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411’s MMA Rankings 07.05.16: Featherweight Division
UFC 200 is this Saturday and one of the many great fights on tap is a do or die type match-up pitting Frankie Edgar against Jose Aldo with the interim UFC featherweight title on the line. For Edgar, a second loss to Aldo would just about scrap any hopes of becoming a two division champion in his career. For Aldo, a loss to Edgar will increase any perception that he’s on the downside of his career and push him even further from a potential rematch with champion Conor McGregor. Frankie turns 35-years-old in the fall and Aldo’s 30th birthday is not for two more months, between the two they are 45-6-1 with four MMA championships. Two of the best featherweights in history, it will be just the second fight of the (stacked) PPV Saturday night.
It’s unknown when or if Conor McGregor will return to 145-pounds as he’s currently prepping for his fight next month at welterweight against Nate Diaz. McGregor has not had to weigh in at 145 since December and it must be a good feeling to not be required to cut as much weight as Conor did to compete at featherweight. From a fight standpoint, is a potential rematch with Jose Aldo, or a fight with Frankie Edgar more appealing than any potential matchup at lightweight?
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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 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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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.
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Featherweight Division (145 lbs)
1) “Notorious” Conor McGregor (19-2)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: July 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jose Aldo – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
– vs. Chad Mendes – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 189: McGregor vs. Mendes – July 11, 2015
– vs. Dennis Siver – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver – January 18, 2015
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 178: Cerrone vs. Alvarez – September 27, 2014
– vs. Diego Brandao – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao – July 19, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Nate Diaz – UFC 202 – August 20, 2016
2) Jose Aldo (25-2)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: September 9, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Conor McGregor – Loss via KO (punch) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
– vs. Chad Mendes – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 179: Aldo vs. Mendes 2 – October 25, 2014
– vs. Ricardo Lamas – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 169: Barao vs. Faber 2 – February 1, 2014
– vs. Chan Sung Jung – Win via TKO (punches) – UFC 163: Aldo vs. Korean Zombie – August 3, 2013
– vs. Frankie Edgar – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar – February 2, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Frankie Edgar – UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 – July 9, 2016
Comment: Aldo’s return following his knockout loss in the winter is just four days away. It will be the first time he enters a fight as a contender since November 2009, only now he’s aiming for an interim title when he fights Frankie Edgar again.
3) Frankie Edgar (20-4-1)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: October 16, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 6 fights:
– vs. Chad Mendes – Win via KO (punches) – UFC TUF Finale – December 11, 2015
– vs. Urijah Faber – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber – May 16, 2015
– vs. Cub Swanson – Win via submission (neck crank) – UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson – November 22, 2014
– vs. B.J. Penn – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC TUF Finale – July 6, 2014
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman – July 6, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jose Aldo – UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 – July 9, 2016
4) Max Holloway (16-3)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: December 4, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ricardo Lamas – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping – June 4, 2016
– vs. Jeremy Stephens – Win via decision (unanumous) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Win via TKO (injury) – UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira – August 23, 2015
– vs. Cub Swanson – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold – April 18, 2015
– vs. Cole Miller – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch – February 14, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Depending on what Conor McGregor ends up doing after his August bout with Nate Diaz, there’s a good chance Holloway ends up fighting the Aldo/Edgar winner in the fall to determine the new undisputed featherweight champion.
5) Chad Mendes (17-4)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: May 1, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Frankie Edgar – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC TUF Finale – December 11, 2015
– vs. Conor McGregor – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 189: McGregor vs. Mendes – July 11, 2015
– vs. Ricardo Lamas – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas – April 4, 2015
– vs. Jose Aldo – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 179: Aldo vs. Mendes 2 – October 25, 2014
– vs. Nik Lentz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez – December 14, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) Cub Swanson (22-7)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: November 2, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Hacran Dias – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans – April 16, 2016
– vs. Max Holloway – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold – April 18, 2015
– vs. Frankie Edgar – Loss via submission (neck crank) – UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson – November 22, 2014
– vs. Jeremy Stephens – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens – June 28, 2014
– vs. Dennis Siver – Win via TKO (punches) – UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman – July 6, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri – UFC Fight Night – August 6, 2016
7) Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira (21-5, 1 NC)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: October 17, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Myles Jury – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC on Fox – December 19, 2015
– vs. Max Hollloway – Loss via TKO (injury) – UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira – August 23, 2015
– vs. Nik Lentz – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves – May 30, 2015
– vs. Jeremy Stephens – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF Finale – December 12, 2014
– vs. Hatsu Hioki – Win via submission (anaconda choke) – UFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs. Marquardt – June 28, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Anthony Pettis – UFC on Fox – August 27, 2016
8) Ricardo Lamas (16-5)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: May 21, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Max Holloway – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping – June 4, 2016
– vs. Diego Sanchez – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 21, 2015
– vs. Chad Mendes – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas – April 4, 2015
– vs. Dennis Bermudez – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC 180: Hunt vs. Werdum – November 15, 2014
– vs. Hacran Dias – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens – June 28, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens (25-12)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: May 26, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Renan Barao – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 29, 2016
– vs. Max Holloway – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
– vs. Dennis Bermudez – Win via KO (flying knee) – UFC 189: McGregor vs. Mendes – July 11, 2015
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF Finale – December 12, 2014
– vs. Cub Swanson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens – June 28, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (25-3)
Height: 5’5
Birthday: July 7, 1987
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Henry Corrales – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – Bellator 153 – April 22, 2016
– vs. Daniel Straus – Loss via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 145 – November 6, 2015
– vs. Daniel Weichel – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 138 – June 19, 2015
– vs. Daniel Straus – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 132: Pitbull vs. Straus 2 – January 16, 2015
– vs. Pat Curran – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 123: Curran vs. Pitbull 2 – September 5, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
11) Daniel Straus (25-6)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: July 27, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Pitbull Freire – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 145 – November 6, 2015
– vs. Henry Corrales – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – Bellator 138 – June 19, 2015
– vs. Pitbull Freire – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 132: Pitbull vs. Straus 2 – January 16, 2015
– vs. Justin Wilcox – Win via KO (left hook) – Bellator 127 – October 3, 2014
– vs. Pat Curran – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 112 – March 14, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: The reigning Bellator champion is dropping due to inactivity.
12) Brian Ortega (11-0, 1 NC)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: February 21, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Clay Guida – Win via KO (knee) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping – June 4, 2016
– vs. Diego Brandao – Win via submission (triangle choke) – UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit – January 2, 2016
– vs. Thiago Tavares – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – June 6, 2015
– vs. Mike De La Torre – No Contest (Win by Ortega overturned for failed drug test) – UFC on Fox – July 26, 2014
– vs. Keoni Koch – Win via decision (split) – RFA 12 – January 24, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Ortega is continuing his run through the bottom ranks of the UFC’s division. He knocked out Clay Guida (only the second time in Guida’s career he had been knocked out), improving his streak to three wins by knockout or submission going back to last June.
13) Daniel “The Weasel” Weichel (36-9)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: November 22, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Georgi Karakhanyan – Win via decision (unanimous) – December 4, 2015
– vs. Pitbull Freire – Loss via KO (punch) – Bellator 138 – June 19, 2015
– vs. Pat Curran – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 133 – February 13, 2015
– vs. Desmond Green – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 119 – May 9, 2014
– vs. Matt Bessette – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 114 – March 28, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Emmanuel Sanchez – Bellator 159 – July 22, 2016
14) Pat Curran (22-7)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: August 31, 1987
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Georgi Karakhanyan – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 155 – May 20, 2016
– vs. Emmanuel Sanchez – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 139 – June 26, 2015
– vs. Daniel Weichel – Loss via decision (split) – Bellator 133 – February 13, 2015
– vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Friere – Loss via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 123: Curran vs. Pitbull 2 – September 5, 2014
– vs. Daniel Straus – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 112 – March 14, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Yair Rodriguez (7-1)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: October 6, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Andre Fili – Win via KO (flying head kick) – UFC 197 – April 23, 2016
– vs. Dan Hooker – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 192 – October 3, 2015
– vs. Charles Rosa – Win via decision (split) – UFC 188 – June 13, 2015
– vs. Leonardo Morales – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 180 – November 15, 2014
– vs. Edgar Juarez – Win via KO (flying knee) – FMP 14 – February 16, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Alex Caceres – UFC Fight Night – August 6, 2016
Comment: The 23-year-old will meet UFC vet Alex Caceres next month, headlining his first UFC card since he won a TUF: Latin America tournament nearly two years ago.
Final Notes: Dennis Bermudez and Thiago Tavares received additional votes.
