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. Pettis’ next defense will come against Rafael dos Anjos, a winner in eight of his last nine, at UFC 185 on March 14.2. 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 out his adversary through takedowns, clinches and ground-and-pound. The surging Dagestani has won six straight bouts inside the Octagon and, after a 13-month layoff due to knee surgery, will attempt to cement his place as the No. 1 contender when he faces Donald Cerrone at UFC 187.3. Rafael dos Anjos (23-7)
In one of his finest showings to date, dos Anjos picked apart and dominated Nate Diaz on the feet and the floor en route to a unanimous decision in their Dec. 13 encounter. Since his April loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, dos Anjos has reeled off three straight wins, allowing him to leapfrog the Russian for a crack at Anthony Pettis’ belt at UFC 185 on March 14.4. Donald Cerrone (27-6, 1 NC)
Making a ridiculously short turnaround even by his active standards, Cerrone filled in for Eddie Alvarez and took on former WEC rival Benson Henderson on Jan. 18 in Boston. Unlike his bout with Myles Jury two weeks prior, “Cowboy” was unable to establish any consistent offense across three tentative and often frustrating rounds with Henderson. Nonetheless, Cerrone captured a controversial decision, pushing his winning streak to seven and keeping his title hopes alive. The busiest man in the lightweight division will return on May 23, when he faces Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 187 in what could be a title eliminator.5. 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 tapped out to a second-round guillotine choke. The Skrap Pack leader will take part in the co-main event of UFC 188 in Mexico City, where he will tangle with ex-Bellator MMA champ Eddie Alvarez.6. Benson Henderson (22-5)
Less than one month removed from his controversial decision loss to Donald Cerrone, the former UFC and WEC lightweight champion made a short-notice move up to 170 pounds to take on Brandon Thatch. “Smooth” overcame a five-inch height disparity and utilized his speed advantage on the feet before taking Thatch to the ground and securing a fourth-round rear-naked choke. It remains to be seen whether Henderson will hang around at welterweight or return to 155 for his next bout.7. 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. At UFC 188, Alvarez will take on Gilbert Melendez in a long-discussed showdown of former champions.8. 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. “Ill Will” is set to put his newly unified belt on the line against 2013 tournament winner Dave Jansen at Bellator 136 on April 10.9. Michael Johnson (16-8)
Toiling in the UFC’s most competitive division since 2010, Johnson has finally broken away from the pack with a four-fight winning streak against quality opposition. The onetime “Ultimate Fighter” finalist put together his most impressive showing to date in a Feb. 22 unanimous decision over Edson Barboza, adding the dangerous Brazilian’s name to a record which includes wins over Tony Ferguson, Gleison Tibau and Joe Lauzon.10. Tony Ferguson (18-3)
Ferguson put on an impressive showing at UFC 184, roughing up Gleison Tibau on the feet before becoming the first man since 2008 to submit the durable veteran. “El Cucuy” has emerged victorious from eight of his nine Octagon appearances, with his only setback coming against the man ranked directly above him, Michael Johnson.Other Contenders: Bobby Green, Al Iaquinta, Myles Jury, Adriano Martins, Jorge Masvidal.
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