MMA Fighter Rankings: Lightweight

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

• Anthony Pettis will once again use his gravity-defying offense to try and enter the Matrix when he defends his lightweight title against grappling ace Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185 on March 14. 
• After 13 months on the shelf, Dagestani buzzsaw Khabib Nurmagomedov makes his return to the Octagon at UFC 187 against Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone. With both men riding a six-fight winning streak in the UFC, the winner will likely get the next shot at the 155-pound crown.
• Tony Ferguson burst into the top ten with a slick rear-naked choke victory over division stalwart Gleison Tibau at UFC 184.
• Eddie Alvarez, who lost his Octagon debut against top contender Donald Cerrone in September, will look to break into the top five when he takes on former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez at UFC 188.