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411’s MMA Rankings 08.18.15: Lightweight Division
411’s MMA Rankings 08.18.15: Lightweight Division
Cowboy Cerrone has his first UFC championship fight scheduled, Michael Johnson loses a controversial decision and Gilbert Melendez is suspended! Check out the latest 411 MMA Rankings!
It sure seems like no weight class is immune to the plague of dopers in MMA. Since the last set of 411 MMA Rankings in the lightweight division, perennial Top 5 fighter Gilbert Melendez failed a drug test for synthetic testosterone. This was after his long-awaited fight with Eddie Alvarez in June and now, a man who has arguably been one of the three or four best lightweights going back six-plus years will be out of action until June 2016 serving a suspension.
One mans screw-up should lead to more opportunities for newer names in the Top 10. Tony Ferguson is coming off a win over Melendez’s greatest rival, Josh Thomson, and is boasting a long win streak, too. Beneil Dariush leaps above nearly half the field this month following his recent win over Michael Johnson. Then, there’s the presence of former UFC featherweight contender Dustin Poirier, though I can understand if it’s a bit too early seeing him ranked as high as he is at lightweight right now.
At the top of the division is a December UFC championship fight pitting champ Rafael dos Anjos against Cowboy Cerrone. It has taken Cerrone eight consecutive wins to get this fight and odds are he probably would prefer to fight anyone if it meant fighting sooner than the end of the year. He’s a unique soul in his view of MMA as strictly business, when we usually hear of fighters go on and on about their desire to become champion, get a physical belt and know they’re the best in the division. But, perhaps it’s just as simple as Cowboy wanting to avenge the last loss of his career when RDA topped him in 2013.
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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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 (23-7)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: October 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis 2 – August 31, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Donald Cerrone – UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 – December 19, 2015
Comment: RDA’s first title defense is set in stone as he will defend his championship against Cowboy Cerrone on national television in December. It will be a rematch of their fight two years ago which dos Anjos won by unanimous decision.
2) “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (18-3)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 27, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Joe Lauzon – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson – February 25, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Pettis was scheduled to return to action last month but in May, suffered an elbow injury that forced him to withdraw from the action. Now, he says he’s close to full health and is aiming to have his first fight since losing the title in March before the end of 2015.
3) “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (28-6, 1 NC)
Height: 6′
Birthday: March 29, 2983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Jim Miller – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller – July 16, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 – December 19, 2015
Comment: The time has finally arrived, “Cowboy” is getting his opportunity to fight for a UFC championship. He has won his last eight fights and has not lost since he fought dos Anjos in 2013. However, this fight is important to Cerrone only so far as he can avenge that loss and earn some money since he will end up going nearly seven full months without fighting. He has famously talked about the bills he has to pay off thanks to his lifestyle away from MMA, so he’ll have to settle for fighting four times in 2015.
4) Eddie Alvarez (26-4)
Birthday: November 11, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Shinya Aoki – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 66 – April 20, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
5) Benson “Smooth” Henderson (22-5)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: November 16, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Brandon Thatch – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch – February 14, 2015
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver – January 18, 2015
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos – August 23, 2014
– vs. Rustam Khabilov – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov – June 7, 2014
– vs. Josh Thomson – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson – January 25, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Henderson hopes to be featured prominently on the UFC’s debut show in South Korea in November, two days after Thanksgiving.
6) Will Brooks (16-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: October 8, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Saad Awad – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 105 – October 25, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Marcin Held – Bellator 145 – November 6, 2015
Comment: Brooks’ next title defense is scheduled for November where he will fight leg lock specialist Marcin Held. Brooks is on a hell of a run since he was knocked out for the first time back in 2013, winning seven straight fights in Bellator and showing no signs of slowing down.
7) Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (19-3)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: February 12, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Katsunori Kikuno – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 173 – May 24, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Ferguson picked up his sixth consecutive win as he also earned another ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus after his decision win over Josh Thomson. He may also be the answer to a new trivia question as he’ll likely be the last man to fight Josh Thomson inside the octagon, “The Punk” has since signed to fight for Bellator.
As for Tony, it’s about time he gets a fight with a bonafide Top 5 lightweight.
8) 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:
– Unknown
Comment: It’s not often a borderline Top 15 (he ranked #15 in June) even gets a fight with a Top 5 (Michael Johnson was #5) fighter, let alone picks up the win. But, Dariush did just that and has a five-fight UFC win streak that will lead to more opportunities against fighters above him at 155-pounds. Perhaps Eddie Alvarez, Benson Henderson or even Anthony Pettis are next for the Kings MMA fighter.
9) Michael “The Menace” Johnson (16-9)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: June 4, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Joe Lauzon – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen – August 17, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Johnson’s four fight win streak ended thanks to a split decision in which he felt he was robbed. While it will clearly impact his earnings (though who knows whether UFC brass “made him whole” based on how they saw the fight), it should not knock him too far down the divisional ladder. Now let’s see how he bounces back after such a disappointing turn against Dariush.
10) Dustin Poirier (18-4)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 19, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Diego Brandao – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 168 – December 28, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Joseph Duffy – UFC Fight Night – October 24, 2015
Comment: Poirier is 2-0 since moving to lightweight this year and is next headlining the UFC’s return to Dublin in October. He’ll meet Ireland’s Joseph Duffy (14-1, 2-0 UFC) on the Fight Pass broadcast.
11) 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
Comment: Iaquinta will be out of action through the end of the year due to knee surgery. He has little cartilage and doctors will (or already have) aim to correct that issue. The New York native expects to be able to return to the octagon within six months.
12) Edson Barboza (16-3)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: January 21, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Paul Felder – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – July 25, 2015
– vs. Michael Johnson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir – February 22, 2015
– vs. Bobby Green – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson – November 22, 2014
– vs. Evan Dunham – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller – July 16, 2014
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne – April 19, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: It proved to be an interesting war of dangerous strikers with Barboza topping Felder on Fox last month. Edson landed the more effective strikes and with the fight never going to the ground, it gave both men ample time to showcase their punches and kicks. Elder fell short, losing by scores of 28-29 across the board and now Barboza is looking again to fight a ranked lightweight.
13) Justin Gaethje (14-0)
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 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
– vs. Dan Lauzon – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 6 – October 26, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Luis Palomino – WSOF 23 – September 18, 2015
Comment: Yes, WSOF is having Gaethje/Palomino 2 just six months after their three round battle in Phoenix. It was such an entertaining scrap, it’s happening again next month.
14) Myles “The Fury” Jury (15-1)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: October 31, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier – January 3, 2015
– vs. Takanori Gomi – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Hunt – September 20, 2014
– vs. Diego Sanchez – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 171 – March 15, 2014
– vs. Mike Ricci – Win via decision (split) – UFC 165 – September 21, 2013
– vs. Ramsey Nijem – Win via KO (punch) – UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez – April 20, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: This will be the final entry at lightweight for Myles Jury because he is dropping down to featherweight. Additionally, he has left Alliance MMA and will train at Power MMA (great names) in Arizona for this new chapter of his career.
15) Marcin Held (21-3)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 18, 1992
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alexander Sarnavskiy – Win by submission (armbar) – Bellator 136 – April 10, 2015
– vs. Patricky Freire – Win by decision (unanimous) – Bellator 126 – September 26, 2014
– vs. Nate Jolly – Win via submission (armbar) – Bellator 120 – May 17, 2014
– vs. Derek Anderson – Win via submission (triangle choke) – Bellator 117 – April 18, 2014
– vs. Rodrigo Cavalheiro – Win via submission (toe hold) – Bellator 113 – March 21, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Will Brooks – Bellator 145 – November 6, 2015
Comment: One of Poland’s best fighters, Held has been on a tear since his last loss in 2013. Of his six wins since then, he has submitted four of his opponents and knocked out one. Now, he is preparing for his first Bellator championship fight at 23-years-old.
Closing Comments: Rashid Magomedov and Joe Lauzon received additional votes.
As mentioned earlier, Gilbert Melendez has been suspended for failing a drug test and was not eligible for these rankings.
