Featherweight
1. Max Holloway (19-3)
Holloway is not having much luck in 2018. Just days out from a scheduled 145-pound title defense against Brian Ortega in the UFC 226 co-main event, “Blessed” was pulled from the bout due to concussion-like symptoms. That marks the third time this year Holloway has been forced to withdraw from a fight: An injured foot forced him out of a matchup with Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 in March, and the Hawaiian was deemed medically unfit to take a short-notice lightweight title bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 in April. Holloway will likely be rebooked against Ortega down the road, but for now, his health is the primary concern.2. Brian Ortega (14-0)
There is no doubt about who is the No. 1 contender in the featherweight division following Ortega’s emphatic first-round knockout of two-time title challenger and former lightweight king Frankie Edgar at UFC 222. However, Ortega’s opportunity to claim featherweight gold was put on hold after reigning champion Max Holloway was forced to withdraw from their UFC 226 co-headliner due to concussion-like symptoms. Ortega reportedly declined a short-notice interim title fight against Jeremy Stephens, instead opting to be rebooked against Holloway at a later date.3. Jose Aldo (26-4)
Aldo’s second effort in six months against Max Holloway was less successful than the first, as the Brazilian legend was battered for three rounds and stopped by the Hawaiian once again at UFC 218 on Dec. 2. “Scarface” has now lost three of his last four bouts. Up next for the all-time featherweight king is a co-headlining date with the hard-punching Jeremy Stephens at UFC on Fox 30 on July 28 in Calgary, Alberta.4. Frankie Edgar (22-6-1)
It was not quite as dominant as the first time around, but Edgar nonetheless appears to have Cub Swanson’s number. Shaking off concerns about a quick turnaround following a devastating knockout loss to Brian Ortega at UFC 222, “The Answer” was back to his usual form, as he pressured and outpointed Swanson for three rounds at UFC Fight Night 128 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Edgar will continue to be a tough out for anyone looking to work their way to the top of the division.5. Cub Swanson (25-8)
Swanson forced Frankie Edgar to stay upright for their rematch at UFC Fight Night 128, but it was to no avail, as the Palm Springs, California, native lost a unanimous decision to fall to 0-2 against “The Answer.” Having recently signed a new contract with the UFC, Swanson will look to bounce back from the second two-fight losing streak of his promotional tenure against Renato Carneiro at UFC 227.6. Darren Elkins (24-5)
Elkins was getting pieced up by Michael Johnson in the latter’s featherweight debut at UFC Fight Night 124. Then, in a scene reminiscent of his 2017 comeback against Mirsad Bektic, “The Damage” dug deep, took Johnson’s back and choked him out in the second round. With six straight wins, Elkins now has the longest winning streak at 145 pounds in the UFC outside of champion Max Holloway. He will continue his climb toward title contention when he faces Australian prospect Alexander Volkanovski at UFC Fight Night 133 on July 14 in Boise, Idaho.7. Jeremy Stephens (28-14)
Now 28 fights into his Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure, Stephens may be in the best position of his lengthy career after a resounding second-round knockout of Josh Emmett in the UFC on Fox 28 main event gave “Lil’ Heathen” his third consecutive triumph at 145 pounds. Although it seems as if he has been around forever, Stephens is still just 32 years old and could be primed for featherweight title contention. A win over Jose Aldo at UFC on Fox 30 in July could get Stephens one step closer to making his championship dreams a reality.8. Chan Sung Jung (15-4)
With Jung back from two and a half years of mandatory military service in his native South Korea, the MMA world was thrilled when “The Korean Zombie” returned in February 2017 and lanced Dennis Bermudez in mere minutes. It was then quickly heartbroken when Jung’s slated UFC 214 bout with Ricardo Lamas fell apart after he was injured. Jung took to social media to angle for a showdown with Jeremy Stephens, but with “Lil’ Heathen” booked against Jose Aldo this summer, the South Korean has recently set his sights on Frankie Edgar.9. Josh Emmett (13-2)
Emmett could not capitalize on the momentum of his big knockout victory over ex-title challenger Ricardo Lamas in December, as he fell victim to the heavy hands and elbows of Jeremy Stephens in the UFC on Fox 28 headliner. The Team Alpha Male product now finds himself with some work to do in a deep and talented 145-pound division.10. Renato Carneiro (12-1-1)
Despite an extended run of success, Carneiro has flown under the radar at 145 pounds. The 29-year-old Brazilian has rattled off eight wins in his past nine appearances and has compiled a 4-1 record since joining the UFC roster in late 2014. “Moicano” last appeared at UFC 223 in April, when he rebounded from a submission loss to Brian Ortega with a unanimous decision over Calvin Kattar. A showdown with longtime featherweight standout Cub Swanson now looms, as the two have been booked opposite one another at UFC 227 on Aug. 4.Other Contenders: Mirsad Bektic, Doo Ho Choi, Patricio Freire, Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez.
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