Who's No. 1, who's closing in? Here are your updated rankings

If Miguel Torres (right) can go undefeated in 2009, he could rank among the top pound-for-pound fighters. Courtesy of Zuffa MMA Rankings Click on the divisions to view the rankings Heavyweight Light Heavyweight Middleweight Welterweight Lightweight Featherweight Bantamweight Pound-for-Pound

One month down, 11 more to go. If they're all as busy as January, we're in trouble. Of course, an active schedule means plenty of fights between ranked competitors, and as we pause to see how the world's best mixed martial artists stack up, a sense of stability seems to be setting in.

From heavyweight to bantamweight, all seven No. 1 rankings held firm. Fedor Emelianenko solidified his grasp as the king of the heavies, while Georges St. Pierre, in spite -- some believe "because" -- of the Vaseline controversy, remains atop a loaded 170-pound class. Early tests for top-ranked fighters will continue throughout the first half of 2009.

Before we get to the divisional breakdowns (I included my pound-for-pound at the end just for fun), here are seven fighters who have a great shot to reveal themselves near the top of their respective divisions, if they're not already.

1. Alistair Overeem
Overeem can be a hit-and-miss, but when he hits people these days, you don't want to miss it. He is a threat to any striker in the division. A large frame ensures the Dutch heavyweight won't be physically overwhelmed by anyone. And experience has shaped Overeem to the point where he shouldn't feel out of place in any position or situation. He seems to want challenges, and there should be plenty to find this year.

2. Mauricio Rua

Yeah, he looked bad against Mark Coleman (UFC 93) and worse against Forrest Griffin (UFC 76). But Rua is finally healthy enough to fight on a regular schedule. We'll know everything we need to know when he fights Chuck Liddell in Montreal on April 18. There's a very real chance that confidence will displace ring rust for the previously top-ranked light heavyweight. The talent is there. We'll soon know if the Brazilian's body and heart are as well.

3. Vitor Belfort

Maybe there's a trend here: ultra-talented fighters prone to failing in big spots. That's Belfort -- or at least, that has been Belfort for quite some time. Now, at 185 pounds, the "Phenom" appears to have found new life. We've seen how quickly things can turn for the hot-and-cold former UFC champion, and he's currently on an upswing. A lack of opponents might hinder his rise, however Golden Boy Promotions and Affliction should have opportunities to bring in real opponents in a division that features loads of talent outside the UFC. I'd love to see any of these fights: Belfort vs. Cung Le; vs. Melvin Manhoef; vs. Gegard Mousasi; vs. Robbie Lawler.

4. Thiago Alves

The UFC had everyone thinking B.J. Penn was the most dangerous opponent Georges St. Pierre could face. Nope. That's Thiago Alves, and he's next. Alves is good enough on his feet to be one of the few fighters G.S.P. might have to take down. The thing is, that's not easy to do. Alves, as big if not bigger than the welterweight champion, has trained tirelessly to stay on his feet. Alves now stands as the one man who could get in the way of St. Pierre, supplanting Matt Hughes as the best welterweight in MMA history.

5. B.J. Penn

You have to think Penn will fight again. He cares deeply about his legacy, and he hasn't done enough at lightweight to warrant much of one at this point. Kenny Florian would be next in June or July. That's not an easy fight, but if Penn really is as great as he thinks he is, he should find a way to win. That would leave a host of young, tough fighters for him to deal with.

6. Jose Aldo

Talk about a division that will create news this year. Featherweight tournaments and contender showdowns are expected to highlight an incredibly busy opening six months for the weight class. While Urijah Faber is still the best-known commodity, there's a lot to be learned here. With the WEC, Dream, Bellator and many American and international promotions putting on featherweight fights, a division heavy on talent could easily produce contenders we haven't heard from yet. Aldo may not qualify as unknown because of an early showcase fight (he's getting another in the spring), but the accurate, hard-hitting Brazilian could be the one left standing.

7. Miguel Torres

An undefeated 2009 would not only solidify Torres as the best 135-pound mixed martial artist in the world, it would also push him into the discussion with Fedor, G.S.P and Anderson Silva as P4P No. 1. He already gets some play, but as new challengers are brought up through the ranks -- and there shouldn't be a shortage in the WEC -- Torres will only gain more press and deserved recognition. Nothing easy to start his year, as the WEC champion defends against hard-nosed Brian Bowles (ranked second) April 5 in Chicago.