The Rankings are just that – The MMA Manifesto’s rankings of the best fighters in mixed martial arts today. Check back every Monday and Friday for our rankings of a different weight class. Next up: The Lightweight Rankings.
Voting Panel: Jeff Fox, Daniel Vreeland, Ryan MacDonald, and Ricky Leone.
*stipulations: 1) any fighter currently suspended or 2) inactive for at least 12 months (without an upcoming fight scheduled) are excluded from the rankings
CLICK ON FIGHTER’S NAME FOR DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT
The Lightweight Rankings
1) (Last rankings: 1) Conor McGregor – UFC Lightweight Champion – 40 points (out of 40)
Record: 21-3
Last Five Fights: 4-1
Record vs Top 10: 2-1 (W-Alvarez, W-Diaz, L-Diaz)
Next Fight: TBA
The man continues to defy all expectations. And apparently he’s the lightweight division’s problem full-time now.
2) (2) Eddie Alvarez – UFC – 32 points
Record: 28-5
Last Five Fights: 3-2
Record vs Top 10: 3-2 (L-McGregor, W-dos Anjos, W-Melendez, W-Chandler, L-Chandler)
Next Fight: TBA
That was a quick reign at the top
3) (tied) (3) Khabib Nurmagomedov – UFC – 31 points
Record: 24-0
Last Five Fights: 5-0
Record vs Top 10: 1-0 (W-dos Anjos)
Next Fight: vs #3 Tony Ferguson – UFC 209 – Mar 4th
The Eagle’s biggest challenge to his perfect record is up next.
3) (tied) (3) Tony Ferguson – UFC – 31 points
Record: 23-3
Last Five Fights: 5-0
Record vs Top 10: 2-0 (W-dos Anjos, W-Barboza)
Next Fight: vs #3 Khabib Nurmagomedov – UFC 209 – Mar 4th
Will El Cucuy be the first man to solve the Khabib riddle?
5) (5) Rafael dos Anjos – UFC – 25 points
Record: 25-9
Last Five Fights: 3-2
Record vs Top 10: 2-3 (L-Ferguson, L-Alvarez, W-Henderson, W-Diaz, L-Nurmagomedov)
Next Fight: TBA
RDA is thinking a move to welterweight will resurrect his career.
6) (6) Edson Barboza – UFC – 19 points
Record: 18-4
Last Five Fights: 3-2
Record vs Top 10: 1-1 (W-Melendez, L-Ferguson)
Next Fight: vs Beneil Dariush – UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs Gastelum – Mar 11th
Junior has notched up back-to-back big wins over top-ranked opponents.
7) (tied) (7) Michael Chiesa – UFC – 10 points
Record: 14-2
Last Five Fights: 4-1
Record vs Top 10: 0-0
Next Fight: TBA
The TUF winner is starting to come into his own and become a real player at lightweight.
7) (tied) (7) Michael Chandler – Bellator Lightweight Champion – 10 points
Record: 16-3
Last Five Fights: 4-1
Record vs Top 10: 0-0 (W-Henderson, L-Alvarez, W-Alvarez)
Next Fight: TBA
You could argue that besting Benson Henderson was the biggest win in Chandler’s career.
9) (9) Nate Diaz – UFC – 8 points
Record: 19-11
Last Five Fights: 3-2
Record vs Top 10: 1-3 (L-McGregor, W-McGregor, L-dos Anjos, L-Henderson)
Next Fight: TBA
Nate Diaz has become one of the biggest stars in the sport.
10) (tied) (10) Benson Henderson – Bellator – 4 points
Record: 24-7
Last Five Fights: 3-2
Record vs Top 10: 2-2 (L-Chandler, L-dos Anjos, W-Melendez, W-Diaz)
Next Fight: TBA
The move to Bellator hasn’t gone very smoothly for Smooth.
10) (tied) (10) Gilbert Melendez – UFC – 4 points
Record: 22-6
Last Five Fights: 1-4
Record vs Top 10: 1-2 (L-Barboza, L-Alvarez, L-Henderson)
Next Fight: TBA
El Nino has hit a stormy patch in his career lately.
Bubbling under: Alex Oliveira, Will Brooks, Beneil Dariush
Rankings:
Heavyweights
Light Heavyweights
Middleweights
Welterweights
Featherweights
Bantamweights
Flyweights
Women’s Bantamweights
Women’s Strawweights
Pound for Pound
Non-UFC Fighters
Check back on Friday for our Featherweight rankings
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