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411’s MMA Rankings 02.27.18: Lightweight Division – Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson, More
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) 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:
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018
Comment: Although UFC champion Conor McGregor has not had an MMA fight in over 15 months, the main event at UFC 223 between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov will be for the interim-championship. The winner may hold up a championship in April, but as long as McGregor is still active in some fashion, that’s the only fight out there to decide the best lightweight.
3) Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: September 20, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Pat Healy – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson – September 21, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Tony Ferguson – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018
Comment: If Khabib actually does end up fighting in April, the three months and one week between that and his last fight will be his quickest turnaround since 2013. It’s good to see him healthy and active.
4) 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
5) 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:
– Unknown
Comment: Ariel Helwani reported last week the UFC is attempting to book a fight between Barboza and Kevin Lee for this spring.
6) Justin Gaethje (18-1)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: November 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 6 fights:
– 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
– vs. Luis Palomino – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 23 – September 18, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2018
7) Dustin Poirier (22-5, 1 NC)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 19, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Bobby Green – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 199 – June 4, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Justin Gaethje – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2018
8) 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:
– Unknown
9) 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
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:
– vs. Michael Chandler – Bellator 197 – April 13, 2018
11) 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
12) Michael Chandler (17-4)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: April 24, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. David Rickels – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 145 – November 6, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Brent Primus – Bellator 197 – April 13, 2018
Comment: Chandler returned to action for the first time since losing the lightweight title last summer and topped Goiti Yamaguchi in a great fight. Off of the win, he has since signed for a rematch with reigning champion Brent Primus. With that April fight, Chandler will attempt to become the first three-time Bellator champion.
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:
– vs. Anthony Pettis – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018
14) Beneil Dariush (14-3-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: May 6, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Evan Dunham – Draw via decision (split) – UFC 216 – October 7, 2017
– 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
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:
– vs. Michael Chiesa – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018
Comment: In January, I wrote about Pettis, “2018 may be Pettis’ last opportunity to get back in the championship mix, or risk becoming a gatekeeper…” He has signed to fight Michael Chiesa at the Brooklyn UFC show in April. 2-5 since 2015, it’s now been just over seven years since his amazing win over Benson Henderson in the final WEC show in 2010. The following year, he debuted in the UFC to much fanfare but dropped an unflattering decision to Clay Guida, before he reeled off four consecutive wins to become UFC champion.
After a year-long layoff, he defended that title one time against Gilbert Melendez before embarking on the most difficult run of his career. Now this April, Anthony Pettis will have a chance to kick off his 2018 with a key win over ranked lightweight. Otherwise, he very much will become one of the top named gatekeepers in the division.
