Featherweight
1. Jose Aldo (25-1)
Aldo maintained his stranglehold on the 145-pound division with a gritty, five-round unanimous decision against old rival Chad Mendes in the main event of UFC 179. “Scarface” persevered through knockdowns and takedowns, using superior technical striking down the stretch to earn his 18th consecutive victory. Still the first and only UFC featherweight champion, Aldo has now defended his title seven straight times against the likes of Mendes (twice), Frankie Edgar and Kenny Florian. He is expected to face Conor McGregor at UFC 189 on July 11.2. Chad Mendes (16-2)
Mendes’ second encounter with Jose Aldo lasted a good deal longer than his first -- a full four rounds longer, in fact, during which the Team Alpha Male product showed off his much-improved striking and even put the featherweight king in rare levels of danger. In the end, Mendes could not overcome Aldo and fell via unanimous decision, but even in defeat, “Money” undoubtedly raised his stock. Up next for Mendes is a headlining bout against Ricardo Lamas on an April 4 UFC Fight Night card in Fairfax, Va.3. Frankie Edgar (18-4-1)
Edgar was simply brilliant in a dominating Nov. 22 performance against Cub Swanson, turning what most expected to be a competitive matchup into a lopsided, ground-and-pound beating. The former lightweight champion never took his foot off the gas, finishing Swanson via neck crank with only four seconds remaining in the fifth round. The victory was Edgar’s third straight at 145 pounds since losing a title bid against Jose Aldo. He will return to the cage on May 16, when he headlines a UFC Fight Night event against Urijah Faber in the Philippines.4. Ricardo Lamas (15-3)
Lamas looked a cut above Dennis Bermudez in their main-card showdown at UFC 180, as “The Bully” used a jab to put Bermudez on the ground before pouncing to finish with a guillotine choke in the opening round. Now two fights removed from his lackluster decision loss to Jose Aldo, Lamas remains in the title picture thanks to wins over Bermudez and Hacran Dias. The Chicago native will appear in his first UFC main event when he takes on Chad Mendes on April 4.5. Cub Swanson (21-6)
Just when Swanson’s long-desired rematch with Jose Aldo appeared to be within reach, Frankie Edgar came along and dominated the Jackson-Wink MMA fighter for the better part of 25 minutes before securing a fifth-round submission. The Nov. 22 defeat snapped an impressive six-fight winning streak which saw Swanson knock out the likes of Dennis Siver, Ross Pearson and Charles Oliveira. Swanson will look to play spoiler to young Max Holloway when the two meet on April 18 in New Jersey.6. Conor McGregor (17-2)
In less than two years, McGregor has run up a 5-0 record inside the Octagon while becoming the UFC’s most talked-about new fighter. The “Notorious” Irishman’s latest conquest was Dennis Siver, who fell to second-round punches in their Jan. 18 headlining attraction. McGregor has already begun a war of words with his next opponent, featherweight king Jose Aldo, with the pair penciled in to meet on July 11 in Las Vegas.7. Dennis Bermudez (14-4)
After racking up seven straight wins against the likes of Clay Guida and Max Holloway, Bermudez saw his streak snapped at UFC 180. Former title challenger Ricardo Lamas proved too much for the New York native, as “The Bully” dropped Bermudez with a stiff jab and finished the fight with a first-round guillotine choke.8. Patricio Freire (23-2)
Freire’s newly won Bellator title looked to be in jeopardy as “Pitbull” struggled in the early frames of his rematch with Daniel Straus on Jan. 16. However, the champion overcame low blows and eye pokes to battle back and force Straus to submit via fourth-round rear-naked choke. Freire has won six in a row, including four finishes, en route to becoming the top 145-pounder operating outside of the UFC.9. Nik Lentz (25-6-2, 1 NC)
After a hiccup against No. 1 contender Chad Mendes, Lentz returned to his winning ways at UFC Fight Night “Brown vs. Silva,” taking a unanimous verdict over Manny Gamburyan in Cincinnati. “The Carny” battered Gamburyan against the fence and landed several takedowns to clinch his fourth win in five featherweight outings. Lentz has not competed since May, as multiple fights have fallen through for the American Top Team export.10. Max Holloway (12-3)
Holloway’s striking carried him to a unanimous decision over durable veteran Cole Miller on Feb. 14, though a few inadvertent headbutts to Miller’s left eye helped set up a big third round for the Hawaiian. Since losing to current title contender Conor McGregor, the “Blessed” 23-year-old has reeled off five straight wins, four of them finishes. Holloway will take a significant step up when he takes on Cub Swanson at UFC on Fox 15 in April.Other Contenders: Hacran Dias, Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, Jeremy Stephens, Daniel Weichel.
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