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411’s MMA Rankings 04.19.16: Lightweight Division
Finally, we appear on pace to see undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov challenge for the UFC lightweight championship. It’s still several months away (perhaps even not until November in New York City), but it’s the clear big fight at lightweight. Better yet, this is not the only genuinely intriguing match-up near the top of the UFC’s 155-pound division.
Eddie Alvarez has a pair of bigs wins over Gilbert Melendez and Anthony Pettis. Tony Ferguson has a significant winning streak and Nate Diaz is on the verge of beating Conor McGregor in consecutive fights. Each of those three men can lay claim to a title fight, if the scheduling worked out in their favor. Unfortunately right now, it does not.
Alvarez and Ferguson will need at least one more win to hold them over to take on the Rafael dos Anjos/Nurmagomedov winner. Diaz would be more like two wins before he’s in that discussion. Historically, this division has usually been deep with entertaining fighters or the place for a dominant champion (Penn, Edgar). 2016 is more of the same.
Away from all the title talk, this weekend will see the return of former champion Anthony Pettis in a match-up against Edson Barboza. With two consecutive losses, Pettis is at a potential crossroads at lightweight should he fall again. Otherwise, this appears to be the lowest point for him in the prime of his career, if he can return to form and take out Barboza at UFC 197.
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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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:
– Unknown
2) Khabib Nurmagomedov (23-0)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: September 20, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Darrell Horcher – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans – April 16, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Khabib missed nearly two full years of his prime due to a series of injuries. However, he returned last weekend and looked phenomenal, dominating UFC newcomer Darrell Horcher (who accepted the fight on only a weeks notice) and displaying all the skills that would lead you to believe he may be the best lightweight, period. Khabib remains the last person to defeat reigning champion Rafael dos Anjos and a rematch for Rafael’s UFC championship makes all the sense in the world in the fall.
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
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:
– Unknown
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:
– vs. Edson Barboza – UFC 197 – April 23, 2016
Comment: Pettis will be in action this Saturday trying to avoid the first three-fight losing streak of his career. He has dropped consecutive decisions over the past 13 months and has a match-up with an electrifying lightweight in Edson Barboza.
6) “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (29-7, 1 NC)
Height: 6′
Birthday: March 29, 2983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alex Oliveira – Win via submission (triangle choke) – UFC Fight Night – February 21, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Patrick Cote – UFC Fight Night – June 18, 2016
Comment: Cerrone’s intent appears to be settling in at 170-pounds. He had his first UFC welterweight fight in February and choked out Alex Oliveira in the first round. Up next is a co-main spot opposite Patrick Cote in Canada.
7) Nate Diaz (19-10)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: April 16, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Conor McGregor – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 196: McGregor vs. Diaz – March 5, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Conor McGregor – UFC 200: Diaz vs. McGregor II – July 9, 2016
Comment: In a welterweight match-up, Diaz became the first man to beat Conor McGregor in the UFC. The two men were able to turn that fight into the main event of UFC 200 this summer when they do it again in a rematch. If Diaz is able to make it 2-for-2 against the Irishman, he legitimately should be able to choose his next opponent, whether it’s a title fight at lightweight or welterweight.
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:
– vs. Bobby Green – UFC 199 – June 4, 2016
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
10) Michael Chiesa (14-2)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: December 7, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Beneil Dariush – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
– vs. Jim Miller – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – December 10, 2015
– vs. Mitch Clarke – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 4, 2015
– vs. Joe Lauzon – Loss via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC Fight Night – September 5, 2014
– vs. Francisco Trinaldo – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 173 – May 24, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Chiesa earns a spot in the Top 15 for the first time thanks to his submission win over Beneil Dariush Saturday. He’s now riding a three-fight win streak in the UFC for the first time and he’s looking for a fight with Tony Ferguson.
11) Beneil Dariush (12-2)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: May 6, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Michael Chiesa – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Dariush’s five-fight win streak came to a sudden end this weekend, losing for the first time by submission. It’s also nearly two years to the day he lost for the first time as a professional. Although he was unable to build on his big win over Michael Johnson from last summer, he remains a skilled young fighter who should be back in the mix before long.
12) Justin Gaethje (16-0)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: November 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: World Series of Fighting
Last 6 fights:
– vs. Brian Foster – Win via TKO (leg kicks) – WSOF 29 – March 12, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: While Gaethje continues dominating every lightweight the WSOF can muster up, the only question people are concerned about is when his WSOF contract is up. He has at least two fights left, so it’s not looking like he’s even able to negotiate with the UFC until the summer of 2017 at the earliest. In the meantime, he’ll have to settle for being the best lightweight most people have never seen.
13) 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:
– vs. Josh Thomson – Bellator 154 – May 14, 2016
14) 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
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:
– vs. Michael Chandler – Bellator 154 – May 14, 2016
Closing Comments: Evan Dunham received additional votes.
Al Iaquinta was not eligible for our rankings due to inactivity. He last fought more than a year ago and has not agreed to return as of yesterday.
