UFC Lightweight Rankings

Men’s Divisions
Heavyweight (265) – Light Heavyweight (205) – Middleweight (185) – Welterweight (170) – Lightweight (155) – Featherweight (145) – Bantamweight (135) – Flyweight (125)

Women’s Divisions
Women’s Featherweight (145) – Women’s Bantamweight (135) – Women’s Strawweight (115)

Our Ranking	ufc.com ranking		Last 3 Fights	Next Fight
		2017 UFC Signings: Mads Burnell Daniel Teymur Daniel Henry Justin Gaethje Desmond Green	2017 UFC Cuts: Mitch Clarke (retired) Tae Hyun Bang Reza Madadi Alessandro Ricci Yusuke Kasuya J.C. Cottrell Jason Novelli Felipe Oliveiri Leandro Silva Tony Sims Brendan O'Reilly Lukasz Sajewski
		Conor McGregor 21-3 (9-1 UFC)	W-Eddie Alvarez (TKO) W-Nate Diaz (DEC) L-Nate Diaz (SUB)
1	1	Tony Ferguson 23-3 (13-1 UFC)	W-Kevin Lee (SUB) W-Rafael dos Anjos (DEC) W-Lando Vannata (SUB)
2	2	Khabib Nurmagomedov 24-0 (8-0 UFC)	W-Michael Johnson (SUB) W-Darrell Horcher (TKO) W-Rafael dos Anjos (DEC)
3	4	Eddie Alvarez 28-5 (3-2 UFC)	NC-Dustin Poirier (NC) L-Conor McGregor (TKO) W-Rafael dos Anjos (TKO)	Justin Gaethje 12/02/2017
4	6	Nate Diaz 19-11 (14-9 UFC)	L-Conor McGregor (DEC) W-Conor McGregor (SUB) W-Michael Johnson (DEC)
5	5	Justin Gaethje 18-0 (1-0 UFC)	W-Michael Johnson (TKO) W-Luiz Firmino (TKO) W-Brian Foster (TKO)	Eddie Alvarez 12/02/2017
6	9	Michael Johnson 17-12 (9-8 UFC)	L-Justin Gaethje (TKO) L-Khabib Nurmagomedov (SUB) W-Dustin Poirier (KO)
7	3	Edson Barboza 19-4 (13-4 UFC)	W-Beneil Dariush (KO) W-Gilbert Melendez (DEC) W-Anthony Pettis (DEC)
8	7	Kevin Lee 16-3 (9-3 UFC)	L-Tony Ferguson (SUB) W-Michael Chiesa (SUB) W-Francisco Trinaldo (SUB)
9	13	Anthony Pettis 20-6 (7-5 UFC)	W-Jim Miller (DEC) L-Max Holloway (TKO) W-Charles Oliveira (SUB)	Dustin Poirier 11/11/2017
10	8	Dustin Poirier 21-5 (13-4 UFC)	NC-Eddie Alvarez (NC) W-Jim Miller (DEC) L-Michael Johnson (KO)	Anthony Pettis 11/11/2017
11	10	Michael Chiesa 14-3 (7-3 UFC)	L-Kevin Lee (SUB) W-Beneil Dariush (SUB) W-Jim Miller (SUB)
12	11	Al Iaquinta 13-3-1 (8-2 UFC)	W-Diego Sanchez (KO) W-Jorge Masvidal (DEC) W-Joe Lauzon (TKO)	Paul Felder 12/02/2017
13	12	Beneil Dariush 14-3-1 (8-3-1 UFC)	D-Evan Dunham (DEC) L-Edson Barboza (KO) W-Rashid Magomedov (DEC)
14	14	Evan Dunham 18-6-1 (11-6-1 UFC)	D-Beneil Dariush (DEC) W-Rick Glenn (DEC) W-Joe Lauzon (DEC)
15		Jim Miller 28-10 (17-9 UFC)	L-Anthony Pettis (DEC) L-Dustin Poirier (DEC) W-Thiago Alves (DEC)	Francisco Trinaldo 10/28/2017
16		Francisco Trinaldo 21-5 (11-4 UFC)	L-Kevin Lee (SUB) W-Paul Felder (TKO) W-Yancy Medeiros (DEC)	Jim Miller 10/28/2017
17		Paul Felder 14-3 (6-3 UFC)	W-Steven Ray (KO) W-Alessandro Ricci (TKO) L-Francisco Trinaldo (TKO)	Al Iaquinta 12/02/2017
18		Leonardo Santos 16-3-1 (5-0-1 UFC)	W-Adriano Martins (DEC) W-Kevin Lee (TKO) W-Tony Martin (SUB)
19		Charles Oliveira 22-7 (10-7 UFC)	W-Will Brooks (SUB) L-Ricardo Lamas (SUB) L-Anthony Pettis (SUB)
20		Will Brooks 18-3 (1-2 UFC)	L-Charles Oliveira (SUB) L-Alex Oliveira (SUB) W-Ross Pearson (DEC)
21		James Vick 11-1 (7-1 UFC)	W-Polo Reyes (TKO) W-Abel Trujillo (SUB) L-Beneil Dariush (KO)	Joseph Duffy 11/04/2017
22		Joseph Duffy 16-2 (4-1 UFC)	W-Reza Madadi (DEC) W-Mitch Clarke (SUB) L-Dustin Poirier (DEC)	James Vick 11/04/2017
23		Rashid Magomedov 20-2 (5-1 UFC)	W-Bobby Green (DEC) L-Beneil Dariush (DEC) W-Gilbert Burns (DEC)
24		Bobby Green 23-8-1 (4-3-1 UFC)	D-Lando Vannata (DEC) L-Rashid Magomedov (DEC) L-Dustin Poirier (KO)
25		Kajan Johnson 22-11-1 (3-1 UFC)	W-Adriano Martins (KO) W-Naoyuki Kotani (DEC) W-Zhang Lipeng (DEC)
26		Adriano Martins 28-9 (4-3 UFC)	L-Kajan Johnson (KO) L-Leonardo Santos (DEC) W-Islam Makhachev (TKO)
27		Rustam Khabilov 22-3 (8-2 UFC)	W-Desmond Green (DEC) W-Jason Saggo (DEC) W-Leandro Silva (DEC)
28		Islam Makhachev 14-1 (3-1 UFC)	W-Nik Lentz (DEC) W-Chris Wade (DEC) L-Adriano Martins (TKO)
29		Steven Ray 21-7 (5-2 UFC)	L-Paul Felder (KO) W-Joe Lauzon (DEC) W-Ross Pearson (DEC)
30		Joe Lauzon 27-13 (14-10 UFC)	L-Steven Ray (DEC) W-Marcin Held (DEC) L-Jim Miller (DEC)	Clay Guida 11/11/2017
31		Diego Sanchez 27-10 (16-10 UFC)	L-Al Iaquinta (KO) W-Marcin Held (DEC) L-Joe Lauzon (TKO)	Matt Brown 11/11/2017
32		Clay Guida 33-17 (13-11 UFC)	W-Erik Koch (DEC) L-Brian Ortega (KO) L-Thiago Tavares (SUB)	Joe Lauzon 11/11/2017
33		David Teymur 6-1 (3-0 UFC)	W-Lando Vannata (DEC) W-Jason Novelli (KO) W-Martin Svensson (TKO)	Drakkar Klose 12/02/2017
34		Lando Vannata 9-2-1 (1-2-1 UFC)	D-Bobby Green (DEC) L-David Teymur (DEC) W-John Makdessi (KO)
35		Michel Prazeres 23-2 (7-2 UFC)	W-Mads Burnell (SUB) W-Josh Burkman (SUB) W-Gilbert Burns (DEC)
36	15	Mairbek Taisumov 26-5 (6-1 UFC)	W-Felipe Silva (KO) W-Damir Hadzovic (KO) W-Alan Patrick (TKO)
37		Gilbert Burns 12-2 (5-2 UFC)	W-Jason Saggo (KO) L-Michel Prazeres (DEC) W-Lukasz Sajewski (SUB)
38		Olivier Aubin-Mercier 10-2 (6-2 UFC)	W-Tony Martin (DEC) W-Drew Dober (SUB) W-Thibault Gouti (SUB)
39		Magomed Mustafaev 13-2 (2-1 UFC)	L-Kevin Lee (SUB) W-Joe Proctor (TKO) W-Piotr Hallmann (TKO)
40		Daniel Hooker 14-7 (4-3 UFC)	W-Ross Pearson (KO) L-Jason Knight (DEC) W-Mark Eddiva (SUB)
41		Ross Pearson 19-14 (11-11 UFC)	L-Dan Hooker (KO) L-Steven Ray (DEC) L-Jorge Masvidal (DEC)
42		Nik Lentz 27-8-2 (11-5-1 UFC)	L-Islam Makhachev (DEC) W-Michael McBride (TKO) W-Danny Castillo (DEC)
43		Gregor Gillespie 10-0 (3-0 UFC)	W-Jason Gonzalez (SUB) W-Andrew Holbrook (KO) W-Glaico Franca (DEC)
44		Alan Patrick 14-1 (4-1 UFC)	W-Steven Ray (DEC) W-Damien Brown (DEC) L-Mairbek Taisumov (TKO)
45		Tony Martin 12-4 (4-4 UFC)	L-Olivier Aubin-Mercier (DEC) W-Johnny Case (DEC) W-Alex White (DEC)
46		Drakkar Klose 8-0-1 (2-0 UFC)	W-Marc Diakiese (DEC) W-Devin Powell (DEC) W-Hugh Pulley (DEC)	David Teymur 12/02/2017
47		Vinc Pichel 10-1 (3-1 UFC)	W-Damien Brown (KO) W-Anthony Njokuani (DEC) W-Garett Whiteley (DEC)
48		Chris Wade 12-3 (5-2 UFC)	W-Frankie Perez (DEC) L-Islam Makhachev (DEC) L-Rustam Khabilov (DEC)
49		Nick Hein 14-2-1 (4-1 UFC)	W-Tae Hyun Bang (DEC) W-Yusuke Kasuya (DEC) W-Lukasz Sajewski (DEC)
50		Drew Dober 18-8 (4-4 UFC)	W-Josh Burkman (KO) L-Olivier Aubin-Mercier (SUB) W-Jason Gonzalez (KO)
51		Desmond Green 20-6 (1-1 UFC)	L-Rustam Khabilov (DEC) W-Josh Emmett (DEC) W-Martin Brown (DEC)
52		Erik Koch 15-5 (4-4 UFC)	L-Clay Guida (DEC) W-Shane Campbell (SUB) L-Daron Cruickshank (TKO)
53		Abel Trujillo 14-8 (5-4 UFC)	L-James Vick (SUB) W-Jordan Rinaldi (DEC) W-Tony Sims (SUB)	John Makdessi 12/16/2017
54		Marc Diakiese 12-1 (3-1 UFC)	L-Drakkar Klose (DEC) W-Teemu Packalen (KO) W-Frankie Perez (DEC)
55		Damir Hadzovic 11-3 (1-1 UFC)	W-Marcin Held (KO) L-Mairbek Taisumov (KO) W-Ivan Musardo (TKO)
56		Marcin Held 22-7 (0-3 UFC)	L-Damir Hadzovic (KO) L-Joe Lauzon (DEC) L-Diego Sanchez (DEC)	Nasrat Haqparast 10/21/2017
57		Joaquim Silva 10-0 (3-0 UFC)	W-Reza Madadi (DEC) W-Andrew Holbrook (KO) W-Nazareno Malegarie (DEC)
58		John Makdessi 14-6 (7-6 UFC)	L-Lando Vannata (KO) W-Mehdi Baghdad (DEC) L-Yancy Medeiros (DEC)	Abel Trujillo 12/16/2017
59		Jake Matthews 10-3 (4-3 UFC)	L-Andrew Holbrook (DEC) L-Kevin Lee (TKO) W-Johnny Case (SUB)	Bojan Velickovic 11/18/2017
60		Johnny Case 17-6 (4-2 UFC)	L-Tony Martin (DEC) L-Jake Matthews (SUB) W-Yan Cabral (DEC)
61		Josh Emmett 11-1 (2-1 UFC)	L-Desmond Green (DEC) W-Scott Holtzman (DEC) W-Jon Tuck (DEC)	Felipe Arantes 10/21/2017
62		Jason Saggo 12-4 (3-3 UFC)	L-Gilbert Burns (KO) L-Rustam Khabilov (DEC) W-Leandro Silva (DEC)
63		Damien Brown 17-10 (2-2 UFC)	L-Vinc Pichel (KO) W-Jon Tuck (DEC) W-Cesar Arzamendia (KO)	Frank Camacho 11/18/2017
64		Jon Tuck 10-4 (4-4 UFC)	W-Takanori Gomi (SUB) L-Damien Brown (DEC) L-Josh Emmett (DEC)
65		Felipe Silva 8-1 (1-1 UFC)	L-Mairbek Taisumov (KO) W-Shane Campbell (TKO) W-Anton Kuivanen (TKO)
66		Frankie Perez 10-4 (1-3 UFC)	L-Chris Wade (DEC) L-Marc Diakiese (DEC) W-Sam Stout (TKO)
67		Scott Holtzman 9-2 (2-2 UFC)	W-Michael McBride (DEC) L-Josh Emmett (DEC) W-Cody Pfister (DEC)	Darrell Horcher 12/09/2017
68		Josh Burkman 28-16 (6-11 UFC)	L-Drew Dober (KO) L-Michel Prazeres (SUB) L-Zak Ottow (DEC)
69		Teemu Packalen 8-2 (1-2 UFC)	L-Marc Diakiese (KO) W-Thibault Gouti (SUB) L-Mickael Lebout (DEC)
70		Thibault Gouti 12-3 (1-3 UFC)	W-Andrew Holbrook (TKO) L-Chad Laprise (TKO) L-Olivier Aubin-Mercier (SUB)
71		Andrew Holbrook 11-3 (2-3 UFC)	L-Thibault Gouti (TKO) L-Gregor Gillespie (KO) W-Jake Matthews (DEC)
72		Alex White 12-3 (3-3 UFC)	W-Mitch Clarke (TKO) L-Tony Martin (DEC) W-Artem Lobov (DEC)
73		Darrell Horcher 13-2 (1-1 UFC)	W-Devin Powell (DEC) L-Khabib Nurmagomedov (TKO) W-Stephen Regman (TKO)	Scott Holtzman 12/09/2017
74		Jason Gonzalez 11-4 (1-2 UFC)	L-Gregor Gillespie (SUB) W-J.C. Cottrell (SUB) L-Drew Dober (KO)
75		Polo Reyes 6-2 (3-1 UFC)	L-James Vick (TKO) W-Jason Novelli (DEC) W-Dong Hyun Kim (KO)
76		Dong Hyun Kim 15-8-3 (2-2 UFC)	W-Takanori Gomi (TKO) W-Brendan O'Reilly (DEC) L-Polo Reyes (KO)
77		Daniel Henry 11-2 (1-0 UFC)	W-Daniel Teymur (DEC) W-Igeu Kabesa (SUB) W-Wade Groth (TKO)
78		Jordan Rinaldi 13-5 (1-1 UFC)	W-Alvaro Herrera (SUB) L-Abel Trujillo (DEC) W-Lashawn Alcocks (SUB)
79		Mads Burnell 8-2 (0-1 UFC)	L-Michel Prazeres (SUB) W-Fernando Bagordache (SUB) W-Anthony Riggio (SUB)
80		Daniel Teymur 6-1 (0-1 UFC)	L-Daniel Henry (DEC) W-Manolo Scianna (TKO) W-Davor Matic (SUB)
81		Takanori Gomi 35-14 (4-9 UFC)	L-Dong Hyun Kim (TKO) L-Jon Tuck (SUB) L-Jim Miller (TKO)
82		Devin Powell 8-3 (0-2 UFC)	L-Darrell Horcher (DEC) L-Drakkar Klose (DEC) W-Jonathan Lemke (SUB)
83		Michael McBride 8-3 (0-2 UFC)	L-Scott Holtzman (DEC) L-Nik Lentz (TKO) W-Derek Loffer (SUB)
84		Claudio Puelles 7-2 (0-1 UFC)	L-Martin Bravo (TKO) W-Marcelo Rojo (DEC) W-Pablo Sabori (SUB)
85		Alvaro Herrera 7-5 (1-2 UFC)	L-Jordan Rinaldi (SUB) L-Vicente Luque (SUB) W-Vernon Ramos (KO)

		Ineligible for Rankings * Suspension * Inactivity>15 months * Moving Divisions * Yet to debut

		Gleison Tibau 32-11 (17-9 UFC)	W-Abel Trujillo (SUB) L-Tony Ferguson (SUB) W-Norman Parke (DEC)
		Matt Wiman 16-7 (10-5 UFC)	W-Isaac Vallie-Flagg (DEC) L-T.J. Grant (KO) W-Paul Sass (SUB)
		Carlos Diego Ferreira 12-2 (3-2 UFC)	W-Olivier Aubin-Mercier (DEC) L-Dustin Poirier (KO) L-Beneil Dariush (DEC)
		Joe Ellenberger 15-2 (1-1 UFC)	L-Brian Barberena (TKO) W-James Moontasri (DEC) W-Joe Wilk (TKO)

UFC Rankings FAQ
* These rankings are not official, nor do they reflect any affiliation with, sponsorship, or endorsement by the UFC. The rankings generated by the UFC can be found here.
UFC Rankings are comprised of all fighters currently signed to the UFC. RankingMMA has been publishing UFC rankings since 2006. So, how do we compile our rankings? What separates us from other web sites that formulate rankings? Here is our rankings criteria: - Most recent performance - Performance against top competition - Estimated ability against future competition - Strength of competition - Activity in the last 3 years - Last 5 fights There are many fighters sporting undefeated records from developing fight scenes, especially abroad. Something we take into consideration is the strength of competition they have faced. If a fighter has compiled a bunch of wins against competition that is lackluster they will likely have a difficult time moving up in the rankings until they face stiffer competition in order for us to accurately predict how they would perform against exceedingly tougher competition. If a fighter has fought elite competition and fallen short, we factor in how they performed. If a fighter fairs well against a higher-ranked adversary, they could still move up in the rankings. Actual fight footage is reviewed, regardless of promotion in order to formulate our rankings. = Fighter moves up in the rankings after recent fight = Fighter moves down in the rankings after recent fight Reasons a fighter is ineligible for UFC Rankings = Inactivity over 15 months = Changing weight classes. A fighter must debut in their new weight class in order to officially be ranked there. Upon their debut, they will be removed from their former weight class. If the fighter temporarily competed outside of their division, they will be ranked in their primary division unless the fighter states different. = Suspension. Should a fighter be suspended for performance enhancing substances or fighter conduct, they will be removed from the rankings. = Info Needed. A fighter has signed or re-signed with the UFC, but have yet to officially fight in the UFC.

jerjapan

Mitch Clark at 45 isn’t right.
yossgold

Sooooooo, Cerrone moves above Khabib who dominated Dos Anjos who dominated Cerrone and is #2 because he beat Alvarez (he may be considered a contender, but it has never been proven)? I don’t get that logic. I get RDA moving to second even though he lost to Khabib on account of Khabib’s inactivity, but I don’t see how Cerrone can move above Khabib until he either beats him or someone ranked above him (i.e. Not Eddie Alvarez).
Joe

Kevin Lee – 6 wins over absolutely no one, no UFC wins; Norman Parke – 3 legit UFC wins, a draw against a BJJ world champ who was on a 6 fight win streak and TUF Brazil winner which many thought he won and without it he’d be on a 9 fight win streak. How on heaven’s earth can he be ranked under Kevin Lee????
- Joe
  
  Kevin Lee is ranked WAY too high … he’s done absolutely nothing.
  - D.C. Ross
    
    Lee does hold a win over Mansour Barnaoui, who is considered one of the top Lightweights prospects in the world right now. Lee looked pretty darn good against Iaquinta as well. Parke is on a solid winning streak, but the jury is still on whether he can beat an accomplished wrestler. Parke should have gotten the decision over Santos. I definitely will go back and look at their last few fights to see if I have Lee ranked too high.
D.C. Ross

He is moving to Featherweight, and because he officially has been booked for a fight at 145 lbs. he was removed from the Lightweight rankings. His profile can now be found in the Featherweight rankings.
cblo

Miles Jury needs to be moved up. Handed ‘Menace’ a whooping and is now 4-0 in ufc.
- D.C. Ross
  
  I understand ranking him above Johnson due to his dominating win over him, but do you think Jury should be ranked ahead of Lauzon, Tibau, Barboza, Masvidal, and Pearson as well?
  
  Let me see what your 11-20 rankings would look like, so I can have a better idea of what you’re thinking. The way I see it is Johnson leapfrogged a bunch of guys because of his win over Lauzon, who was clearly Top 15 at the time, thanks to finish wins over Varner and Guillard.
lou

It seems odd that Michael Johnson is so much higher than Jury, no?
- D.C. Ross
  
  I could definitely see the argument that Johnson should be lower in the rankings, but then I would have to drop Lauzon as well, who has recent finish victories over Varner and Guillard. Jury is a top notch talent, but ranking him above guys like Tibau, Varner, Barboza, Pearson, etc. is probably just a bit too soon for him.
  
  The Lauzon win was huge for Johnson and gave him a big push up the ranks. Meanwhile, Jury has sort of been stuck in neutral. He picked up a dominant win over Ramsey Nijem, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot. Even a win over Ricci won’t move Jury up the ranks too much. Wins over lesser ranked competition just don’t mean as much as a win over Lauzon, which is why Johnson currently sits ahead of Jury.
  
  Do you think Jury should be ranked ahead of the following: Gleison Tibau, Edson Barboza, Jamie Varner, Ross Pearson, Melvin Guillard, Jorge Masvidal, or Joe Lauzon. Jury is on the brink of a top ranking, but until he beats one of those guys I mentioned, he’s likely stuck around that 20-30 range.
  
  If you want, provide me with your own Top 25 rankings, so I can maybe see how you would be ranking the division. Thanks for the comment.
Joe

Pat Healy’s suspension not accounted for?

(Suspended by NJSACB until July 19th, 2013)
- D.C. Ross
  
  Totally forgot, since Healy was included in the ufc.com/rankings, it slipped past me. Thanks for the save.
Leo Corrêa

Khabib Nurmagomedov might be in a better position. Guys, look at his record… why he’s on 9th position in this rank, while fighters like Dos Anjos, Cerrone and Pettis are above it?
- rankingmma
  
  Nurmagomedov is not ranked above the guys you mentioned because he has yet to win consistently against top-level competition. His most notable win is over Gleison Tibau, but to most people who watched and scored that fight, it was a very controversial decision. His 19-0 record is remarkable, and I believe he has a very bright future in the sport. Khabib has been calling out Nate Diaz, and that is likely the type of fight that could propel him into title contention.
  
  Why do you think Nurmagomedov should be ranked ahead of Anthony Pettis or Donald Cerrone? I would understand your argument for possibly ranking him above Dos Anjos, but the other guys not so much.
Mario Rabelo

I liked this ranking a lot. Most people dont see dos Anjos so high but he has showed tremendous development on his last fights. Guillard is a little overated. But everything else looks great. Congratulations!
- admin
  
  Thank you. Dos Anjos is on a solid winning streak and a lot of the other fringe contenders have suffered recent losses (Tibau, Dunham, Guillard, Barboza, Bocek). I think dos Anjos could surprise, his loss to Guida was due to injury, and that fight was going to be a close decision. Otherwise, the Tibau loss is dos Anjos’ only recent blemish.
MrOrange

I don’t see Guillard as even a top 15 lw. definately not a top 10.
- admin
  
  Guillard’s winning streak in 2010 is the reason he hasn’t fallen farther. When Guillard finished Dunham, he was on the verge of a title shot. People forget that Dunham was scheduled to face Kenny Florian in what may have been a #1 contender fight for the LW division. Guillard’s only losses have come to the elite of the division (Diaz, Miller, Cerrone). All the fighters ranked below him have lost to lesser fighters in recent years. I do think Guillard is overrated, but the guys below him have never beaten a top guy.
MrOrange

To admin

Ive stuck in there with your site. Glad you have it running much better, good job bro. 🙂
- admin
  
  Thank you for the support!
dWd

Q. What do you get if you cross a Jim Miller with a Nate Diaz A. a T.J.Grant
- admin
  
  I was sleeping on Grant going into his fight with Dunham. Many people forget that he nearly knocked off Johny Hendricks at WW. Grant can do some damage at LW, and definitely can give guys like Guida, Lauzon, or Guillard a run for their money. Can’t wait for him to get a crack at a Top 10 fighter.
dWd

Nurmagomedov should be ranked ahead of Tibau,who could be ranked higher here.i think barboza is overrated at the moment.
- admin
  
  The lightweight division from 10-20 is a complete mess. Nurmagomedov beat Tibau in a very debatable decision. Should Nurmagomedov be rewarded for that decision by being ranked above Rafael Dos Anjos, Jeremy Stephens, Sotiropoulos? At this point, Nurmagomedov moved up the ranks significantly with the close decision win, but I can’t justify putting him with the mid-tier elite of the division just yet.
  
  Barboza’s ranking is overrated, but his skills aren’t. Barboza won a couple of close decisions over Pearson and Njokuani before the highlight-reel KO of Terry Etim. That knockout definitely had him on the verge of title contention. Considering the recent losses by Tibau, Stephens, and Sotiropoulos, he is still hanging around between 11-15.
  - dWd
    
    YES HE SHOULD. all those guys you mention, AND mark bocek deserve to be ranked ahead of barboza right now. i will watch the tibau vs nurmagomedov fight again but i don’t remember being anything but impressed with him getting a “unanimous decision” over one of the best in the division.
    - admin
      
      I am hoping the lightweight scene sorts itself out soon. Bocek needs a signature win. He has proven his merits against mid-level competition and gave Jim Miller all he could handle, but the fact remains, he has never beaten a top 20 fighter (Lentz was around #25).
      
      Terry Etim was a bordline Top 20 fighter prior to Barboza beating him. Also, it wasn’t just a decision win for Barboza, it was a huge knockout.
      
      It comes down to Barboza’s wins over Etim and Pearson outweighing the guys ranked below him. Rafael Dos Anjos is on a solid run, but his recent loss to Tibau holds him back. Same thing for Tibau, he was looking solid up until the decision loss to Nurmagomedov. Stephens’ biggest win in recent years is Marcus Davis, in a fight he was losing until a 3rd round knockout. All of these fighters have some sort of hiccup on their resume. I’m not trying to discount Barboza’s loss against Varner, but all of the guys below him have experienced the same thing.
      
      Thanks for the solid info. I agree with a lot of your points. I am not trying to persuade you to why I ranked so-and-so, I’m just trying to point out how I am seeing things at this current stage.
  - dWd
    
    i just watched the tibau vs khabib fight again,i don’t have a problem with the result,khabib pressed the action the whole way using wild striking to get in on single leg takedowns over and over,tibau stuffed everyone of em and even landed a couple solid knees to khabib as he was coming in ,but khabib walked through them and was rellentless keeping tibau backed up to the cage and defending for the whole fight. tibau did land two takedowns,but khabib popped straight back up and went back on the attack.
    - admin
      
      I remember it being close as well. It was the fallout of the rankings that I had trouble with. Does Nurmagomedov really deserve to be ranked ahead of Dos Anjos, Sotiropoulos, and Bocek for one controversial decision win? I couldn’t punish Tibau either because he has proven his skills against Dos Anjos and Stephens.
      
      I am doing the same thing that I previously did with all of the wild Leonard Garcia decisions. I wasn’t going to penalize Chan Sung Jung or Nam Phan because the judges couldn’t get the scorecards right.
      
      Like I said, I will watch the fight again and see if Nurmagomedov did enough to win the fight. Obviously the judges thought so, but pretty much every website doing play-by-play had Tibau winning that fight.
admin

Siver announced his move down to the UFC featherweight division following his loss to Cerrone.
admin

Penn has been added to the UFC welterweight division.
Andy

i cant believe Edson Barboza lost it’s been my favorita since he joined the UFC
SVN

why is edson barboza in n16 and donald cerrone in number 8 if barboza is 4-0 in ufc and cerrone 4-1? and barboza has greatest knockouts than cerrone…
- admin
  
  Cerrone has faced stiffer competition thus far in his career. Barboza may be 4-0 in the UFC, but 2 of his wins were razor-thin decisions over Anthony Njokuani and Ross Pearson. Barboza may be the next big thing in the 155-pound division, but he will have to prove himself against high-level competition first.
Beighz

Nate Diaz – OVER-RATED
- admin
  
  Overrated at 170 maybe, but at 155 Diaz was fairly solid. He lost to Gray Maynard in a close fight and easily defeated Melvin Guillard. He lost a couple of fights to Joe Stevenson and Clay Guida, who simply held Diaz down for 3 rounds. I think Diaz needs a big win at 155 to show he is still a factor.