Lightweight
1. Conor McGregor (21-3)
“The Money Fight” was actualized on Aug. 26, and McGregor got knocked out by Floyd Mayweather in the 10th round. Having made tens of millions from the historic spectacle, McGregor is in no need to race back to the Octagon, and his next move remains as unpredictable as ever. Do we get a trilogy with Nate Diaz? The winner of Tony Ferguson-Kevin Lee? Heaven forbid, a welterweight title shot? Only “Mystic Mac” knows for sure.2. Tony Ferguson (22-3)
One of the best fighters in the sport over the last four years and a winner of nine in a row inside the Octagon, Ferguson is done waiting. It is far from the crowning moment Ferguson might have dreamed of, but with Conor McGregor counting his millions from “The Money Fight” and Khabib Nurmagomedov still on the sidelines, “El Cucuy” will face big-talking blue chipper Kevin Lee for the interim lightweight title at UFC 216 on Oct. 7 in Las Vegas.3. Eddie Alvarez (28-5, 1 NC)
It has been a disappointing run for Alvarez, as the Philadelphia native endured a major reversal of fortunes in short order. Just over a year ago, Alvarez became UFC lightweight champion by blistering Rafael dos Anjos to take the strap. Two fights later, he was savaged by Conor McGregor and relinquished his strap. He then had to settle for a no-contest against 155-pound contender Dustin Poirier in May due to a series of illegal knees he dished out. Next up for Alvarez is a high-risk, high-reward proposition. The former UFC and Bellator titlist is lined up to be a coach on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 26; however, he is set to coach against 18-0 Justin Gaethje, who may be the only elite lightweight in the world with a greater lust for offense and more profound disregard for defense than Alvarez himself. May the wildest man win.4. Khabib Nurmagomedov (24-0)
When a blown weight cut canceled Nurmagomedov's UFC interim lightweight title bout with Tony Ferguson in April, it seemed like fate was conspiring against “The Eagle” and the sport, as if Nurmagomedov would never get healthy and never get the UFC title fight he richly deserves. Nothing is official yet, but the undefeated Dagestani fighter has told the Russian media he is healthy, training and targeting the UFC's Nov. 4 date inside Madison Square Garden for his return.5. Edson Barboza (19-4)
Barboza on March 11 authored perhaps the best knockout so far this year, clattering Beneil Dariush with a phenomenal flying knee. With consecutive wins over Dariush, Gilbert Melendez and former UFC champ Anthony Pettis, the 31-year-old Brazilian tried to throw his weight around and atone for his last defeat, lobbying for a five-round main event against Tony Ferguson but to no avail. Ferguson choked him out in the second round of their rollicking December 2015 clash.6. Kevin Lee (16-2)
With five straight wins in the ever-competitive UFC lightweight division, the 24-year-old Lee is one of the most talented prospects in the entire sport. Now, courtesy of Conor McGregor opting to box Floyd Mayweather and Khabib Nurmagomedov not being ready to fight by early October, Lee is going to get a UFC title shot. “The Motown Phenom” meets Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 216 on Oct. 7 in Lee's adopted hometown of Las Vegas.7. Justin Gaethje (18-0)
Outside of Anderson Silva's iconic, virtuoso performance against Chris Leben in June 2006, Gaethje may have authored the finest UFC debut for a high-profile free agent signee at “The Ultimate Fighter 25” Finale. In his first Octagon appearance, “The Highlight” lived up to his sobriquet, authoring the leading candidate for “Fight of the Year” against Michael Johnson, outlasting and knocking out his foe in a raucous 10-minute brawl. Gaethje's reward for his debut win may not be a real reward at all. The 18-0 Trevor Wittman understudy has signed on to coach the 26th season of “The Ultimate Fighter” against Eddie Alvarez, who could either represent a dream opponent to break Gaethje into the elite stratum at 155 pounds or a nightmare opponent ready to brutally exploit the former World Series of Fighting champ's willingness to brawl.8. Michael Chiesa (14-3)
Chiesa might have been bummed three years ago when he was unceremoniously stopped on a cut against Joe Lauzon in an exciting, competitive bout. However, after referee Mario Yamasaki completely botched the conclusion to Chiesa's bout with Kevin Lee, the disappointment must be magnified tenfold. “The Maverick” carried consecutive wins over Mitch Clarke, Jim Miller and Beneil Dariush into his June 25 bout with Lee but did not get much of a chance to extend his winning streak, as Yamasaki handed Lee the technical submission via rear-naked choke. Chiesa's appeal to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission was denied.9. Beneil Dariush (14-3)
In his March bout with Edson Barboza, Dariush was putting on one of the best performances of his career through eight minutes. Then, out of nowhere -- as the Brazilian is wont to do -- Barboza took flight and clobbered Dariush with a flying knee, authoring perhaps the 2017 “Knockout of the Year.” While overlooked and underrated, Dariush remains one of the most dangerous, skilled lightweights in the sport and will have a chance for redemption against a quality opponent next time out. The Kings MMA product is expected to meet Evan Dunham at UFC 216 on Oct. 7 in Las Vegas.10. Nate Diaz (19-11)
After Floyd Mayweather's stoppage of Conor McGregor in “The Money Fight,” conversation turned to when McGregor would return to the cage and consummate his trilogy with Diaz. When it actually goes down remains anyone's guess, and Diaz will likely sit tight until the fight is actualized. In the meantime, his longtime boxing coach Richard Perez has stated that Diaz would need $20-$30 million for the McGregor rubber match.Other Contenders: Evan Dunham, Al Iaquinta, Michael Johnson, Dustin Poirier, Francisco Trinaldo.
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