Lightweight
1. Eddie Alvarez (28-4)
Alvarez blossomed from a welterweight prospect to an elite lightweight over eight years ago. In that period, he went from Dream to Bellator MMA in search of the biggest money at any given time before entering the UFC, and when he did, he found himself outmatched by Donald Cerrone over three rounds. However, lightweight remains the most talented, volatile division in the sport. Back-to-back wins over Gilbert Melendez and Anthony Pettis earned Alvarez a title shot, and when he got it, the Philadelphia native went to town on Rafael dos Anjos, ripping the Brazilian with devastating standing punches in under four minutes to take the UFC lightweight crown.2. Rafael dos Anjos (25-8)
Dos Anjos’ five-fight winning streak at 155 pounds ranks among the finest runs in MMA history, as he rose above the best incarnations of Benson Henderson, Nate Diaz, Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone with one-sided ease. However, it did not matter that he was one of MMA’s most accomplished fighters over the last two years. In his second title defense, dos Anjos could not overcome the quick and potent punching of Eddie Alvarez, who stormed the Brazilian on the feet and snatched his title in less than four minutes.3. Donald Cerrone (29-7, 1 NC)
Due to his any-opponent, anytime, any-weight-class philosophy, Sherdog has decided to rank Donald Cerrone potentially in two weight classes for the time being. However, with dominant wins over Alex Oliveira and Patrick Cote in his last two fights, Cerrone is now scheduled to meet up with welterweight fringe contender Rick Story at UFC 202 on Aug. 20 -- a third straight welterweight contest which could spell Cerrone's long-term place in the 170-pound division.4. Khabib Nurmagomedov (23-0)
Nurmagomedov on April 16 returned from a two-year hiatus and looked as though he had never left, slamming and pummeling late replacement Darrell Horcher for a second-round stoppage in what amounted to a tune-up bout. Now a perfect 7-0 in his UFC campaign, Nurmagomedov is looking to jump in line to get the first crack at brand new UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.5. Tony Ferguson (21-3)
Ferguson was understandably let down when his slated UFC Fight Night headliner with Michael Chiesa on July 13 fell apart, but the situation did not exactly get easier for “El Cucuy” despite the injury. In Chiesa’s stead, Ferguson met little-known unbeaten Lando Vannata in his late-notice UFC debut. Vannata then terrorized Ferguson for much of the opening round, nearly finishing him with punches before “El Cucuy” rebounded to tap him in the second. It was a close call but represents another impressive stoppage win for Ferguson, who is now 14-1 in his last 15 fights. That includes eight straight wins with six finishes in the UFC’s sensational lightweight division.6. Edson Barboza (18-4)
Many wondered if Barboza would ever find the consistency necessary to become a UFC lightweight title contender. It looks like the Brazilian may have found it. Barboza has dominated former UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis and returning former title challenger Gilbert Melendez in 2016, cruising to one-sided victories behind his vaunted leg kicks. However, in a division as good as 155 pounds, Barboza will have to continue his winning streak, not just to sniff a title shot but to prove that another speedbump is not around the corner.7. Anthony Pettis (18-5)
After establishing himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Pettis took three straight losses to Rafael dos Anjos, Eddie Alvarez and perennial fringe contender Edson Barboza. Surprisingly, “Showtime” has opted to drop a weight class to get a new lease on life: Pettis will take on Charlies Oliveira in his featherweight debut at UFC on Fox 21 on Aug. 27.8. Will Brooks (17-1)
Despite holding the Bellator MMA lightweight title, it was clear when his promotional contract was up that Brooks would be testing the waters of free agency. The minute he was free to do so, he signed a deal with the UFC and walked into a July 8 date with Ross Pearson. Brooks prevailed with unanimous 29-28 scorecards, and even if he did not set the world on fire, he planted his flag in the division and now has the opportunity to fight the best lightweights in the world.9. Michael Chiesa (14-2)
Chiesa’s path to a UFC lightweight title shot figured to run through top contender Tony Ferguson in their scheduled five-round showdown on July 13. Unfortunately, Chiesa was forced out of the fight with a back injury and replaced by Lando Vannata, as the Washingtonian waits to heal and expand on his three-fight winning streak in the ultra-difficult UFC lightweight division.10. Beneil Dariush (13-2)
Less than two months after having a five-fight winning streak snapped by Michael Chiesa, Dariush righted his course by blasting through James Vick at UFC 199. The Kings MMA product sustained multiple eye pokes, but the fouls seemed only to antagonize Dariush, who upped his aggression late in the first round and punched Vick out cold.Other Contenders: Nate Diaz, Evan Dunham, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Francisco Trinaldo
Continue Reading » Featherweight