mma / Columns

411’s MMA Rankings 11.15.16: Lightweight Division

November 16, 2016 | Posted by Jonathan Solomon

The lightweight division in MMA has perennially been chock full of amazing fighters and despite the consolidation of the sport in recent years, this fact has not changed. It just so happens that instead of having groups of top lightweights spread around the world fighting in different companies, the majority are now in the UFC and it’s making for some intriguing possibilities with every fight. Now, Conor McGregor made history at Madison Square Garden this past weekend, smashing Eddie Alvarez to become UFC lightweight champion. The now-reigning 145-pound and 155-pound champion appears set to take a break after fighting four times in under a year. Unfortunately for top contenders at lightweight AND featherweight, they’ll have to wait or fight it out amongst themselves in the meantime.

Khabib Nurmagomedov had his first fight in seven months and dominated Michael Johnson on the ground like nobody has done. Tony Ferguson won his ninth consecutive fight earlier this month. Will the two settle the debate about who should challenge for the title next by fighting one another?


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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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.


411’s Official MMA Rankings

Lightweight Division (155 lbs)


1) “Notorious” Conor McGregor (21-3)

Height: 5’8

Birthday: July 14, 1988

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Eddie Alvarez – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016

– vs. Nate Diaz – Win via decision (split) – UFC 202 – August 20, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



2) Khabib Nurmagomedov (24-0)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: September 20, 1988

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Michael Johnson – Win via submission (kimura) – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



3) Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (22-3)

Height: 5’11

Birthday: February 12, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Win via decision (unanimous) – TUF Finale – November 5, 2016

– vs. Lando Vanatta – Win via submission (Brabo choke) – UFC Fight Night – July 13, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown




4) Eddie Alvarez (28-5)

Birthday: November 11, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Conor McGregor – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016

– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 7, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



5) Edson Barboza (18-4)

Height: 5’11

Birthday: January 21, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Gilbert Melendez – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – July 23, 2016

– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 197 – April 23, 2016

– vs. Tony Ferguson – Loss via submission (D’arce choke) – UFC TUF Finale – December 11, 2015

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



6) Rafael dos Anjos (25-9)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: October 26, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Tony Ferguson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – TUF Finale – November 5, 2016

– vs. Eddie Alvarez – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 7, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



7) 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



8) Beneil Dariush (14-2)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: May 6, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Rashid Magomedov – Win via decision (unanimous) – TUF Finale – November 5, 2016

– vs. James Vick – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 199 – June 4, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



9) 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:

– vs. Joao Zeferino – WSOF 34 – December 31, 2016



10) Michael “The Menace” Johnson (17-11)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: June 4, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via submission (kimura) – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016

– vs. Dustin Poirier – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 17, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Despite losing in painful fashion Saturday night, Johnson has perhaps showed the world how to beat Nurmagomedov. Before Khabib was able to take the fight to the ground (at will), Johnson got then better of him standing up and hurt him with a big punch. If anyone is to stop the undefeated Russian, it’s going to be someone with great takedown defense.



11) Evan Dunham (18-6)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: December 18, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Rick Glenn – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 17, 2016

– vs. Joe Lauzon – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF Finale – December 11, 2015

– vs. Ross Pearson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 18, 2015

– vs. Rodrigo Damm – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 182 – January 3, 2015

– vs. Edson Barboza – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 16, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



12) Will Brooks (18-2)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: October 8, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Alex Oliveira – Loss via KO (strikess) – UFC Fight Night – October 1, 2016

– vs. Ross Pearson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF 23 Finale – July 8, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



13) Jim Miller (28-8, 1 NC)

Height: 5’8

Birthday: August 30, 1983

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Thiago Alves – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016

– vs. Joe Lauzon – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox – August 27, 2016

– vs. Takanori Gomi – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 200 – July 9, 2016

– vs. Diego Sanchez – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 196 – March 5, 2016

– vs. Michael Chiesa – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – December 10, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Miller is ranked for the first time in about two years thanks to a three fight win streak. It’s the New Jersey native’s first three fight win streak since 2011!



14) Michael Chandler (15-3)

Height: 5’8

Birthday: April 24, 1986

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs Patricky Freire – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 157 – June 24, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Benson Henderson – Bellator 165 – November 19, 2016



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:

– Unknown

Closing Comments: Francisco Trinaldo and Rashid Magomedov received additional votes.