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411 MMA Rankings 08.07.18: Pound for Pound – Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, More

August 7, 2018 | Posted by Jonathan Solomon

411’s MMA Rankings
Pound For Pound


1) Daniel Cormier (21-1, 1 NC)

Birthday: March 20, 1979

Height: 5’9

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Stipe Miocic – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018

– vs. Volkan Oezdemir – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 220 – January 20, 2017

– vs. Jon Jones – No Contest (overturned) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017

– vs. Anthony Johnson – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 210 – April 8, 2017

– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200: Tate vs. Nunes – July 9, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Cormier joined elite company as he became the second person in UFC history to hold two different titles simultaneously (and the fifth person to win titles in multiple weight classes). The fact he was able to knock out Stipe Miocic in the first round only added to the achievements. It was something we had not seen since perhaps when Michael Bisping became middleweight champion, the sight of seeing someone’s hard work finally pay off on the biggest stage in the sport. As for what’s next for the light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, Cormier intends to only fight another two or possibly three times before leaving his fight career in the rearview. It appears he’s set to fight Brock Lesnar early in 2019, though that has not been made official just yet.



2) Max Holloway (19-3)

Height: 5’11

Birthday: December 4, 1991

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Jose Aldo – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017

– vs. Jose Aldo – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 212 – June 3, 2017

– vs. Anthony Pettis – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 206: Holloway vs. Pettis – December 10, 2016

– vs. Ricardo Lamas – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping – June 4, 2016

– vs. Jeremy Stephens – Win via decision (unanumous) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Unfortunately, Holloway has been pulled from three scheduled fights in 2018 due to a variety of ailments. He was forced from a title defense against Frankie Edgar in February due to a leg injury. In April, after jumping in on short notice to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov, he was pulled by the New York State Athletic Commission while cutting weight the week of the fight. Then, last month, in the days before he was to fight Brian Ortega, he was ruled ineligible to fight due to concussion like symptoms. The scary part is his team remains uncertain how those symptoms came about because they did not believe he suffered any significant damage in the camp for the fight.




3) T.J. Dillashaw (16-3)

Height: 5’6

Birthday: February 7, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Cody Garbrandt – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018

– vs. Cody Garbrandt – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017

– vs. John Lineker – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 207 – December 30, 2016

– vs. Raphael Assuncao – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200 – July 9, 2016

– vs. Dominick Cruz – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – January 17, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Dillashaw did it again, finishing Cody Garbrandt this time in the first round. No matter what Joe Rogan says, Dominick Cruz is the best bantamweight ever. Regardless, Dillashaw is great now and may have a fight coming up against new flyweight champion Henry Cejudo. If not, I would hope to see Marlon Moraes get his first crack at a UFC title.



4) Tyron Woodley (18-3-1)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: April 17, 1982

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Demian Maia – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017

– vs. Stephen Thompson – Win via decision (split) – UFC 209: Woodley vs. Thompson 2 – March 4, 2017

– vs. Stephen Thompson – Draw via decision – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016

– vs. Robbie Lawler – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 201: Lawler vs. Woodley – July 30, 2016

– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Win via decision (split) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Darren Till – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018

Comment: Woodley really wants to fight interim champion Colby Covington, but instead will have to defend his UFC championship against undefeated Darren Till next month in Dallas.



5) 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:

– vs. Conor McGregor – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018




6) “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 15, 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:

– vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018



7) Robert Whittaker (20-4)

Height: 6′

Birthday: December 20, 1990

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Yoel Romero – Win via decision (split) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018

– vs. Yoel Romero – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017

– vs. Jacare Souza – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017

– vs. Derek Brunson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 26, 2016

– vs. Rafael Natal – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 197: Jones vs. St. Preux – April 23, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – TBA

Comment: Whittaker is currently filming season 28 of The Ultimate Fighter opposite his next challenger, Kelvin Gastelum. The TUF season features heavyweights and female featherweights with the Finale scheduled for November 30. The next middleweight title fight has not yet been confirmed for a particular card.



8) Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (27-3-1)

Height: 5’3

Birthday: August 13, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Henry Cejudo – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018

– vs. Ray Borg – Win via submission (armbar) – UFC 216 – October 7, 2017

– vs. Wilson Reis – Win via submission (armbar) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017

– vs. Tim Elliott – Win via decision (unanimous) – TUF Finale – December 3, 2016

– vs. Henry Cejudo – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 197 – April 23, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Demetrious lost Saturday night for the first time in nearly seven years! He laid waste to the flyweight division 12 times, setting the record for consecutive UFC championship defenses and that reign is now over.



9) Henry Cejudo (13-2)

Height: 5’4

Birthday: February 9, 1987

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Demetrious Johnson – Win via decision (split) – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018

– vs. Sergio Pettis – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017

– vs. Wilson Reis – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 215 – September 9, 2017

– vs. Joseph Benavidez – Loss via decision (split) – UFC TUF Finale – December 3, 2016

– vs. Demetrious Johnson – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 197 – April 23, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: The Olympic gold medalist came into MMA with a ton of hype in 2013. He went undefeated into his first fight with Demetrious Johnson two years ago and was stopped in the first round. Now, he will forever be known as the man who stopped Demetrious’ amazing run atop the flyweight division. Following his championship win, Cejudo challenged the eventual bantamweight champion (T.J. Dillashaw), saying he would gladly move up to 135-pounds.



10) Stipe Miocic (18-3)

Birthday: August 19, 1982

Height: 6’4

Weight: 245

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Daniel Cormier – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018

– vs. Francis Ngannou – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 220 – January 20, 2018

– vs. Junior dos Santos – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 211 – May 13, 2017

– vs. Alistair Overeem – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem – September 10, 2016

– vs. Fabricio Werdum – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic – May 14, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



11) Gegard Mousasi (44-6-2)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: August 1, 1985

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Rafael Carvalho – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 200 – May 25, 2018

– vs. Alexander Shlemenko – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 185 – October 20, 2017

– vs. Chris Weidman – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 210 – April 6, 2017

– vs. Uriah Hall – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016

– vs. Vitor Belfort – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 204 – October 8, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Rory MacDonald – Bellator MMA – September 29, 2018



12) Tony 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



13) Brian Ortega (14-0, 1 NC)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: February 21, 1991

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Frankie Edgar – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 222 – March 3, 2018

– vs. Cub Swanson – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night – December 9, 2017

– vs. Renato Moicano – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017

– vs. Clay Guida – Win via KO (knee) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping – June 4, 2016

– vs. Diego Brandao – Win via submission (triangle choke) – UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit – January 2, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



14) Georges St. Pierre (26-2)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: May 19, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Michael Bisping – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017

– vs. Johny Hendricks – Win via decision (split) – UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks – November 16, 2013

– vs. Nick Diaz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 158: St. Pierre vs. Diaz – March 16, 2013

– vs. Carlos Condit – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 154: St. Pierre vs. Condit – November 17, 2012

– vs. Jake Shields – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields – April 30, 2011

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: GSP turned down a fight with Nate Diaz in hopes of securing a bigger payday. He’s reportedly considering a potential match-up with Anderson Silva but may be waiting on the winner of the McGregor/Nurmagomedov fight.



15) Ryan Bader (25-5)

Height: 6’2

Birthday: June 7, 1983

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. King Mo Lawal – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 199 – May 12, 2018

– vs. Linton Vassell – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 186 – November 3, 2017

– vs. Phil Davis – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 180 – June 24, 2017

– vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016

– vs. Ilir Latifi – Win via KO (knee) – UFC Fight Night – September 3, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Matt Mitrione – Bellator MMA – October 12, 2018

Comment: Bellator’s reigning light heavyweight champion, Bader, has his semi-final date with Matt Mitrione officially set for this October. The winner will move on to take on the Chael Sonnen/Fedor Emelianenko winner in the finals to crown the new Bellator heavyweight champion at some point in 2019. In the spring to advance, Bader finished King Mo in just 15 seconds, the fastest finish of the champion’s career.

Closing Comments:

Of the 15 fighters above, just three would be considered inactive for most of the year. Tony Ferguson (injury, expects to return before winter), Georges St. Pierre (seemingly waiting for a fight that interests him) and Brian Ortega (scheduled fights falling apart) make that group. Everyone else has either fought recently or is expected to compete before the end of the year. You can criticize the lack of superstars in MMA right now, but it’s a great sight to see the best active guys active and competing against one another.

The following list of fighters appeared in our P4P rankings in January 2018 but not on the list this month: Rafael dos Anjos, Stephen Thompson and Eddie Alvarez.