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 | Tony Ferguson |
| 7 | Will Brooks |
| 8 | Beneil Dariush |
| 9 | Michael Johnson |
| 10 | Al Iaquinta |
- Rafael dos Anjos is set to defend his lightweight title for the first time against a familiar opponent in Donald Cerrone at UFC on FOX 17. Dos Anjos first faced "Cowboy" in 2013, emerging from UFC FIght Night 27 with a unanimous decision victory.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov's return was delayed ... again. Unable to shake the injury bug, Nurmagomedov was forced to pull out of an upcoming bout against Tony Ferguson at the TUF 22 Finale in December. Riding a six-fight winning streak, Ferguson will instead tangle with Edson Barboza at the Dec. 11 event.
- Former lightweight kingpin Benson Henderson drops out of the top 10 after competing in his second consecutive bout at welterweight. Henderson's recent victory over Jorge Masvidal signaled the final fight of his UFC contract, sending "Bendo" into potential free agency.
- Will Brooks held onto his Bellator title in November, besting grappling ace Marcin Held via unanimous decision at Bellator 145. When a fan on Twitter suggested a free agent Henderson should be Brooks' next challenger, "Ill Will" called the fantasy matchup "Easy Work."