Lightweight Rankings - Outside the UFC

A review and ranking of the top MMA Lightweight fighters not under contract with the UFC - August 2009

Pro Fighting Fans MMA staff writer Nick Russell takes a look at the Top 10 MMA Lightweights outside of the UFC.

1. Joachim Hansen (19-7-1) – “Hellboy” is top dog, winning 4 of his last 5 bouts while fighting mostly for DREAM. He has defeated some of the world’s best lightweights over the course of his 10 year career.He holds wins over the likes of Takanori Gomi, Gesias Cavalcante, Caol Uno, and most recently Shinya Aoki. The rubber match between Aoki and Hansen will take place at DREAM 11 on October 9 for the promotional lightweight belt.
2. Shinya Aoki (21-4) – The DREAM posterboy has been on fire since settling into the promotion a year and a half ago. He has posted a 7-2-1 record over that span, fighting all but one fight for DREAM. He makes a habit of submitting his opponents (12 submissions); however his last two performances were lackluster, at best. Aoki will try and reclaim his top spot when he meets Joachim Hansen at DREAM 11 on October 9th.
3. Eddie Alvarez (18-2) – The new Bellator lightweight champion has won 8 of his past 9 bouts, fighting in Bodog Fight, Elite XC, DREAM, K-1, and now Bellator FC events. His lone loss during that span was a 1st round submission loss courtesy of Shinya Aoki. The Philadelphia product has finished 16 of his 18 opponents that he owns victories against. He was expected to see Gesias Cavalcante at DREAM 11 but took his name out after a busy summer and limited training preparation.
4. Satoru Kitaoka (25-8-9) – Eleven wins out of twelve fights against top level opponents puts the Sengoku lightweight champion in a comfortable position among the top lightweights in the world. He owns victories over many top fighters, the most recognizable opponents to fall to Kitaoka: Carlos Condit, Kurt Pellegrino, and Paul Daley. He puts his strap up against Mizuto Hirota August 2nd at Sengoku 9.
5. Tatsuya Kawajiri (24-5-2) – “Crusher” has been victorious four times in five bouts since signing with DREAM last March. His lone loss was by TKO from Eddie Alvarez in the DREAM lightweight final. Has an impressive resume of wins, headed by Joachim Hansen, Charles Bennett, and Gesias Cavalcante.
6. Josh Thomson (16-2) – Strikeforce’s lightweight king has won eight consecutive bouts, all but one coming on a Strikeforce card. He hasn’t faced the toughest opponents; the only real threat over his Strikeforce run was Gilbert Melendez, who he beat via unanimous decision last June. He was forced out of his August 15 th Strikeforce lightweight title defense due to a lingering injury.
7. Gesias Cavalcante (14-3-1) – American Top Team’s Cavalcante was red hot, winning 8 straight before posting a 0-2, 1 No Contest mark in his most recent fights. Splitting his time between K-1 and DREAM, Cavalcante does hold notable victories over the likes of UFC’s Caol Uno, WEC’s Rani Yahya, and DREAM’s Andre “Dida” Amade in the last two years. Is rumored to appear on the DREAM 11 card, even after his original opponent had to withdrawal.
8. Takanori Gomi (30-5) – Once considered the top lightweight in the world, “The Fireball Kid” is fighting for respectability after losing two of his last three bouts. The Japanese standout has only been stopped three times in his eleven year career. He rebounded in his last fight, handing Takashi Nakakura a KO loss in May. HE was set to take on Rafaello Oliveria at Affliction: Trilogy before the clothing manufacturer turned MMA promoter was ended business as an MMA promotion in late July 2009.
9. Gilbert Melendez (15-2) – “El Nino” won his first 13 bouts, defeating many notables including Clay Guida, Rumina Sato, and Tatsuya Kawajiri. He did win Strikeforce’s Interim Lightweight title by knocking out Rodrigo Damm in April. Was scheduled to face Josh Thomson for a unification title bout; however Thomson bailed due to injury and instead will face steady Strikeforce vet Mitsuhiro Ishida on August 15.
10. Vitor Ribeiro (20-3) – The Brazilian has had a little string of bad luck as of late. After winning 19 out of his first 20 fights,” Shaolin” has lost two of his last three fights. With 11 of his 20 wins by way of submission, he is a legitimate threat on the ground. He fought only two weeks ago, losing to Shinya Aoki by decision at DREAM 10.

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By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer

More Non-UFC MMA Fighter Rankings:

• Top Heavyweights not in the UFC
• Top Light Heavyweights not in the UFC
• Top Middleweights not in the UFC
• Top Welterweights not in the UFC