until next year, Silva stepped up as a late headliner at UFC 153 this past October in Brazil, crushing Stephan Bonnar in the first round of their 205-pound special attraction. Bonnar later tested positive for steroids. Silva further boosted his stock by openly challenging UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre to a superfight. With original plans to retire by the age of 35, Silva continues to dazzle audiences at the age of 37. He has two fights left on his UFC contract with a likelihood of more to come in the future.

Entering 2012 after suffering the first loss of his career, Velasquez rebounded from a knee injury and re-established himself as the best heavyweight on the planet. Velasquez bloodied and battered Antonio Silva en route to a first-round stoppage in May to earn a rematch with his only conqueror. At UFC 155, Velasquez came out like a freight train, completely dominating Junior dos Santos for five rounds to reclaim his spot atop the heavyweight ladder. The aggressive 30-year-old Mexican-American couldn't ask for a better way to cap off 2012.