MMA Fighter Rankings: Featherweight
Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY
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
| Ranking | Fighter |
|---|---|
| 1 | Conor McGregor |
| 2 | Jose Aldo |
| 3 | Frankie Edgar |
| 4 | Chad Mendes |
| 5 | Max Holloway |
| 6 | Ricardo Lamas |
| 7 | Cub Swanson |
| 8 | Charles Oliveira |
| 9 | Daniel Straus |
| 10 | Patricio Freire |
- The featherweight title will be on hold for the near future as Conor McGregor moves up to 155 pounds for a superfight with lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 196 in March. That announcement means ex-champ Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar will have to wait in line for their shot at McGregor, or possibly even fight each other in the meantime.
- Knocking on the door of the top 10 is Japanese superstar Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri. The 37-year-old is 3-1 in the UFC and has been asking for a big-name opponent. His Feb. 21 opponent, Dennis Bermudez, might not be what he was looking for, but the tough Bermudez was shaping up to be a contender before two straight losses sent him to the back of the line. This is an important fight to keep both men hovering near the upper echelon of a stacked division.
- A key featherweight match was announced for Cub Swanson and Hacran Dias. The two fighters are heading in opposite directions, with Swanson losing two straight and Dias winning two in a row, yet it's Swanson who has the greater reputation. Dias could make a huge splash if he's able to knock off a desperate and dangerous Swanson at UFC on FOX 19 in April.