mma / Columns
411’s MMA Rankings 08.09.16: Featherweight Division
Conor McGregor cannot stop making headlines for things relating to anything other than fighting as a UFC featherweight, in a division of which he is champion. If you would have guessed that after his amazing knockout win over Jose Aldo last December, he would not be competing again at featherweight for nearly a full year, many would have said an injury was in play. Nope. McGregor jumped at the chance to compete at welterweight against Nate Diaz and due to his loss at UFC 196, he’s participating in an immediate rematch later this month.
On the bright side, he insists he’s not leaving the 145-pound division and fully intends to defend the championship.
Whenever McGregor does come back down, he’s looking at tough matchup in Jose Aldo (a rematch) and Max Holloway (a rematch). Obviously, he can relish advantages over other featherweights that he simply cannot when fighting at higher weight classes. As a featherweight, McGregor is bigger and longer than any potential challenger, allowing him to pick apart fighters like Aldo, Chad Mendes and Dustin Poirier. Clearly, Jose Aldo is better than the man we saw knocked out cold in maybe two minutes last December. But, can he take McGregor’s aggressiveness and demolish him as he’s done to Frankie Edgar twice? Most recently, Aldo dominated Edgar at UFC 200, but there’s no real point you can extract from their fight and say Aldo will definitively do “X” better based on it.
We’re left to talk about McGregor (ironic) as a featherweight champion, fighting at welterweight against Nate Diaz who is taller and longer than the Irishman. Give credit to Conor for moving up to fight bigger guys, something Georges St. Pierre was oft-criticized for not doing and something Anderson Silva was celebrated for doing.
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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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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 (19-3)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: July 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Nate Diaz – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 196 – March 5, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Nate Diaz – UFC 202 – August 20, 2016
Comment: McGregor has made headlines over the weekend more for disparaging remarks against WWE pro wrestlers than anything he’s said about his upcoming opponent at UFC 202, Nate Diaz. With every WWE wrestler under the sun feeding into McGregor and calling him out, Nate Diaz has briefly taken a back seat. We’re less than two weeks from the big rematch which will provide Conor the opportunity to avenge his first and only loss inside the UFC’s octagon.
When asked whether both men would be up for a third fight in the event of a McGregor win, Nate and Conor emphatically said yes. So, if Diaz loses in 11 days, there’s at least the possibility that Conor will go more than a year without fighting at featherweight. Perhaps then the UFC attempts to strip him of his championship, but maybe they’ll make an exception.
2) Jose Aldo (26-2)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: September 9, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Frankie Edgar – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 – July 9, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: For any thought that Aldo was on the tail end of his career courtesy of the Conor McGregor knockout in December, he did a lot to scratch such talk at UFC 200. For five rounds, he outclassed Frankie Edgar and was masterful, besting one of the best in the sport time and again. Whether Aldo, the new UFC interim featherweight champion, will ever have a shot to fight McGregor again remains to be seen. In the meantime, he’ll have a front row seat at UFC 202, I’m positive.
3) Frankie Edgar (20-5-1)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: October 16, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 6 fights:
– vs. Jose Aldo – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 – July 9, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
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: While McGregor insists he’s not giving up his featherweight belt anytime soon, and intends to return to 145-pounds to fight, you never know. If the Irishman sticks to a higher weight class, all of a sudden, you’re looking at a title fight between Aldo and Max Holloway. We’ll probably have to wait until the fall before we know for sure who Aldo is fighting next.
5) Cub Swanson (23-7)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: November 2, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – August 6, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) 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
7) 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
8) 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
9) 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:
– vs. Benson Henderson – Bellator 160 – August 26, 2016
Comment: Pitbull will have his first fight at lightweight later this month and it will also mark the most marquee fight of his career, against former UFC champion Benson Henderson.
10) 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
11) 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
12) Daniel “The Weasel” Weichel (37-9)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: November 22, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Emmanuel Sanchez – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 159 – July 22, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez (16-5)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: December 13, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rony Mariano Bezerra – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – August 6, 2016
– vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 21, 2016
– vs. Jeremy Stephens – Loss via KO (flying knee) – UFC 189: McGregor vs. Mendes – July 11, 2015
– vs. Ricardo Lamas – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC 180: Hunt vs. Werdum – November 15, 2014
– vs. Clay Guida – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown – July 26, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
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 (8-1)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: October 6, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alex Caceres – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – August 6, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment:
Final Notes: Doo Ho Choi received additional votes.
