Lightweight
1. Conor McGregor (21-3)
Will he or will he not, and if he does, what is even the “what” in question? No one really knows what is next for McGregor. In the present moment, people are not even as interested in a McGregor fight as they are with whether or not the UFC will strip him of his lightweight title, thereby promoting Tony Ferguson to undisputed champion.2. Tony Ferguson (23-3)
It is hard not to sympathize with Ferguson’s anger. He has won 10 in a row inside the Octagon, and even after grabbing the interim UFC lightweight title by tapping Kevin Lee in October, he cannot firm up a date with full champion Conor McGregor. Worse still, although his anticipated bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov is now on the docket for UFC 223 in Brooklyn, New York, the UFC has yet to make a formal decision on whether or not to strip McGregor and promote Ferguson. As a result, “El Cucuy” has no idea what he and Nurmagomedov are even fighting for on April 7.3. Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0)
The last three years of Nurmagomedov’s career have been a rollercoaster ride. However, the 25-0 Dagestan native now has a chance to put the injuries and disappointments behind him and to do it in front of a crowd likely to get behind “The Eagle” when he challenges Tony Ferguson. Nurmagomedov is scheduled once again to face “El Cucuy” at UFC 223 on April 7 in Brooklyn, New York.4. Eddie Alvarez (29-5)
Alvarez’s showdown with Justin Gaethje on Dec. 2 was given “Fight of the Year” consideration months before it even happened. When it finally went down at UFC 218 in Detroit, Alvarez prevailed in a punishing classic, as he finally toppled Gaethje in the third round, handed the former World Series of Fighting champion the first loss of his pro career and claimed one of his greatest victories in the process.5. Edson Barboza (19-5)
It may sound bizarre to say, but despite a blowout loss on the scorecards to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 219, Barboza did not fight poorly. While the Brazilian was athletically and technically on point, he simply did not have enough to stop the indefatigable Dagestani grappler, who snapped Barboza’s three-fight winning streak in a lopsided decision.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. 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 choke. Following the defeat and the drama surrounding his prefight health, Lee is contemplating a move to 170 pounds.7. Justin Gaethje (18-1)
Even if he suffered the first loss of his pro career to Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218 in December, Gaethje’s 2017 campaign was still incredible, as the former World Series of Fighting champ was one half of the year’s two best fights, including his “Fight of the Year” win over Michael Johnson in July. Win or lose, Gaethje will always get action fights. Despite coming off of a loss to Alvarez, “The Highlight” is now lined up to main event UFC on Fox 29 against Dustin Poirier on April 14.8. Dustin Poirier (22-5)
The unceremonious no-contest ending to Poirier’s fight with Eddie Alvarez in May, in conjunction with Alvarez’s Dec. 2 knockout of Justin Gaethje, seemed like it would result in a no-brainer rematch between “The Diamond” and “The Underground King.” Instead, Poirier will get main event duty against the man Alvarez topped at UFC 218 when he confronts Gaethje at UFC on Fox 29 on April 14.9. Michael Chiesa (14-3)
“The Maverick” carried consecutive wins over Mitch Clarke, Jim Miller and Beneil Dariush into his June 25 bout with Kevin Lee but did not get much of a chance to extend his winning streak, as referee Mario Yamasaki handed Lee the technical submission via rear-naked choke. Chiesa’s appeal to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission was later denied. The Sikjitsu representative will look to return to the win column in a marquee 155-pound clash with ex-champion Anthony Pettis at UFC 223 on April 7 in Brooklyn, New York.10. 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. Dariush will next lock horns with Bobby Green at UFC 222 on March 3 in Las Vegas.Other Contenders: Evan Dunham, Al Iaquinta, Islam Makhachev, Francisco Trinaldo, James Vick.
Continue Reading » Featherweight