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411’s Lightweight MMA Rankings: Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomeov, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Lightweight Division (155 lbs)
1) Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: September 20, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Conor McGregor – Win via submission (neck crank) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018
– vs. Al Iaquinta – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018
– vs. Edson Barboza – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 219 – December 30, 2017
– vs. Michael Johnson – Win via submission (kimura) – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
2) Justin Gaethje (22-2)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: November 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 6 fights:
– vs. Tony Ferguson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 249 – May 9, 2010
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 14, 2019
– vs. Edson Barboza – Win via KO (punch) – UFC on ESPN 2 – March 30, 2019
– vs. James Vick – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – August 25, 2018
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: We are used to seeing Justin Gaethje throw combinations at rapid speeds in his fights. He’s done that his entire career, he became the World Series of Fighting Champion and debuted in the UFC with his undefeated record doing just that. He also lost to Eddie Alvarez and Michael Johnson because of that same aggressiveness (in rounds three and four, respectively). However, Gaethje had the best performance of his nine years and 24 fight career against Tony Ferguson, likely with a title fight on the line.
Gaethje peppered Ferguson with combinations of leg kicks, hooks and everything else he could muster in a controlled order. The fight never went to the ground and less than 90 seconds from the fight going to a decision, Gaethje hit Ferguson with a final barrage of punches before the referee stopped the fight.
You would assume a title fight between Khabib and Gaethje is coming our way before the end of 2020. However, after Khabib/Ferguson was planned a million times and never happened, do not assume.
3) Dustin Poirier (25-6, 1 NC)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 19, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Max Holloway – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 236 – April 13, 2019
– vs. Eddie Alvarez – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – July 28, 2018
– vs. Justin Gaethje – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2018
– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via TKO (rib injury) – UFC Fight Night – November 11, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
4) Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (25-4)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: February 12, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Justin Gaethje – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 249 – May 9, 2010
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC 238 – June 8, 2019
– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via TKO (injury) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018
– vs. Kevin Lee – Win via submission (triangle choke) – UFC 216 – October 7, 2017
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Win via decision (unanimous) – TUF Finale – November 5, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Ferguson has been fighting in the UFC for nearly nine years and Saturday night, he lost just his second fight in that time. He took a pounding for five rounds to the point he was a bloody mess and his body recoiled when taking more shots. Ferguson talked about having been training since November, multiple weight cuts and the change from Khabib Nurmagomedov to Gaethje last month. His hopes of a title fight in the short term are history, but will he be able to fight his way back into that mix?
5) Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (30-4)
Height: 5’5
Birthday: July 7, 1987
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Juan Archuleta – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 228 – September 28, 2019
– vs. Michael Chandler – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 221 – May 11, 2019
– vs. Emmanuel Sanchez – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 209 – November 15, 2018
– vs. Daniel Weichel – Win via decision (split) – Bellator MMA – July 14, 2018
– vs. Daniel Straus – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – Bellator 178 – April 21, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) “Notorious” Conor McGregor (23-4)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: July 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 246 – January 18, 2020
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via submission (neck crank) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira (29-8, 1 NC)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: October 17, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kevin Lee – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night – March 14, 2020
– vs. Jared Gordon – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 16, 2019
– vs. Nik Lentz – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 18, 2019
– vs. David Teymur – Win via submission (anaconda choke) – UFC Fight Night – February 2, 2019
– vs. Jim Miller – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox – December 15, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
8) Michael Chandler (20-5)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: April 24, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Sidney Outlaw – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator 237 – December 29, 2019
– vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Friere – Loss via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 221 – May 11, 2019
– vs. Brent Primus – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 212 – December 14, 2018
– vs. Brandon Girtz – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – Bellator 197 – April 13, 2018
– vs. Goiti Yamauchi – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 192 – January 20, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Dan Hooker (20-8)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: February 13, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Paul Felder – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2020
– vs. Al Iaquinta – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 243 – October 6, 2019
– vs. James Vick – Win via KO (punch) – UFC on ESPN – July 20, 2019
– vs. Edson Barboza – Loss via TKO (body punch) – UFC on Fox – December 15, 2018
– vs. Gilbert Burns – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Diego Ferreira (17-2)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 18, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 246 – January 18, 2020
– vs. Mairbek Taisumov – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Rustam Khabilov – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2019
– vs. Kyle Nelson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 231 – December 8, 2018
– vs. Jared Gordon – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 18, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AGXBlLZ4S0
11) Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (23-9)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: January 21, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA & Rizin FF
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tofig Musayev – Loss via decision (unanimous) – Rizin FF 20 – December 31, 2019
– vs. Luiz Gustavo – Win via TKO (strikes & soccer kick) – Rizin FF 20 – December 31, 2019
– vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri – Win via KO (flying knee) – Rizin FF 19 – October 12, 2019
– vs. Ryan Scope – Win via decision (split) – Bellator Newcastle – February 9, 2019
– vs. Roger Huerta – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 205 – September 21, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Peter Queally – Bellator – October 3, 2020
12) Paul Felder (17-5)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: April 25, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Dan Hooker – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2020
– vs. Edson Barboza – Win via decision (split) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. James Vick – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – February 17, 2019
– vs. Mike Perry – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Win via TKO (elbows) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) Islam Makhachev (18-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: September 27, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Davi Ramos – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Arman Tsarukyan – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 20, 2019
– vs. Kajan Johnson – Win via submission (armor) – UFC on Fox – July 28, 2018
– vs. Gleison Tibau – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 220 – January 20, 2018
– vs. Nik Lentz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 208 – February 11, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Kevin Lee (18-6)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: September 4, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night – March 14, 2020
– vs. Gregor Gillespie – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC Fight Night – May 18, 2019
– vs. Al Iaquinta – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 15, 2018
– vs. Edson Barboza – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: In wake of his submission loss to Charles Oliveira, Lee underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee two weeks ago. Barring a faster than typical recovery, he likely won’t be back in action until 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aP_QbCwhuc
15) Eddie Alvarez (30-7, 1 NC)
Birthday: November 11, 1984
Currently Fighting With: One Championship
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Eduard Folayang – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – ONE Championship – August 2, 2019
– vs. Timofey Nastyukhin – Loss via TKO (strikes) – ONE Championship – March 31, 2019
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – July 28, 2018
– vs. Justin Gaethje – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017
– vs. Dustin Poirier – No Contest (illegal strikes) – UFC 211: Miocic vs. dos Santos – May 13, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown