Lightweight
1. Conor McGregor (21-3)
On the heels of his “Money Fight” with Floyd Mayweather in August, the immediate assumption was that McGregor would wind up having a rubber match with Nate Diaz, simply because it is the most bankable and lucrative fight the UFC has to offer. However, “The Notorious” one has said his goal is to “legitimize” the lightweight crown, and in the wake of Tony Ferguson’s interim title win over Kevin Lee at UFC 216, UFC President Dana White has said that there’s no plans for McGregor-Diaz 3. For now, hope springs eternal that McGregor-Ferguson will actually take place and unify the 155-pound title.2. Tony Ferguson (23-3)
Make it 10 wins in a row for Ferguson. Even if he is not yet the “true” lightweight king, Ferguson’s exciting third-round triangle choke on Kevin Lee at UFC 216 earned him the interim 155-pound strap and put another sterling name on “El Cucuy’s” resume. More than that, if Conor McGregor and UFC President Dana White are to be believed, a Ferguson-McGregor unification showdown could be on tap in the first half of 2018. Frankly, the sport and the promotion would be better off for it.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 may return by year’s end.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 (16-3)
First, he had to battle the scale, and heaven only knows how he was allowed to get in the Octagon with such a gruesome staph infection. However, Lee made it to UFC 216 and for 10 minutes, “The Motown Phenom” gave Tony Ferguson a ton of problems. However, as his fitness slipped and Lee slowed, he saw his chance at the UFC interim lightweight title go out the window courtesy of a third-round Ferguson triangle. Following the defeat and the drama surrounding his prefight health, Lee is contemplating a move to 170 pounds.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 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. They have been booked opposite one another at UFC 218 on Dec. 2.8. 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 (14-3-1)
Looking to erase the memories of his “Knockout of the Year” loss to Edson Barboza in April, Dariush came out on fire in his UFC 216 bout with Evan Dunham, nearly stopping him with vicious strikes in the first round. However, the Kings MMA product could not put away Dunham, and the American fought back to even the scores over 15 minutes, resulting in a majority draw.10. Evan Dunham (18-6-1)
A four-fight winning streak earned Dunham another top-10 opponent at UFC 216, where he took on Beneil Dariush. Dunham was forced to rely on his trademark grit and rugged chin, overcoming a brutal opening-round beating from Dariush to roar back and get the upper hand in brawling exchanges over the last two rounds. On the back of his uncommon toughness, Dunham salvaged a majority draw and remains unbeaten in his last five bouts.Other Contenders: Nate Diaz , Al Iaquinta, Michael Johnson, Dustin Poirier, Francisco Trinaldo.
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