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411’s MMA Rankings 10.27.15: Lightweight Division
The lightweight division has not seen much action since the middle of the summer, especially the best 155-pounders. That is all about to change over the next three months as we will soon see title fights, returns and new top contenders crowned in both the UFC and Bellator.
The two title scraps will both be featured free of PPV with the UFC showcase headlining their final FOX broadcast on December 19. Champion Rafael dos Anjos defends his title for the first time against “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone in a rematch of their summer 2013 fight (RDA won). Before then, the Bellator championship is at stake when champ Will Brooks puts his gold on the line against Polish submission wiz kid Marcin Held next week on Spike TV.
Meanwhile, there are two big returns set for the octagon. In December, undefeated top contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is back for the first time since the spring of 2014, trying to cement his status as the next top contender when he fights Tony Ferguson. Meanwhile, former champion Anthony Pettis will have his first fight since losing to dos Anjos in March, when he fights Eddie Alvarez in January.
This all makes for a potentially exciting shake up in the division as it’s possible by the end of January, we could be looking at Cowboy Cerrone and Ferguson as the next UFC lightweight title fight. Imagine that craziness.
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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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
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:
– vs. Eddie Alvarez – UFC Fight Night – January 17, 2016
Comment:
3) 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 TUF Finale – December 11, 2015
4) “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
5) 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:
– vs. Anthony Pettis – UFC Fight Night – January 17, 2016
6) 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:
– vs. Thiago Alves – UFC Fight Night – November 28, 2015
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:
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – UFC TUF Finale – December 11, 2015
Comment: The biggest fight of Ferguson’s career, he can cement himself as a potential title contender with a win over undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov.
8) 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
9) 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:
– Unknown
10) 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
11) 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:
– vs. Nate Diaz – UFC on Fox – December 19, 2015
12) 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
13) 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
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:
– Unknown
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
Closing Comments: Joe Lauzon and Mairbek Taisumov received additional votes.
