Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Lightweight

1. Conor McGregor (21-3)

It may be a brand new year, but do not expect McGregor’s self-promotional tactics to change much. Following the events of UFC 219, “The Notorious” one took to social media to denounce would-be challenger Khabib Nurmagomedov’s domination of Edson Barboza as “dogs---” and complain about the UFC needing to pay him what he is worth. A new year is not always a new day, folks.

2. Tony Ferguson (23-3)

Behind his breathtaking 10-fight winning streak in the supremely competitive, talented lightweight division, Ferguson is one of the 10 best fighters in the game. However, even with his UFC interim lightweight title now in tow, he still seems to fly under the radar. After Khabib Nurmagomedov’s blowout of Edson Barboza and the Dagestani’s social media chirping with Conor McGregor, “El Cucuy” already seems like a forgotten man again.

3. Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0)

“The Eagle” was going to need a big performance at UFC 219 to put his blown weight cut and subsequent cancelation of a showdown with Tony Ferguson in March behind him. He certainly delivered. Nurmagomedov battered fellow top-10 talent Edson Barboza from pillar-to-post for 15 minutes and, naturally, set about calling out UFC champ Conor McGregor and interim titlist Tony Ferguson immediately afterwards. Hopefully in 2018, his health -- and good fortune -- permits us such fights.

4. Eddie Alvarez (29-5, 1 NC)

Alvarez’s showdown with Justin Gaethje on Dec. 2 was given “Fight of the Year” consideration months before it even happened. When it finally went down at UFC 218 in Detroit, Alvarez prevailed in a punishing classic, as he finally toppled Gaethje in the third round, handed the former World Series of Fighting champion the first loss of his pro career and claimed one of his greatest victories in the process.

5. Edson Barboza (19-5)

It may sound bizarre to say, but despite a blowout loss on the scorecards to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 219, Barboza did not fight poorly. While the Brazilian was athletically and technically on point, he simply did not have enough to stop the indefatigable Dagestani grappler, who snapped Barboza’s three-fight winning streak in a lopsided decision.

6. Kevin Lee (16-3)

First, he had to battle the scale, and heaven only knows how he was allowed to get in the Octagon with such a gruesome staph infection. Lee made it to UFC 216, and for 10 minutes, “The Motown Phenom” gave Tony Ferguson a ton of problems. However, as his fitness slipped and Lee slowed, he saw his chance at the UFC interim lightweight title go out the window courtesy of a third-round Ferguson triangle choke. Following the defeat and the drama surrounding his prefight health, Lee is contemplating a move to 170 pounds.

7. Justin Gaethje (18-1)

Gaethje eventually succumbed to Eddie Alvarez’s strikes in the third round at UFC 218 but not before helping to author one of the best fights of 2017. The knockout loss to Alvarez marked the first defeat of Gaethje’s career, but in his first two Ultimate Fighting Championship appearances, “The Highlight” has produced two “Fight of the Year”-worthy classics.

8. Dustin Poirier (22-5, 1 NC)

Poirier may well have been bamboozled out of his biggest career win against Eddie Alvarez in May, due to the illegal knee incident that ended their contest prematurely. However, “The Diamond” fought with something to prove in his UFC Fight Night 120 headliner on Nov. 11, dominating former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis over 12 minutes of blood-soaked brawling before earning a submission victory and calling out the winner of Alvarez-Justin Gaethje. Could we really be so lucky to see Poirier-Alvarez 2?

9. Michael Chiesa (14-3)

Chiesa might have been bummed three years ago when he was unceremoniously stopped on a cut against Joe Lauzon in an exciting, competitive bout. However, after referee Mario Yamasaki completely botched the conclusion to Chiesa's bout with Kevin Lee, the disappointment must be magnified tenfold. “The Maverick” carried consecutive wins over Mitch Clarke, Jim Miller and Beneil Dariush into his June 25 bout with Lee but did not get much of a chance to extend his winning streak, as Yamasaki handed Lee the technical submission via rear-naked choke. Chiesa’s appeal to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission was denied.

10. Beneil Dariush (14-3-1)

Looking to erase the memories of his “Knockout of the Year” loss to Edson Barboza in April, Dariush came out on fire in his UFC 216 bout with Evan Dunham, nearly stopping him with vicious strikes in the first round. However, the Kings MMA product could not put away Dunham, and the American fought back to even the scores over 15 minutes, resulting in a majority draw.

Other Contenders: Nate Diaz, Evan Dunham, Al Iaquinta, Francisco Trinaldo, James Vick.

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