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411’s MMA Rankings: Lightweight Division

March 16, 2017 | Posted by Jonathan Solomon


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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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

Comment: While McGregor is sidelined (said to be at least through the spring), there’s been more talk of negotiations between the UFC and Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a boxing match between the two. Such talk is just to grab headlines for either side. In reality, unless McGregor wants to go back up to welterweight, his next fight should be against the winner of the March headlining fight between Khabib and Ferguson.



2) 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



3) 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



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:

– vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC 211: Miocic vs. dos Santos – May 13, 2017



5) Edson Barboza (19-4)

Height: 5’11

Birthday: January 21, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– 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

– vs. Paul Felder – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – July 25, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



6) 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




7) Justin Gaethje (17-0)

Height: 5’11

Birthday: November 14, 1988

Currently Fighting With: Free Agent

Last 6 fights:

– 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

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: The longtime WSOF lightweight champion, Justin Goethe is currently a free agent. He’s undefeated and been in some crazy wars as champion. Wherever he ends up will be picking up a hell of a fighter.



8) Beneil Dariush (14-3)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: May 6, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Edson Barboza – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – March 11, 2017

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



9) 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



10) Dustin Poirier (21-5)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: January 19, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– 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

– vs. Bobby Green – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 199 – June 4, 2016

– vs. Joseph Duffy – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 195 – January 2, 2016

– vs. Yancy Medeiros – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Boetsch – June 6, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Eddie Alvarez – UFC 211: Miocic vs. dos Santos – May 13, 2017



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) Michael Chandler (16-3)

Height: 5’8

Birthday: April 24, 1986

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Benson Henderson – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 165 – November 19, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown




13) 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:

– vs. Charles Oliveira – UFC 210 – April 8, 2017



14) Jim Miller (28-9, 1 NC)

Height: 5’8

Birthday: August 30, 1983

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 208 – February 11, 2017

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



15) Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (17-8)

Height: 5’7

Birthday: January 21, 1986

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– 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

– vs. Ryan Couture – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 148 – January 29, 2016

– vs. Derek Anderson – Loss via decision (split) – Bellator 147 – December 4, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Closing Comments: No other fighter received votes.