Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

---

Flyweight

1. Demetrious Johnson (22-2-1)

Johnson continues to reign supreme over the 125-pound division. His latest feat came at UFC 186, where the 28-year-old defended his belt for the sixth time with a trouncing of Japanese prospect Kyoji Horiguchi which ended with the latest finish in UFC history. In less than three years as champion, “Mighty Mouse” has taken out all contenders in his division, and he has done so in convincing fashion. The flyweight kingpin will headline UFC 191 on Sept. 5, when he puts his title on the line in a rematch with John Dodson.

2. Joseph Benavidez (22-4)

Team Alpha Male’s stud flyweight continues to top all 125-pounders not named Demetrious Johnson. At UFC 187, Benavidez used heavy top control and ground-and-pound to earn a unanimous decision over fellow former title challenger John Moraga. Benavidez is 7-2 since moving to the flyweight division but remains in a tough spot due to his pair of losses to reigning champ Johnson.

3. John Dodson (17-6)

It was not a flashy showing, but “The Magician” got the job done in his return from a nearly year-long layoff at UFC 187, edging out Zach Makovsky across three rounds. Now on a three-fight winning streak, Dodson will attempt to dethrone the last man to beat him, 125-pound champion Demetrious Johnson, when the lightning-fast flyweights square off at UFC 191.

4. Jussier da Silva (18-3)

The former Shooto Americas titlist did just enough to outpoint countryman Wilson Reis in their May 30 meeting at UFC Fight Night in Goiania, Brazil. Since being punched out in two of his first three Octagon appearances, the 30-year-old “Formiga” has strung together a three-fight winning streak, including an August victory against former Bellator ace Zach Makovsky.

5. Ian McCall (13-5-1)

McCall got off to a strong start in his rescheduled bout with John Lineker at UFC 183, but the Brazilian turned up the heat in rounds two and three, eventually taking a unanimous decision over “Uncle Creepy.” While the loss stopped any immediate thought of McCall earning a third bout with Demetrious Johnson, it did not impact the 31-year-old’s ranking due to Lineker weighing in at 130 pounds. McCall was slated to rematch Dustin Ortiz on Aug. 8 but withdrew from the matchup with an injury.

6. Zach Makovsky (19-6)

Makovsky’s left hand found its target throughout his UFC 187 meeting with John Dodson, but the former Bellator champion failed to do enough to earn the judges’ nod. Since a hot 2-0 start to his Octagon run, “Fun Size” has dropped two of his last three, with all five of his UFC bouts going to the scorecards.

7. John Moraga (16-4)

Despite finding some success on the feet at UFC 187, Moraga was ultimately overwhelmed by the takedowns and ground-and-pound of Joseph Benavidez, who pocketed a unanimous decision after three rounds. “Chicano John” continues to be a tough out for most flyweights but has come up short against the division’s elite during his 5-3 Octagon run.

8. Kyoji Horiguchi (15-2)

Horiguchi looked sensational in his first four Octagon appearances but had little to offer champ Demetrious Johnson, who repeatedly took down the Japanese import at UFC 186 before winning via last-second armbar. The loss snapped a nine-fight winning streak for the 24-year-old student of Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto and marked the first time Horiguchi has been finished in 17 pro bouts. Horiguchi is expected to return in September, when the UFC visits Saitama, Japan.

9. Henry Cejudo (9-0)

Although it was far from his impressive display against Chris Cariaso three months prior, Cejudo prevailed over Chico Camus with a unanimous decision at UFC 188. The Olympic wrestling gold medalist has now successfully made weight for and won two consecutive flyweight bouts, though Cejudo admitted after the Camus fight that he is not yet ready for title shot.

10. John Lineker (25-7)

Lineker put on a strong performance against Ian McCall at UFC 183, mixing submission attempts with his trademark power punches to earn a unanimous decision. The win was bittersweet, however, as “Hands of Stone” missed weight for the fourth time in eight Octagon appearances. Forced to move to bantamweight, Lineker will take on Francisco Rivera at UFC 191 on Sept. 5.

Other Contenders: Ray Borg, Adriano Moraes, Yuki Motoya, Dustin Ortiz, Wilson Reis.

Continue Reading » Women’s Bantamweight