Lightweight
1. Anthony Pettis (18-2)
Returning from a 15-month layoff at UFC 181, “Showtime” looked every bit the top lightweight in MMA, as he tagged Gilbert Melendez with second-round strikes before slapping on a fight-ending guillotine choke. Pettis’ current five-fight winning streak -- which includes submissions of Melendez and Benson Henderson and knockouts of Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon -- is one of the finest runs in 155-pound history.2. Gilbert Melendez (22-4)
The former Strikeforce lightweight ace started strong at UFC 181, but “El Nino” quickly found out what many have before him: Anthony Pettis is a hard man to beat. Melendez dropped to 1-2 in the Octagon and failed in his bid for UFC gold as he succumbed to a second-round guillotine choke.3. Khabib Nurmagomedov (22-0)
Nurmagomedov continues to look like the next big thing in the UFC’s lightweight division. “The Eagle” dismantled fellow contender Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 11, grinding down his adversary through takedowns, clinches and ground-and-pound. The surging Dagestani has won six straight bouts inside the Octagon. However, a knee injury forced the 26-year-old to withdraw from a match with Donald Cerrone the same day bout agreements were signed.4. Rafael dos Anjos (22-7)
Dos Anjos formally announced himself as a major threat in the UFC lightweight division on Aug. 23, when he exploited ex-champ Benson Henderson’s defensive holes to score a first-round knockout. With wins in seven of his last eight outings, dos Anjos figures to be closing in on title contention -- a notion he will have the chance to affirm with a win against Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 13 on Dec. 13.5. Donald Cerrone (25-6, 1 NC)
The “Cowboy” wrangled himself yet another quality lightweight at UFC 178, this time spoiling the debut of former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez. Cerrone rode out a punishing first round and dragged his opponent into deep waters, where he gradually picked apart Alvarez with low kicks and body blows. In the end, Cerrone was unable to secure a fifth straight stoppage win, but his unanimous decision victory over one of the division’s best was just as impressive. Unbeaten Myles Jury will be the next man to try and halt Cerrone’s momentum, as the two have been paired for a Jan. 3 meeting at UFC 182.6. Benson Henderson (21-4)
A former UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting champ, “Bendo” suffered the first knockout loss of his 25-fight pro career at the hands of surging Brazilian Rafael dos Anjos on Aug. 23 in Tulsa, Okla. A left hook to the jaw ended Henderson’s night, along with his immediate hopes for title contention after back-to-back wins against Josh Thomson and Rustam Khabilov. Henderson will continue to meet top-tier talent when he takes on former Bellator ace Eddie Alvarez in January.7. Nate Diaz (17-9)
Diaz once again demonstrated his ability to entertain by avenging a 2010 loss to Gray Maynard at “The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale. The Cesar Gracie disciple rocked Maynard with a left and kept “The Bully” on his heels with a flurry of accurate punches to earn a stoppage 2:38 into round one. Diaz made headlines for a rant regarding his current contract with the UFC, but he eventually came to terms with the organization and will go up against Rafael dos Anjos on Dec. 13.8. Eddie Alvarez (25-4)
The grit and technical capabilities that made Alvarez a hot commodity during his Bellator run were on full display at UFC 178. Unfortunately for the Philadelphian, he was up against one of the lightweight division’s toughest outs in Donald Cerrone, who spoiled Alvarez’s long-awaited Octagon debut and earned a unanimous decision by way of punishing leg kicks and body work. Alvarez will again go in search of his first UFC win when he meets former champ Benson Henderson on Jan. 18 in Boston.9. Will Brooks (15-1)
After taking a narrow and controversial split decision from Michael Chandler in their first meeting, Brooks made sure to put an exclamation point on the rematch. The once-beaten American Top Team product became Bellator MMA’s undisputed lightweight champion and the first man to stop Chandler by punching his way to a fourth-round stoppage on Nov. 15.10. Edson Barboza (15-2)
Barboza used his trademark leg kicks and long, accurate punches to shut down the surging Bobby Green and earn a unanimous decision in the Nov. 22 co-main event of a UFC Fight Night offering in Austin, Texas. Over the past two years, the Brazilian muay Thai stylist has won five of his six outings, including three victories by way of technical knockout.Other Contenders: Bobby Green, Myles Jury, Rustam Khabilov, Jorge Masvidal, Josh Thomson.
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