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Lightweight
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) [1]
Maybe 30-0 won’t become a reality, but Nurmagomedov put about a perfect a stamp as one could on his mixed martial arts career with a second-round submission of Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner on Oct. 24. “The Eagle” withstood some heavy artillery from his opponent — including some powerful low kicks — while continuing to apply constant pressure. Eventually, Gaethje wilted on the canvas, as Nurmagomedov choked him unconscious at the 1:34 mark of Round 2. In the aftermath, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement, leaving behind a legacy that includes a 13-0 UFC mark and a record-tying four championship victories in the brutal lightweight division. In March, Dana White and the promotion finally accepted Nurmagomedov’s retirement and vacated the 155-pound belt. If his retirement holds, Nurmagomedov’s rankings eligibility will expire on April 24, 2022.2. Dustin Poirier (28-6, 1 NC) [2]
Though it may not have ended exactly as he would have liked it, there’s no question that Poirier was impressive during the opening round of his trilogy bout against Conor McGregor at UFC 264. Prior to the leg injury suffered by McGregor that prompted a doctor stoppage, “The Diamond” was on the verge of securing a finish by virtue of his heavy ground-and-pound from above. While a fourth meeting with the Irishman may yet be in the cards, Poirier has more pressing matters at hand: A shot at current 155-pound champion Charles Oliveira.3. Charles Oliveira (31-8, 1 NC) [3]
It took him 28 bouts to get there, but Oliveira is finally a UFC champion. “Do Bronx” survived early adversity and rallied to defeat Michael Chandler via second-round technical knockout to claim the vacant 155-pound belt in the UFC 262 headliner at the Toyota Center in Houston on May 15. That makes nine consecutive victories in the Octagon for Oliveira, whose latest effort earned him sole possession of the UFC’s all-time record for most finishes. Up next for the Brazilian standout is presumably Dustin Poirer, who put off a title shot for a lucrative trilogy bout with Conor McGregor.4. Justin Gaethje (22-3) [4]
Gaethje attacked as best he could against Khabib Nurmagomedov, but he was no match for “The Eagle” on the ground. Although the former World Series of Fighting title holder had some success on the feet, particularly with low kicks, the grappling exchanges were another matter entirely, as Gaethje fell victim to a triangle choke 1:34 into Round 2 of the UFC 254 headliner at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24. Gaethje had a four-bout winning streak snapped in defeat. “The Highlight” will return for an all-action clash against Michael Chandler at UFC 268.5. Patricio Freire (32-5) [5]
Freire is a champ-champ no longer, as he was relieved of his 145-pound belt in a first-round submission loss to A.J. McKee in the Bellator 263 headliner on July 31. “Pitbull” is still arguably the greatest talent to compete under the Bellator banner, and he remains the promotion’s lightweight king, which potentially sets the stage for a rematch with McKee one weight class up. It’s worth nothing that Freire has bounced back from adversity before: The Brazilian has twice lost featherweight title bouts in the California-based promotion only to avenge those defeats further down the road.6. Michael Chandler (22-6) [6]
Chandler appeared to be on the verge of capturing lightweight gold on a couple occasions in the opening round of his headlining clash with Charles Oliveira at UFC 262, but his Brazilian opponent proved to be more resilient than anticipated. Once “Do Bronx” survived Chandler’s initial onslaught, he rallied for a TKO triumph 19 seconds into Round 2 to claim the belt vacated by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Chandler will attempt to rebound when he meets fellow former lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 on Nov. 6.7. Beneil Dariush (21-4-1) [7]
Dariush smothered Tony Ferguson for the better part of three rounds in the UFC 262 co-main event on May 15, a dominant victory that included a heel hook submission in the second frame that might have done some serious damage to his opponent. The Kings MMA product has won seven straight fights within the Las Vegas-based promotion and appears destined for another significant matchup in his next Octagon appearance.8. Dan Hooker (20-10) [8]
Hooker never got going at UFC 257, and as a result, he served as highlight-reel fodder for recent free-agent acquisition Michael Chandler in a first-round technical knockout loss. After winning seven of eight promotional appearances from June 2017 to February 2020, “The Hangman” has dropped back-to-back bouts against Chandler and Dustin Poirier. His reputation as an action fighter should keep him in interesting bookings for the foreseeable future, however.9. Tony Ferguson (25-6) [9]
The past stretch has been a difficult one for Ferguson’s mixed martial arts career. After compiling a 12-bout winning streak from 2013 to 2019, “El Cucuy” has fallen to Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje in lopsided fashion. That skid, which includes a decision loss to Dariush in his last outing at UFC 262, means that the 37-year-old Team Death Clutch representative’s days as a top 155-pound contender are likely over.10. Islam Makhachev (20-1) [11]
Makhachev continued to solidify his reputation as a lightweight no one wants to face at UFC on ESPN 26, where he dominated Thiago Moises before scoring a fourth-round submission win at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on July 17. The Khabib Nurmagomedov protégé has won eight straight fights at 155 pounds and will face his most prominent foe to date when he locks horns with Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267.Other Contenders: Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, Paul Felder, Gregor Gillespie, Thiago Moises.
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