mma / Columns
411’s MMA Rankings 04.17.18: Lightweight Division – Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Lightweight Division (155 lbs)
1) Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (23-3)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: February 12, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Days before Ferguson was to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223, he tore a ligament in his knee while completing his media obligations. He has since undergone surgery to repair the tear and is on the mend, hoping to be back in action before the end of the year.
2) Khabib Nurmagomedov (26-0)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: September 20, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: The new “undisputed” UFC lightweight champion, Nurmagomeodv ended up fighting Al Iaquinta in Brooklyn earlier this month and easily won the unanimous decision. The first Russian-born champion in UFC history, he returned home to a hero’s welcome. He will likely be back in time for his first title defense in the fall.
3) Eddie Alvarez (29-5, 1 NC)
Birthday: November 11, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
4) Edson Barboza (19-5)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: January 21, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 219 – December 30, 2017
– vs. Beneil Dariush – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – March 11, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Kevin Lee – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
5) Dustin Poirier (23-5, 1 NC)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 19, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Eddie Alvarez – No Contest (illegal strikes) – UFC 211: Miocic vs. dos Santos – May 13, 2017
– vs. Jim Miller – Win via decision (split) – UFC 208 – February 11, 2017
– vs. Michael Johnson – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night – September 17, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Poirier improves to 6-1 (1 No Contest) since his return to lightweight in 2015. His last three wins resulted in ‘Fight of the Night’ awards and he should be in the championship mix, though it is anything but clear.
6) Justin Gaethje (18-2)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: November 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 6 fights:
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2018
– vs. Eddie Alvarez – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017
– vs. Michael Johnson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC TUF Finale – July 7, 2017
– vs. Luiz Firmino – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – WSOF 34 – December 31, 2016
– vs. Brian Foster – Win via TKO (leg kicks) – WSOF 29 – March 12, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Gaethje is no longer the top non-UFC fighter in the world. He’s no longer the undefeated prospect. He does remain one of the most exciting fighters in MMA but now finds himself facing consecutive TKO losses in the octagon.
7) Kevin Lee (16-2)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: September 4, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tony Ferguson – Loss via submission (triangle choke) – UFC 216 – October 7, 2017
– vs. Michael Chiesa – Win via technical submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – June 25, 2017
– vs. Francisco Trinaldo – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – March 11, 2017
– vs. Magomed Mustafaev – Win via technical submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016
– vs. Jake Matthews – Win via TKO (strikes) – TUF Finale – July 8, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Edson Barboza – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
8) Michael Chandler (18-4)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: April 24, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Brent Primus – Loss via TKO (doctor stoppage due to injury) – Bellator 189 – June 24, 2017
– vs. Benson Henderson – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 165 – November 19, 2016
– vs Patricky Freire – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 157 – June 24, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Olivier Aubin-Mercier (11-2)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: February 23, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Evan Dunham – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018
– vs. Tony Martin – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – September 16, 2017
– vs. Drew Dober – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 206 – December 10, 2016
– vs. Thibault Gouti – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – June 18, 2016
– vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – January 30, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Brent Primus (8-0)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: April 12, 1985
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Michael Chandler – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Bellator 180 – June 24, 2017
– vs. Gleristone Santos – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 153 – April 22, 2017
– vs. Derek Anderson – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 141 – August 28, 2015
– vs. Chris Jones – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 111 – March 7, 2014
– vs. Brett Glass – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 109 – November 22, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
11) Paul Felder (15-3)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: April 25, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Win via TKO (elbows) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017
– vs. Steven Ray – Win via KO (elbows) – UFC Fight Night – July 16, 2017
– vs. Alessandro Ricci – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 19, 2017
– vs. Francisco Trinaldo – Loss via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC Fight Night – September 24, 2016
– vs. Joshua Burkman – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 29, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
12) Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (19-8)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: January 21, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Derek Campos – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 194 – February 16, 2018
– vs. Benson Henderson – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 183 – September 23, 2017
– vs. Josh Thomson – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 172 – February 18, 2017
– vs. Michael Chandler – Loss via KO (punch) – Bellator 157 – June 24, 2016
– vs. Edimilson Souza – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 152 – April 16, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) Michael Chiesa (14-3)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: December 7, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kevin Lee – Loss via technical submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – June 25, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: A short time after the video above, Michael Chiesa was sitting on a bus waiting to head back to his hotel and continue watching his weight ahead of the weigh-in the following day. Unfortunately, Conor McGregor stormed the loading dock at the Barclays Center and tossed a dolly at that bus, shattering one of its windows. The glass from that window cut Chiesa’s face and he ended up not getting clearance to compete against Anthony Pettis.
14) Evan Dunham (18-6-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: December 18, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Beneil Dariush – Draw via decision (split) – UFC 216 – October 7, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (20-7)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 27, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss via TKO (rib injury) – UFC Fight Night – November 11, 2017
– vs. Jim Miller – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017
– vs. Max Holloway – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 206 – December 10, 2016
– vs. Charles Oliveira – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC on Fox – August 27, 2016
– vs. Edson Barboza – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 197 – April 23, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
