mma / Columns
411’s MMA Rankings 02.26.19: Lightweight Division – Conor McGregor, Khabib, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Lightweight Division (155 lbs)
1) Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: September 20, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Darrell Horcher – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans – April 16, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Last week, Khabib tried to angle his way into a fight with Georges St. Pierre, but was unsuccessful. GSP went ahead with his retirement and instead, Nurmagomedov appears to be willing to sit out until November (months after his suspension ends) because of teammates who are suspended until that time. The result is the introduction of an interim championship this spring.
2) Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (24-3)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: February 12, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: UFC president Dana White said Tony Ferguson was first offered the main event interim-title slot opposite Max Holloway but declined. An apparent dislike of what he was going to earn was cause for Ferguson turning down the fight.
3) “Notorious” Conor McGregor (21-4)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: July 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Jose Aldo – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
4) Dustin Poirier (24-5, 1 NC)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: January 19, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Max Holloway – UFC 236 – April 13, 2019
Comment: It may not be the big belt, but Poirier finally gets a chance to earn a UFC championship. He will headline UFC 236 with featherweight champion Max Holloway for the interim UFC lightweight championship. Ideally, the winner would then come back before the end of the year to unify the title with champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Poirier has been fighting in the UFC for nine years and only turned 30-years-old last month. Since moving up to lightweight in 2015, he is 8-1 with a no contest. He’s beaten Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez in his last three fights, which is among the more impressive runs in MMA at the moment.
5) Nate Diaz (19-11)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: April 16, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Conor McGregor – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor II – August 20, 2016
– vs. Conor McGregor – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 196: McGregor vs. Diaz – March 5, 2016
– vs. Michael Johnson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy – December 19, 2015
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic – December 13, 2014
– vs. Gray Maynard – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC TUF 18 Finale – November 30, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Yes, we’re nearing three years since Nate Diaz competed in MMA. Days ago, he posted footage on Instagramrecorded prior to what was scheduled to be his return against Dustin Poirier last year. You can’t say when Nate will be back because it seems like he wants to get back immediately and then talk from Dana White suggests he’s turned down practically every fight they’ve offered him. Whatever may happen, until he proves otherwise, Nate remains one of the best in the division.
6) Eddie Alvarez (29-6, 1 NC)
Birthday: November 11, 1984
Currently Fighting With: One Championship
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Timofey Nastyukhin – ONE Championship – March 31, 2019
Comment: Alvarez has held championships across the world and will look to add a title from Asia to his career achievements in the near future. He’s officially set to make his One Championship debut next month in the first round of their lightweight grand prix.
7) Michael Chandler (19-4)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: April 24, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Friere – Bellator 221 – May 11, 2019
Comment: One of the biggest fights in Bellator is signed for May at the Allstate Arena and will air exclusively on the DAZN streaming network (hopefully it fares better than the horrible MVP/Daley fight). Pitbull, the reigning Bellator featherweight champion, is moving up to fight Chandler for his lightweight title. Yes, Bellator is continuing with the “champ-champ” fights as is all the rage in the sport. You can argue these two men are the best Bellator fights ever and they’ll have a chance to take one another out. They’ve never competed before although Chandler is 2-0 over his brother Patricky Freire.
8) Kevin Lee (17-3)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: September 4, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Edson Barboza (20-6)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: January 21, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Dan Hooker – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – December 15, 2018
– vs. Kevin Lee – Loss via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Justin Gaethje – UFC on ESPN 2 – March 30, 2019
Comment: Clearly, any Justin Gaethje fight is highly anticipated because he’s always aggressive. Toss Edson Barboza into the mix and you have high expectations that will be difficult to live up to. The main event on the second ESPN card, they’ll have up to 5 rounds and 25 minutes to brawl. For Barboza, this is an important fight because he has not beaten a ranked lightweight since he knocked out Beneil Dariush in March 2017.
10) Justin Gaethje (19-2)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: November 14, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 6 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Edson Barboza – UFC on ESPN 2 – March 30, 2019
Comment: Similarly for Gaethje, he has not beaten a ranked lightweight since he finished Michael Johnson in the summer of 2017. Following that win, he was finished by Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier before getting back on the wagon by stopping James Vick. Either Gaethje or Barboza will be able to get themselves back into the mix at 155-pounds while if there’s a loser here, they’re back into a rough spot.
11) Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (21-8)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: January 21, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ryan Scope – Win via decision (split) – Bellator Newcastle – February 9, 2019
– vs. Roger Huerta – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 205 – September 21, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: It was recently confirmed by Bellator that both Patricky and Patricio have signed long-term extensions to remain with the company. As for his immediate future, he will be helping brother Patricio prepare for his fight with Michael Chandler this spring. If Patricio can pull off the win, that will mean Patricky’s days as a lightweight contender are over. It’s safe to expect in such a scenario, he’d move up to welterweight since asking him to cut down would seem to be way too much weight to drop.
12) Al Iaquinta (14-4-1)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: April 30, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kevin Lee – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 15, 2018
– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018
– vs. Diego Sanchez – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – April 22, 2017
– vs. Jorge Masvidal – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas – April 4, 2015
– vs. Joe Lauzon – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (35-11, 1 NC)
Height: 6′
Birthday: March 29, 2983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alexander Hernandez – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – January 19, 2019
– vs. Mike Perry – Win via submission (armor) – UFC Fight Night – November 10, 2018
– vs. Leon Edwards – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 23, 2018
– vs. Yancy Medeiros – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 18, 2018
– vs. Darren Till – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – October 21, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: More momentum continues to link Cerrone and Conor McGregor to a potential fight. Nothing is official yet, but it still makes too much sense for both men.
14) Rustam Khabilov (23-4)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: November 4, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2019
– vs. Kajan Johnson – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – September 15, 2018
– vs. Desmond Green – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 2, 2017
– vs. Jason Saggo – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 206 – December 10, 2016
– vs. Leandro Silva – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 3, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Alexander “The Great” Hernandez (10-2)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: October 1, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – January 19, 2019
– vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – July 28, 2018
– vs. Beneil Dariush – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 222 – March 3, 2018
– vs. Derrick Adkins – Win via TKO (strikes) – LFA 27 – November 10, 2017
– vs. Chris Pecero – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – RFA 41 – July 29, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
