Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Lightweight
Mar 19, 2008
LIGHTWEIGHT (155-145)
1. Takanori Gomi (Pictures) (28-3-0, 1 NC)
Gomi did what was expected in stopping Duane Ludwig (Pictures) in his return to action March 5. However, with Dream's star-studded tournament underway and the upcoming Sherk-Penn bout looming, whether Gomi can find any worthwhile opponents and maintain his stature as the sport's top lightweight is the real question.
2. Gesias Calvancante
(Pictures) (14-1-1, 1 NC)
His bout with Shinya Aoki (Pictures) went from headache to horror story when the much-delayed match ended in a controversial no-contest. With a rigid tournament schedule, Calvancante's immediate future is in the hands of Dream parent company Fight Entertainment Group.
3. Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures) (16-3-1)
After a rather exciting ebb-and-flow match with Gilbert Melendez (Pictures), Ishida was inert in taking a tedious decision over South Korean upstart Bu Kyung Jung (Pictures). More will be expected and required in the next round of the Dream GP, where Ishida will likely face stiffer opposition.
There is little left to be said about B.J. Penn (Pictures)'s UFC lightweight title victory over Joe Stevenson -- the Hawaiian's first win over a top-10 lightweight in four years. He fought in the fashion most hoped he would for the duration of his career. If the new Penn shows up with similar motivation, his forthcoming bout with Sean Sherk (Pictures) could be an Octagon classic. A win over Sherk would almost certainly propel Penn to the top of the division.
5. Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) (13-1-0)
While initially scheduled for the Dream Grand Prix, Melendez has opted to fulfill his contractual duties with Strikeforce, fighting March 29 in a co-promotion with EliteXC on Showtime. That prospect wasn't so bad when he was slated to face hot up-and-comer Jorge Masvidal (Pictures), but he's now set to face Gabe Lemley (Pictures) in what should be a landslide victory for the Cesar Gracie (Pictures) product.
6. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures) (21-4-2)
While he deserved the victory, Kawajiri's win over Kultar Gill (Pictures) was less than inspiring. Hopefully a bout better befitting a perennial top lightweight will be coaxed out of the "Crusher" in the next round of the Dream Grand Prix.
7. Vitor Ribeiro (Pictures) (19-2)
"Shaolin" had successful eye surgery in September following his destruction at the hands of Gesias Calvancante (Pictures). For Ribeiro, recovery likely can't come fast enough to allow him to erase the memories of his dreadful performance in the Hero's semifinal.
8. Sean Sherk (Pictures) (32-2-1)
With his steroid saga behind him, Sherk can now focus on his opportunity to regain the UFC lightweight title he believes should still be his. The ever-game fighter faces an enormous challenge against the ultra-talented B.J. Penn (Pictures) in what should be a hotly anticipated encounter.
9. Joe Stevenson (28-8-0)
After earning a well-deserved title opportunity in January, Stevenson was dismantled by B.J. Penn (Pictures). Thankfully, there are still dozens of compelling bouts for the solid Stevenson, though another title shot in the UFC's 155-pound class could be a ways away.
10. Frank Edgar (Pictures) (8-0-0)
One of the most pleasant surprises of 2007, Edgar burst onto the scene in February with an instant classic and fight-of-the-year candidate against then-undefeated Tyson Griffin. The New Jersey standout will look to push his record to 9-0 against fellow undefeated wrestler Gray Maynard (Pictures) on April 2.
1. Takanori Gomi (Pictures) (28-3-0, 1 NC)
Gomi did what was expected in stopping Duane Ludwig (Pictures) in his return to action March 5. However, with Dream's star-studded tournament underway and the upcoming Sherk-Penn bout looming, whether Gomi can find any worthwhile opponents and maintain his stature as the sport's top lightweight is the real question.
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His bout with Shinya Aoki (Pictures) went from headache to horror story when the much-delayed match ended in a controversial no-contest. With a rigid tournament schedule, Calvancante's immediate future is in the hands of Dream parent company Fight Entertainment Group.
3. Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures) (16-3-1)
After a rather exciting ebb-and-flow match with Gilbert Melendez (Pictures), Ishida was inert in taking a tedious decision over South Korean upstart Bu Kyung Jung (Pictures). More will be expected and required in the next round of the Dream GP, where Ishida will likely face stiffer opposition.
4. B.J.
Penn (Pictures) (12-4-1)
There is little left to be said about B.J. Penn (Pictures)'s UFC lightweight title victory over Joe Stevenson -- the Hawaiian's first win over a top-10 lightweight in four years. He fought in the fashion most hoped he would for the duration of his career. If the new Penn shows up with similar motivation, his forthcoming bout with Sean Sherk (Pictures) could be an Octagon classic. A win over Sherk would almost certainly propel Penn to the top of the division.
5. Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) (13-1-0)
While initially scheduled for the Dream Grand Prix, Melendez has opted to fulfill his contractual duties with Strikeforce, fighting March 29 in a co-promotion with EliteXC on Showtime. That prospect wasn't so bad when he was slated to face hot up-and-comer Jorge Masvidal (Pictures), but he's now set to face Gabe Lemley (Pictures) in what should be a landslide victory for the Cesar Gracie (Pictures) product.
6. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures) (21-4-2)
While he deserved the victory, Kawajiri's win over Kultar Gill (Pictures) was less than inspiring. Hopefully a bout better befitting a perennial top lightweight will be coaxed out of the "Crusher" in the next round of the Dream Grand Prix.
7. Vitor Ribeiro (Pictures) (19-2)
"Shaolin" had successful eye surgery in September following his destruction at the hands of Gesias Calvancante (Pictures). For Ribeiro, recovery likely can't come fast enough to allow him to erase the memories of his dreadful performance in the Hero's semifinal.
8. Sean Sherk (Pictures) (32-2-1)
With his steroid saga behind him, Sherk can now focus on his opportunity to regain the UFC lightweight title he believes should still be his. The ever-game fighter faces an enormous challenge against the ultra-talented B.J. Penn (Pictures) in what should be a hotly anticipated encounter.
9. Joe Stevenson (28-8-0)
After earning a well-deserved title opportunity in January, Stevenson was dismantled by B.J. Penn (Pictures). Thankfully, there are still dozens of compelling bouts for the solid Stevenson, though another title shot in the UFC's 155-pound class could be a ways away.
10. Frank Edgar (Pictures) (8-0-0)
One of the most pleasant surprises of 2007, Edgar burst onto the scene in February with an instant classic and fight-of-the-year candidate against then-undefeated Tyson Griffin. The New Jersey standout will look to push his record to 9-0 against fellow undefeated wrestler Gray Maynard (Pictures) on April 2.
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