Featherweight
1. Conor McGregor (20-3)
It was not a featherweight achievement and it was not akin to dropping Jose Aldo for the title in 13 seconds, but after being humiliated by Nate Diaz at UFC 196 in March, McGregor returned to 170 pounds at UFC 202 and responded in style, earning a majority decision over the Stockton, California, native in a classic contest. McGregor now desires contendership at 155 pounds again, while UFC President Dana White remains adamant that “The Notorious” one will either need to defend his featherweight title or vacate the strap.2. Jose Aldo (26-2)
Even though he is still only 30 years old, after a 12-year pro career and six years of ruling the 145-pound division with an iron fist, Aldo’s shocking 13-second knockout loss to Conor McGregor in December seemed like it may forecast a downturn for “Scarface.” Instead, Aldo returned at UFC 200 as a slight underdog against a surging Frankie Edgar and replicated his February 2013 unanimous decision over “The Answer” with a masterful counterpunching performance. Now the interim UFC featherweight champion, Aldo will hope for another rematch his next time out, this time with McGregor.3. Frankie Edgar (20-5-1)
Edgar’s five-fight winning streak at 145 pounds was incredible and led to his entering a UFC 200 rematch with Jose Aldo as a slight favorite. Unfortunately, Aldo had the number of “The Answer” once more, brilliantly shutting down Edgar’s takedowns, hitting him with heavy counterpunches and winning another unanimous decision. Edgar remains one of the best fighters in the game, but with a pair of losses to Aldo, he may end up finally testing the waters at 135 pounds after several years of teasing the idea.4. Max Holloway (16-3)
Holloway made it nine wins in a row by picking apart Ricardo Lamas and taking a lopsided unanimous decision in their UFC 199 encounter. Only 24 and already entering his fifth year as a UFC fighter, Holloway is undoubtedly in the running for a featherweight title shot; however, with the current mess atop the 145-pound division, exactly when that shot could materialize is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, Holloway said he is open to notching his 10th straight victory, preferably in his home state of Hawaii.5. Cub Swanson (23-7)
It took him five minutes to get going at the UFC Fight Night card in Salt Lake City on Aug. 6, but Swanson pulled off a unanimous decision win in an entertaining fight against Japanese veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri. After back-to-back losses to Frankie Edgar and Max Holloway snapped his hot streak, the 32-year-old Swanson has bounced back nicely with quality wins over Kawajiri and difficult Brazilian grappler Hacran Dias.6. Anthony Pettis (19-5)
After dropping his UFC lightweight title to Rafael dos Anjos amidst a three-fight losing streak, there were major questions about how Pettis would fare in his first 145-pound bout in the UFC, especially against Charles Oliveira. Despite dealing with some tricky spots and having his back taken more than once, Pettis thwarted the Brazilian's submission attack, crushing him to the body early before choking him out in the third round. Even with a successful divisional debut, there are still legitimate questions as to how “Showtime” will do against the upper crust of the 145-pound division.7. Charles Oliveira (21-6, 1 NC)
Over the last five years, Oliveira has established himself as an elite featherweight and one of the most dangerous, dazzling submission artists in the entire sport. However, at UFC on Fox 21 on Aug. 27, Oliveira had his bright spots over the first 11 minutes in the Octagon before eventually succumbing to a guillotine choke from former UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis, losing his second fight in his last three outings.8. Ricardo Lamas (16-5)
Lamas has put together a 6-3 record in the Octagon, with his only losses coming to elite talents: Max Holloway, Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo in his UFC title challenge. However, despite being a consistent, elite featherweight, Lamas has not gotten much of the spotlight. That may change for “The Bully” on Oct. 15, when he headlines a UFC Fight Night card against returning MMA legend B.J. Penn in the Philippines.9. Jeremy Stephens (25-12)
Way back in November 2008, Stephens famously knocked out future UFC lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos with a brutal uppercut. Fast forward almost eight years, and “Lil Heathen” can say he has properly beaten another former UFC champion. Onetime bantamweight king Renan Barao moved up to 145 pounds for their May 29 encounter, only to be thwarted by Stephens’ defensive wrestling and power punching over 15 minutes, giving the Iowa native perhaps the biggest win of his career.10. Hacran Dias (23-4-1)
In six UFC fights, Dias has been done no favors by UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby, having already met the likes of Nik Lentz, Ricardo Lamas, Darren Elkins and Cub Swanson during his UFC tenure. Dias was slated to meet dynamic, unbeaten prospect Brian Ortega in Portland, Oregon, but an Ortega injury forced “T-City” from the contest. Dias will now meet Andre Fili in the Octagon on Oct. 1 instead.Other Contenders: Dennis Bermudez, Doo Ho Choi, Darren Elkins, Patricio Freire, Daniel Straus
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