Light Heavyweight
1. Daniel Cormier (21-1)
Cormier added to his legacy at UFC 226, becoming only the second simultaneous two-division titleholder in the promotion’s history with a first-round knockout of heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic in the main event. Cormier remains undefeated in the big man’s division, and based on a post-fight confrontation with current World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Brock Lesnar, he could remain at heavyweight for his next title defense.2. Alexander Gustafsson (18-4)
Gustafsson has completed the rehabilitation process for his injured shoulder and is ready to return to the Octagon after recently inking a new UFC contract. After a rumored matchup with ex-middleweight champion Luke Rockhold fell through, “The Mauler” was supposed to square off with fellow former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 227 on Aug. 4 in Los Angeles. However, shortly after Oezdemir withdrew from the bout due to a broken nose, Gustafsson was also forced to exit the event as a result of a “minor injury.”3. Ryan Bader (25-5)
Bader’s march toward heavyweight gold began in emphatic fashion at Bellator 199, where he knocked out fellow 205-pounder Muhammed Lawal in just 15 seconds. The Power MMA Team product’s fifth straight triumph secured a meeting with Matt Mitrione in the semifinals of the Bellator MMA heavyweight grand prix on Oct. 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.4. Volkan Oezdemir (15-2)
Oezdemir has not seen the inside of the Octagon since suffering a second-round technical knockout loss to Daniel Cormier in a light heavyweight championship clash at UFC 220 on Jan. 20. Since then, legal issues and injury have prevented “No Time” from squaring off against the likes of Mauricio Rua (UFC Fight Night 129) and Alexander Gustafsson (UFC 227). With all those issues presumably behind him, Oezdemir will meet converted middleweight Anthony Smith in the UFC Fight Night 138 headliner on Oct. 27.5. Phil Davis (19-4)
“Mr. Wonderful” is 6-0 against opponents not named Ryan Bader since 2015. That string of success continued at Bellator 200, where Davis scored a head kick knockout of Linton Vassell in London. Considering that both of Davis’ defeats to Bader were of the split decision variety, it is not unreasonable to think a third meeting could be on the horizon. First, Davis will square off against Russian prospect Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 209 on Nov. 15.6. Jan Blachowicz (24-7)
Don’t look now, but Blachowicz is currently the owner of the longest active winning streak in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Once on the verge of losing his UFC roster spot after dropping four of five fights inside the Octagon, Blachowicz has since rebounded to win four consecutive bouts. Most recently, the 35-year-old Pole spoiled Nikita Krylov’s Octagon return with a second-round submission victory at UFC Fight Night 136 in Moscow.7. Jimi Manuwa (17-4)
Manuwa’s brief time as a light heavyweight title contender may be over. Given an opportunity to send a message on home soil in a rematch against Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight Night 127 in London, “Poster Boy” faltered badly, losing a clear-cut unanimous verdict in the co-main event. Now 38 years old, Manuwa has suffered two straight defeats after beginning his promotional tenure with wins in six of his first eight appearances. Manuwa tore his hamstring just days out from the UFC Fight Night 137 headliner, forcing him to withdraw from a proposed bout with Thiago Santos.8. Ilir Latifi (14-5)
In a division badly in need of new contenders, Latifi is working hard to provide a fresh face. “The Sledgehammer” won for the fifth time in six Octagon appearances at UFC on Fox 28, where he dropped Ovince St. Preux with a left hook before submitting his opponent with a standing guillotine choke in the opening stanza. The 35-year-old Swede was forced to withdraw from a proposed bout with fellow contender Glover Teixeira at UFC Fight Night 134, but will return to action against Corey Anderson at UFC 232 on Dec. 29.9. Ovince St. Preux (23-11)
St. Preux put a loss to Ilir Latifi in his rearview mirror, as he submitted Tyson Pedro with a straight armbar in the UFC Fight Night 132 co-main event on June 23 in Kallang, Singapore. The 35-year-old Knoxville MMA export has won four of his five fights since suffering consecutive defeats to Jon Jones, Jimi Manuwa and Volkan Oezdemir between April 23, 2016 and Feb. 4, 2017. One of the division’s most trusted and effective gatekeepers will continue that role when he meets the undefeated Dominick Reyes at UFC 229 on Oct. 6.10. Corey Anderson (11-4)
Anderson further distanced himself from consecutive knockout losses to Jimi Manuwa and Ovince St. Preux, as he filled in for Volkan Oezdemir in the UFC Fight Night 134 co-main event and dominated Glover Teixeira to a unanimous decision in Hamburg, Germany. “The Ultimate Fighter 19” winner will attempt to continue his ascent up the rankings when he squares off against Ilir Latifi at UFC 232.Other Contenders: Misha Cirkunov, Nikita Krylov, Tomasz Narkun, Anthony Smith, Glover Teixeira.
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