Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Lightweight
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) [1]
Maybe 30-0 won’t become a reality, but Nurmagomedov put about a perfect a stamp as one could on his mixed martial arts career with a second-round submission of Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner on Oct. 24. “The Eagle” withstood some heavy artillery from his opponent — including some powerful low kicks — while continuing to apply constant pressure. Eventually, Gaethje wilted on the canvas, as Nurmagomedov choked him unconscious at the 1:34 mark of Round 2. In the aftermath, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement, leaving behind a legacy that includes a 13-0 UFC mark and a record-tying four championship victories in the brutal lightweight division. However, Nurmagomedov’s belt has not been vacated, as the promotion appears convinced that “The Eagle” will compete once more.2. Dustin Poirier (26-6, 1 NC) [2]
Coming off a disappointing loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a 155-pound title bout at UFC 242 last September, Poirier displayed his championship mettle against Dan Hooker in the UFC on ESPN 12 main event. “The Diamond” dropped the first two rounds to his Kiwi opponent before picking up the pace down the stretch to earn a thoroughly entertaining unanimous decision at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Poirier has won five of his last six Octagon appearances and remains a dangerous force at the top of the division. The American Top Team product will next get a high-profile shot at revenge in a rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 257 on Jan. 23.3. Justin Gaethje (22-3) [3]
Gaethje attacked as best he could against Khabib Nurmagomedov, but he was no match for “The Eagle” on the ground. Although the former World Series of Fighting title holder had some success on the feet, particularly with low kicks, the grappling exchanges were another matter entirely, as Gaethje fell victim to a triangle choke 1:34 into Round 2 of the UFC 254 headliner at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24. Gaethje had a four-bout winning streak snapped in defeat.4. Tony Ferguson (25-4) [4]
It had been a long time since Ferguson had tasted defeat in the Octagon, but Justin Gaethje made “El Cucuy” look average in the UFC 249 headliner. Ferguson was battered for the majority of five rounds before one final Gaethje jab brought a halt to the contest at the 3:39 mark of the final frame to claim the interim lightweight belt. Not only did the Californian’s 12-bout winning streak come to an end, but the loss might have closed the book on the long-running Ferguson-Khabib Nurmagomedov saga, a fight that was canceled on five different occasions. Ferguson will attempt to get back on track when he faces submission ace Charles Oliveira at UFC 256.5. Charles Oliveira (29-8, 1 NC) [5]
Oliveira can no longer be ignored as a serious threat in the UFC’s lightweight division. “Do Bronx” earned his seventh consecutive victory – and finish – at UFC Fight Night 170, as he submitted former interim title challenger Kevin Lee with a guillotine choke in the third round of the evening’s main event. A proposed clash with Beneil Dariush at UFC on ESPN 16 fizzled when Dariush was forced to withdraw from the bout, but the promotion’s all-time submission leader will get a higher-profile matchup when he meets Tony Ferguson at UFC 256.6. Dan Hooker (20-9) [6]
Hooker took it to Dustin Poirier for the opening 10 minutes of the UFC on ESPN 12 main event, attacking with a multi-faceted arsenal that had the former interim champion reeling near the end of Round 2. While Poirier ultimately survived, Hooker faded down the stretch to lose a unanimous decision in a contest that will wind up on more than a few “Fight of the Year” lists. Hooker, who had designs on challenging for lightweight gold, had a three-bout winning streak snapped in defeat.7. Rafael dos Anjos (30-13) [7]
In his first lightweight bout in more than four years, dos Anjos showed that he’s ready to contend at 155 pounds again when he dispatched Paul Felder in the UFC Fight Night 182 headliner on Nov. 14. The 36-year-old Brazilian was coming off a stint at 170 pounds in which he had lost four of his previous five Octagon appearances, but it appears that he is ready to make another run at championship gold in the division he once ruled.8. Kevin Lee (18-6) [8]
Not only did Lee miss weight ahead of his UFC Fight Night 170 headlining bout against Charles Oliveira, but he faltered in the Octagon as well, falling to “Do Bronx” via third-round submission in Brasilia, Brasil. “The Motown Phenom” appeared to be revitalized after a head kick knockout of Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244, but there is no ignoring the fact that the interim title challenger has dropped three of his last four promotional appearances.9. Paul Felder (17-6) [9]
When Felder accepted a short-notice assignment against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 182, his primary form of training had been running and biking in preparation for a triathlon. Despite the lack of an MMA-focused camp, Felder went five hard rounds with the ex-champ, ultimately losing a split decision when his wrestling and grappling couldn’t match Dos Anjos. While “The Irish Dragon” contemplated retirement early in 2020 following a loss to Dan Hooker, he confirmed his commitment to moving forward with his fighting career in the aftermath of his most recent defeat.10. Donald Cerrone (36-15-1) [10]
Cerrone battled Niko Price to a majority draw in the UFC Fight Night 178 co-main event on Sept. 19, but “Cowboy” was far from pleased with his performance, saying it felt like his fifth consecutive defeat inside the Octagon. Though the record book indicates differently, the BMF Ranch founder is nonetheless winless in his last five promotional appearances and hasn’t tasted victory since besting Al Iaquinta in May 2019. While UFC president Dana White wants to have a conversation with Cerrone about retirement, the popular veteran has vowed to soldier onward after a few months off.Other Contenders: Edson Barboza, Gregor Gillespie, Al Iaquinta, Islam Makhachev, Beneil Dariush.
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