Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Lightweight
Feb 6, 2008
LIGHTWEIGHT (155-145)
1. Takanori Gomi (Pictures) (27-3-0, 1 ND)
After nearly a year of intense scrutiny over his notorious bout with Nick Diaz (Pictures) and mounting criticisms over how good Pride fighters really are, Gomi signed with upstart World Victory Road and will see action on the promotion's March 5 debut card. Gomi's ability to continue to reign as the sport's top lightweight will hinge on his ability to fight and beat top opponents in a rapidly changing division.
2. Gesias Calvancante
(Pictures) (14-1-1)
After fans were robbed of a JZ-Aoki bout on New Year's Eve, the bout is scheduled to take place in March under the watch of K-1 and HERO'S backer Fight Entertainment Group. However, who puts it on and where it happens is unimportant, so long as the much-anticipated bout actually happens this time.
3. Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures) (16-3-1)
Undersized and predictable as a fighter, many thought Ishida had peaked with a fortuitous win over a streaking Marcus Aurelio. Instead, "The Endless Fighter" marched out to the ring and outwrestled the undefeated and highly regarded Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) for a unanimous decision -- the biggest win of his career. Like many former Pride fighters, what's next for Ishida is uncertain, but hopefully 2008 can see him against some noteworthy competition.
There is little left to be said about B.J. Penn (Pictures)'s UFC lightweight title capture over Joe Stevenson -- the Hawaiian's first win over a top-10 lightweight in four years. He fought in the fashion most hoped he would for the duration of his career. With the win, Penn jumps from eighth to fourth in the rankings. If the new "Hilo Rude Boy" shows up with similar motivation, his forthcoming bout with Sean Sherk (Pictures) could be an Octagon classic. A win over Sherk would almost certainly propel Penn to the top of the division.
5. Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) (13-1-0)
In what looked to be a tough but winnable contest for Melendez, "El Nino" dropped a decision to Mitushiro Ishida in a back-and-forth bout of scrambles. While Melendez has already asked for a rematch, he'll first have to defend his Strikeforce crown in March. With the rise of "The Prodigy," Melendez falls from fourth to fifth.
6. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures) (20-4-2)
After a year away from the ring, Kawajiri looked like the "Crusher" of old as he pounded Brazilian wildman Luiz Azeredo (Pictures) to a dominant unanimous decision on the Yarennoka card. Here's to seeing more of the former Shooto world champ in 2008. With Penn's leap into the top four, Kawajiri falls from fifth to sixth.
7. Vitor Ribeiro (Pictures) (19-2)
"Shaolin" had successful eye surgery in September following his destruction at the hands of Gesias Calvancante (Pictures). For Ribeiro, recovery likely can't come fast enough to allow him to erase the memories of his dreadful performance in the HERO'S semifinal. "Shaolin" falls from sixth to seventh.
8. Sean Sherk (Pictures) (32-2-1)
With his steroid saga behind him, Sherk can now focus on his opportunity to regain the UFC lightweight title he believes should still be his. The ever-game fighter faces an enormous challenge against the ultra-talented Penn in what should be a hotly anticipated encounter. For the time being, Penn's rise in the division drops Sherk from seventh to eighth.
9. Joe Stevenson (28-8-0)
After earning a well-deserved title opportunity in January, Stevenson was dismantled. Thankfully, there are still dozens of compelling bouts for the solid Stevenson, though another title shot in the UFC's 155-pound class could be a ways away.
10. Frank Edgar (Pictures) (8-0-0)
One of the most pleasant surprises of 2007, Edgar burst onto the scene in February with an instant classic and fight-of-the-year candidate against then-undefeated Tyson Griffin. The New Jersey standout will look to push his record to 9-0 against fellow undefeated wrestler Gray Maynard (Pictures) in April.
1. Takanori Gomi (Pictures) (27-3-0, 1 ND)
After nearly a year of intense scrutiny over his notorious bout with Nick Diaz (Pictures) and mounting criticisms over how good Pride fighters really are, Gomi signed with upstart World Victory Road and will see action on the promotion's March 5 debut card. Gomi's ability to continue to reign as the sport's top lightweight will hinge on his ability to fight and beat top opponents in a rapidly changing division.
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After fans were robbed of a JZ-Aoki bout on New Year's Eve, the bout is scheduled to take place in March under the watch of K-1 and HERO'S backer Fight Entertainment Group. However, who puts it on and where it happens is unimportant, so long as the much-anticipated bout actually happens this time.
3. Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures) (16-3-1)
Undersized and predictable as a fighter, many thought Ishida had peaked with a fortuitous win over a streaking Marcus Aurelio. Instead, "The Endless Fighter" marched out to the ring and outwrestled the undefeated and highly regarded Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) for a unanimous decision -- the biggest win of his career. Like many former Pride fighters, what's next for Ishida is uncertain, but hopefully 2008 can see him against some noteworthy competition.
4. B.J.
Penn (Pictures) (12-4-1)
There is little left to be said about B.J. Penn (Pictures)'s UFC lightweight title capture over Joe Stevenson -- the Hawaiian's first win over a top-10 lightweight in four years. He fought in the fashion most hoped he would for the duration of his career. With the win, Penn jumps from eighth to fourth in the rankings. If the new "Hilo Rude Boy" shows up with similar motivation, his forthcoming bout with Sean Sherk (Pictures) could be an Octagon classic. A win over Sherk would almost certainly propel Penn to the top of the division.
5. Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) (13-1-0)
In what looked to be a tough but winnable contest for Melendez, "El Nino" dropped a decision to Mitushiro Ishida in a back-and-forth bout of scrambles. While Melendez has already asked for a rematch, he'll first have to defend his Strikeforce crown in March. With the rise of "The Prodigy," Melendez falls from fourth to fifth.
6. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures) (20-4-2)
After a year away from the ring, Kawajiri looked like the "Crusher" of old as he pounded Brazilian wildman Luiz Azeredo (Pictures) to a dominant unanimous decision on the Yarennoka card. Here's to seeing more of the former Shooto world champ in 2008. With Penn's leap into the top four, Kawajiri falls from fifth to sixth.
7. Vitor Ribeiro (Pictures) (19-2)
"Shaolin" had successful eye surgery in September following his destruction at the hands of Gesias Calvancante (Pictures). For Ribeiro, recovery likely can't come fast enough to allow him to erase the memories of his dreadful performance in the HERO'S semifinal. "Shaolin" falls from sixth to seventh.
8. Sean Sherk (Pictures) (32-2-1)
With his steroid saga behind him, Sherk can now focus on his opportunity to regain the UFC lightweight title he believes should still be his. The ever-game fighter faces an enormous challenge against the ultra-talented Penn in what should be a hotly anticipated encounter. For the time being, Penn's rise in the division drops Sherk from seventh to eighth.
9. Joe Stevenson (28-8-0)
After earning a well-deserved title opportunity in January, Stevenson was dismantled. Thankfully, there are still dozens of compelling bouts for the solid Stevenson, though another title shot in the UFC's 155-pound class could be a ways away.
10. Frank Edgar (Pictures) (8-0-0)
One of the most pleasant surprises of 2007, Edgar burst onto the scene in February with an instant classic and fight-of-the-year candidate against then-undefeated Tyson Griffin. The New Jersey standout will look to push his record to 9-0 against fellow undefeated wrestler Gray Maynard (Pictures) in April.
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