Lightweight
1. Rafael dos Anjos (25-7)
Dos Anjos’ first UFC title defense could hardly have gone better, as the Brazilian ace tore through Donald Cerrone in 66 seconds to end 2015 with gold around his waist. The Kings MMA product has lost just once in his last 11 outings, an April 2014 decision defeat against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Dos Anjos was slated to defend his belt against featherweight king Conor McGregor at UFC 196, but a broken foot forced the Brazilian to withdraw.2. Donald Cerrone (28-7, 1 NC)
Cerrone may be one of the most exciting fighters in the lightweight division, but “Cowboy” continues to stumble when it matters most. His bid to take the UFC title from Rafael dos Anjos lasted only 66 seconds, as Cerrone wilted under an early onslaught from the champion. The loss snapped an eight-fight, two-year unbeaten streak during which Cerrone bested the likes of Benson Henderson, Eddie Alvarez and Edson Barboza. He recently moved up for a fight at 170 pounds, where he submitted Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira with a first-round triangle choke. Cerrone will remain in the welterweight division for his next assignment, as he takes on Patrick Cote at a UFC Fight Night event on June 18.3. Eddie Alvarez (27-4)
Alvarez utilized a gritty, grapple-heavy game plan to grind out Anthony Pettis during their three-round Jan. 17 bout in Boston, and the result was a much-needed decision win for the former Bellator champion. After stumbling in his UFC debut against Donald Cerrone, Alvarez has won back-to-back nods against Pettis and Gilbert Melendez, albeit by slim margins.4. Anthony Pettis (18-4)
In his first fight since losing the UFC lightweight title to Rafael dos Anjos, “Showtime” was once again suffocated by aggressive grappling, this time at the hands of Eddie Alvarez. Pettis’ split decision loss to Alvarez on Jan. 17 marked the first time the Milwaukee native has dropped back-to-back bouts in his nine-year career. The Duke Roufus understudy will be back in the cage at UFC 197 in April, when he slings leather with Edson Barboza.5. Tony Ferguson (20-3)
Over the course of two years and seven straight victories, Ferguson has become one of the hottest commodities in the UFC’s famously deep lightweight division. The former “Ultimate Fighter” winner’s latest conquest came at “The Ultimate Fighter 22” Finale, where he tapped Edson Barboza with a second-round brabo choke in the show’s thrilling “Fight of the Night.” Ferguson has been penciled in for an April 16 clash with returning contender Khabib Nurmagomedov.6. Will Brooks (16-1)
Brooks maintained his spot atop the Bellator MMA lightweight division by defending his title with a five-round unanimous decision over Polish submission wiz Marcin Held on Nov. 6. The 29-year-old American Top Team fighter’s record includes wins over veteran names like John Alessio and Satoru Kitaoka, as well as a pair of victories against ex-titlist Michael Chandler.7. Beneil Dariush (12-1)
Dariush got his fifth win in 12 months when he nabbed a close and controversial split decision from Michael Johnson on Aug. 8 in Nashville. Though his takedowns were stuffed throughout the 15-minute affair, the Kings MMA product kept busy with leg kicks and came on strong in the final frame to earn the nod from two of the three judges. Dariush’s current hot streak also includes victories against Jim Miller and Daron Cruickshank. A matchup with “The Ultimate Fighter” winner Michael Chiesa awaits on April 16.8. Al Iaquinta (12-3-1)
Iaquinta snatched a highly controversial split decision from Jorge Masvidal in their April encounter, but his previous three wins -- technical knockouts of Joe Lauzon, Ross Pearson and Rodrigo Damm -- were unquestionable. The New Yorker was slated to compete on July 15 in San Diego, but an injury to Bobby Green and a failed drug test from Gilbert Melendez left Iaquinta without an opponent. Iaquinta has since undergone knee surgery and will be out of commission until the middle of 2016.9. Edson Barboza (16-4)
Barboza fought tooth-and-nail with Tony Ferguson for nearly eight minutes before succumbing to a second-round brabo choke from “El Cucuy.” The setback leaves Barboza with a 1-2 record in 2015, with a decision win over Paul Felder sandwiched between losses to Ferguson and Michael Johnson. The former Ring of Combat champion has been booked opposite Anthony Pettis at UFC 197 on April 23.10. Justin Gaethje (16-0)
World Series of Fighting’s undisputed lightweight king made quick work of Brian Foster in their March 12 title bout, chopping down the former UFC fighter with leg kicks in under two minutes. Gaethje is now 9-0 inside the WSOF cage and has finished all but one of those bouts via knockout.Other Contenders: Nate Diaz, Evan Dunham, Michael Johnson, Rustam Khabilov, Adriano Martins.
Continue Reading » Featherweight