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411’s MMA Rankings 01.09.18: Lightweight Division – Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, 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:
– Unknown
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:
– Unknown
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
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:
– Unknown
Comment:
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:
– Unknown
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:
– Unknown
Comment: Surprisingly, Primus is not defending the Bellator title against former champ Michael Chandler to start 2018. It’s unclear when Primus will have his first title defense, hopefully it’s on the books before spring with Patricky Freire a viable challenger.
11) Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (18-8)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: January 21, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Ryan Couture – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 148 – January 29, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
12) 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
13) 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
14) Michael Chandler (16-4)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: April 24, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Derek Campos – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 138 – June 19, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Goiti Yamauchi – Bellator 192 – January 20, 2018
Comment: Former two-time champion Chandler returns to action for the first time since his most recent reign ended in the summer. He’s back in action against 25-year-old Yamauchi (22-3) who himself is on a three-fight win streak and has 18 total wins by submission.
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
Comment: Pettis suffered a fractured rib in the third round against Dustin Poirier in November, resulting in the loss. “Showtime” will turn 31 later this month and will continue to try and turn this stage of his career around. At the end of 2014, Pettis was 18-2, the reigning UFC lightweight champion and was fresh off submission wins over Benson Henderson and Gilbert Melendez. Since 2015, he is 2-5, just 1-4 at lightweight (1-1 at featherweight) and has not been able to win consecutive fights.
Those losses should not be taken lightly: Rafael dos Anjos (now a top contender at welterweight), Eddie Alvarez (perennial top lightweight contender), Edson Barboza (top lightweight contender), Max Holloway (featherweight champion, top P4P fighter) and now Poirier.
2018 may be Pettis’ last opportunity to get back in the championship mix, or risk becoming a gatekeeper and turning to the next stage of his professional career by 2019.
