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411’s MMA Rankings 02.09.16: Lightweight Division

February 9, 2016 | Posted by Jonathan Solomon

A lot can change in a small amount of time. As far as the lightweight division is concerned, it’s been turned on its head due to a number of different factors. Less than three years ago, the top ten lightweights (as far as we were concerned) were littered with guys who are out of the picture now: Benson Henderson (moved to welterweight), Gilbert Melendez (failed drug test), Josh Thomson (choosing not to retire, competing in Bellator), Gray Maynard (retired), Jim Miller (1-3 in last four fights) and Bam Bam Healy (competing for regional Titan FC).

Below, the new faces of this division are kicking ass and literally taking on all challengers whether they’re from other divisions or promotions. Champion Rafael dos Anjos has a big test in the form of Conor McGregor staring him in the face next month. The winner of that fight should then expect to look at either Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson or Eddie Alvarez and there’s Anthony Pettis who is only a pair of wins away from getting an opportunity to become UFC champion again.



411’s MMA Ranking Rules

Which fighters are eligible for these rankings? They must meet the following qualifications: fight at least once in the past 365 days or if they have not, be officially scheduled for an upcoming fight.

– A fighter serving a disciplinary suspension will not be ranked. They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded. This includes fighters who may disregard their suspension locally to fight overseas.

– If a fighter appears on just one single ballot, and in the top ten, five points will be deducted to balance between other fighters who may be ranked lower, but appear on a greater amount of ballots.

– Want to complain about a fighter’s ranking in the comments section? Sound off below in the comments section and tell us we’re Einsteins or fools.


411’s Official MMA Rankings

Lightweight Division (155 lbs)


1) Rafael dos Anjos (24-7)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: October 26, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 – December 19, 2015

– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos – March 14, 2015

– vs. Nate Diaz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic – December 13, 2014

– vs. Benson Henderson – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos – August 23, 2014

– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne – April 19, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Conor McGregor – UFC 197: dos Anjos vs. McGregor – March 5, 2016

Comment:



2) Khabib Nurmagomedov (22-0)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: September 20, 1988

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne – April 19, 2014

– vs. Pat Healy – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson – September 21, 2013

– vs. Abel Trujillo – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2 – May 25, 2013

– vs. Thiago Tavares – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on FX: Bisping vs. Belfort – January 19, 2013

– vs. Gleison Tibau – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen 2 – July 7, 2012

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Tony Ferguson – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016

Comment: Khabib was scheduled to fight Ferguson in December, but his health pushed that back. Now, Khabib is two months away from returning for the first time in two years. Undefeated and more than deserving of a title fight, a win may be enough to push him into a main event spot this summer. Can you imagine the hype for a McGregor/Nurmagomedov fight, or rather all the trash talk?



3) Eddie Alvarez (27-4)

Birthday: November 11, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – January 17, 2016

– vs. Gilbert Melendez – Win via decision (split) – UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum – June 13, 2015

– vs. Donald Cerrone – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 178: Alvarez vs. Cerrone – September 27, 2014

– vs. Michael Chandler – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 106 – November 2, 2013

– vs. Patricky Freire – Win via KO (head kick) – Bellator 75 – October 12, 2012

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Alvarez may have debuted in the UFC in 2014 with a loss, but he more than made up for it since then with the biggest wins of his career over Gilbert Melendez and Anthony Pettis. Unfortunately for him, he’ll have to be patient before he gets a shot at the UFC gold thanks to Conor McGregor’s presence in this picture. Whether he’ll need another win, or if he should immediately get the RDA/McGregor winner later this year, remains to be seen.



4) Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (20-3)

Height: 5’11

Birthday: February 12, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Edson Barboza – Win via submission (Brabo choke) – UFC TUF 22 Finale – December 11, 2015

– vs. Josh Thomson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 15, 2015

– vs. Gleison Tibau – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano – February 28, 2015

– vs. Abel Trujillo – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 181 – December 6, 2014

– vs. Danny Castillo – Win via decision (split) – UFC 177 – August 30, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016



5) “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (18-4)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: January 27, 1987

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Eddie Alvarez – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – January 17, 2016

– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos – March 14, 2015

– vs. Gilbert Melendez – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler 2 – December 6, 2014

– vs. Benson Henderson – Win via submission (armbar) – UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis 2 – August 31, 2013

– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (liver kick) – UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson – January 26, 2013

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Pettis is on a losing streak for the first time in his career, dropping decisions to both dos Anjos and Alvarez. After he lost to Clay Guida in 2011, it took him three wins before he earned a UFC title fight, so it looks like the remainder of the year will have to be his proving ground if he’s to return to the championship mix.



6) “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (28-7, 1 NC)

Height: 6′

Birthday: March 29, 2983

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 – December 19, 2015

– vs. John Makdessi – Win via TKO (head kick) – UFC 187 – May 23, 2015

– vs. Benson Henderson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver – January 18, 2015

– vs. Myles Jury – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier – January 3, 2015

– vs. Eddie Alvarez – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 178: Alvarez vs. Cerrone – September 27, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Alex Oliveira – UFC Fight Night – February 21, 2016

Comment: Cerrone will move up to welterweight for his next fight, in under two weeks, where he’ll take on Brazilian Alex Oliveira (who is also nicknamed “Cowboy”). Oliveira has bounced between both weight classes in his UFC career (3-1, all last year).



7) Beneil Dariush (12-1)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: May 6, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Michael Johnson – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2015

– vs. Jim Miller – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold – April 18, 2015

– vs. Daron Cruickshank – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 185 – March 14, 2015

– vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 179 – October 25, 2014

– vs. Tony Martin – Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) – UFC Fight Night – August 23, 2014

– vs. Ramsey Nijem – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson – April 11, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Michael Chiesa – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016



8) Dustin Poirier (19-4)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: January 19, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Joseph Duffy – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 195 – January 2, 2016

– vs. Yancy Medeiros – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Boetsch – June 6, 2015

– vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira – Win via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas – April 4, 2015

– vs. Conor McGregor – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC 178 – September 27, 2014

– vs. Akira Corassani – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC TUF Nations Finale – April 16, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



9) Will Brooks (17-1)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: October 8, 1986

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Marcin Held – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 145 – November 6, 2015

– vs. Dave Jansen – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 136 – April 10, 2015

– vs. Michael Chandler – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 131: Brooks vs. Chandler 2 – November 15, 2014

– vs. Michael Chandler – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 120 – May 17, 2014

– vs. Alexander Sarnavskiy – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 109 – November 22, 2013

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Bellator champion Will Brooks was lobbying to fight Benson Henderson but that fight will have to happen in the future, if it ever comes to fruition (Bendo is competing at welterweight). The talk of Brooks being disrespected and an afterthought continues.



10) Al Iaquinta (12-3-1)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: April 30, 1987

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Jorge Masvidal – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas – April 4, 2015

– vs. Joe Lauzon – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015

– vs. Ross Pearson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping – November 8, 2014

– vs. Rodrigo Damm – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Mousasi – September 5, 2014

– vs. Mitch Clarke – Loss via technical submission (D’Arce choke) – UFC 173 – May 24, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown




11) Nate Diaz (18-10)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: April 16, 1985

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Michael Johnson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy – December 19, 2015

– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic – December 13, 2014

– vs. Gray Maynard – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC TUF 18 Finale – November 30, 2013

– vs. Josh Thomson – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez – April 20, 2013

– vs. Benson Henderson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz – December 8, 2012

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown




12) Michael Chandler (12-1)

Height: 5’8

Birthday: April 24, 1986

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. David Rickels – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 145 – November 6, 2015

– vs. Derek Campos – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 138 – June 19, 2015

– vs. Will Brooks – Loss via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 131: Brooks vs. Chandler 2 – November 15, 2014

– vs. Eddie Alvarez – Loss via decision (split) – Bellator 106 – November 2, 2013

– vs. David Rickels – Win via KO (punches) – Bellator 97 – July 31, 2013

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



13) Michael “The Menace” Johnson (16-10)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: June 4, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Nate Diaz – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 19, 2015

– vs. Beneil Dariush – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2015

– vs. Edson Barboza – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir – February 22, 2015

– vs. Melvin Guillard – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa – March 8, 2014

– vs. Gleison Tibau – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva – December 28, 2013

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown




14) Justin Gaethje (15-0)

Height: 5’11

Birthday: November 14, 1988

Currently Fighting With: World Series of Fighting

Last 6 fights:

– vs. Luis Palomino – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 23 – September 18, 2015

– vs. Luis Palomino – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 19 – March 28, 2015

– vs. Melvin Guillard – Win via decision (split) – WSOF 15 – November 15, 2014

– vs. Nick Newell – Win via TKO (punch) – WSOF 11 – July 5, 2014

– vs. Rich Patishnock – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 8 – January 18, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Brian Foster – WSOF 29 – March 12, 2016

Comment: Gaethje’s next title defense comes next month against Brian Foster (he’s 2-0 in his last two fights, winning both by TKO/KO).



15) Josh “The Punk” Thomson (22-8, 1 No Contest)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: September 21, 1978

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Pablo Villaseca – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 147 – December 4, 2015

– vs. Mike Bronzoulis – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – Bellator & Glory – September 19, 2015

– vs. Tony Ferguson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 15, 2015

– vs. Bobby Green – Loss via decision (split) – UFC on FOX: Lawler vs. Brown – July 26, 2014

– vs. Benson Henderson – Loss via decision (split) – UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson – January 25, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Closing Comments: Rashid Magomedov and Evan Dunham received additional votes.