MMA Fighter Rankings: Lightweight
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On the first Wednesday of every month, theScore's MMA editors compile a list of the top 10 fighters in each of the major weight classes.
Rankings
Heavyweight | Light Heavyweight
Middleweight | Welterweight
Lightweight | Featherweight
Bantamweight | Flyweight
Women: Bantamweight | Strawweight
Lightweight
| Ranking | Fighter |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael dos Anjos |
| 2 | Anthony Pettis |
| 3 | Donald Cerrone |
| 4 | Khabib Nurmagomedov |
| 5 | Eddie Alvarez |
| 6 | Benson Henderson |
| 7 | Tony Ferguson |
| 8 | Will Brooks |
| 9 | Beneil Dariush |
| 10 | Michael Johnson |
- Rafael dos Anjos will defend his UFC lightweight title for the first time at UFC on FOX 17 when he faces the streaking Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone. The lightweight division's foremost purveyor of violence, Cerrone is 8-0 since dropping a decision to dos Anjos in 2013.
- After more than a year on the shelf with a knee injury, Dagestani buzzsaw Khabib Nurmagomedov will finally return against the dangerous Tony Ferguson at the TUF 22 Finale in December. In his last trip to the Octagon, Nurmagomedov thoroughly dominated current champion dos Anjos.
- Eddie Alvarez is looking to build on his come-from-behind victory over Gilbert Melendez when he steps into the Octagon against former champion Anthony Pettis in January. Pettis hasn't fought since losing his title to dos Anjos in March.
- Set to defend his Bellator title against Marcin Held in November, Will Brooks, who hasn't tasted defeat since 2013, is looking to run his winning streak to eight.