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UFC Lightweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's 155-pound Lightweight division - February 2011 Update

BJ Penn's dominance of Diego Sanchez at UFC 107 many felt that the UFC’s lightweight division had been effectively cleaned out. However Frankie Edgar shocked the world in defeating Penn by Unanimous Decision at UFC 112 sending shockwaves throughout the 155 pound division. Edgar further established himself in dominating Penn once again at UFC 118 with Gray Maynard topping Kenny Florian that same night to earn a title shot. But when the two squared off at UFC 125 and the dust settled, the only thing certain was that another fight was necessary.

ProFighting-fans.com ranks the Top 10 Lightweights in the UFC below and also be sure to see our MMA Lightweight rankings as we take a look at the top 155 pound fighters in the UFC and other MMA organizations across the globe.

Frankie Edgar shocked the MMA world defeating BJ Penn at UFC 112 and again at UFC 118.

1a. Frankie Edgar – (13-1-1; 8-1-1 UFC) – The only thorn in UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar’s side has proven on two occasions to be a sizeable one: Gray Maynard. Edgar put two beatings on BJ Penn, but was unable to pull the trigger against Maynard. Edgar will look to avenge his only career loss (and draw, for that matter) against Maynard atop the UFC 130 fight card in May.

1b. Gray Maynard – (10-0-1; 8-0-1 UFC, 1 NC) – Maynard made the most of his shot at the UFC Lightweight title by hammering Frankie Edgar in round one. Maynard’s thunder tapered off significantly, and the fight ended in a rare draw. Maynard is thus far the only man to defeat Edgar as a professional, and if he can defeat Edgar again at UFC 130, it would be the beginning of his UFC title reign.

3. BJ Penn – (16-7-1; 12-6-1 UFC) – The long-time Lightweight title holder showed that he can still put guys to sleep when he knocked another former champion (Matt Hughes) out in just 21 seconds. That’s the good news for Penn, but the bad news is that the Hughes fight and his upcoming fight against Jon Fitch will be contested at Welterweight. Perhaps Dana White has seen enough of Penn and Fitch contesting for the belts, and this is a way to end one’s candidacy.

4. Sean Sherk – (36-4-1; 8-4 UFC) – Sherk’s victory over Evan Dunham polarized much of the MMA community, but win or lose, the fight proved that Sherk still deserves to be at the top of the heap in the UFC’s Lightweight Division. Though he’ll be sitting out for some time to nurse injuries sustained against Dunham, Sherk remains in striking distance for one more run at the UFC title.

5. Jim Miller – (19-2; 8-1 UFC) – The younger Miller brother was 4 for 4 in 2010, reeling off victories over Duane Ludwig, Mark Bocek, Gleison Tibau, and Charles Oliveira. It should be noted, that prior to losing to Miller, Oliveira was undefeated. Miller showed some serious versatility, winning 2 fights by submission and 2 by decision in 2010. He will look to begin 2011 the same way he finished 2010, when he will fight in front of his hometown crowd in New Jersey against WEC import Kamal Shalorus.

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6. Melvin Guillard – (27-8-2-1; 10-4 UFC) – Guillard has truly been a mainstay in the Octagon, doing battle for the UFC 14 times since 2005. Guillard’s fast-paced style and aggressive striking make him a must-see fighter no matter who he is fighting. Guillard has reeled off 4 straight victories, the most recent being the demolition of upstart Evan Dunham. Guillard showed that he has the skills to compete with the top Lightweights that the UFC has to offer.

7. Anthony Pettis – (13-1; 0-0 UFC) – “Showtime” is certainly a fitting nickname for Pettis, who wowed many fans with his acrobatic kick against Benson Henderson in the final fight for the WEC. Though Pettis was promised a shot at unifying the UFC and WEC belts, he was put on the back burner while Edgar and Maynard settle the score. Pettis isn’t waiting patiently, though, as he will be taking on the dangerous Clay Guida at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale in June.

8. Clay Guida – (28-11; 8-5 UFC) – Guida has been picking his way up through the ranks of the Lightweight division since losing to Kenny Florian at the end of 2009. Guida has pieced together 3 straight submission victories, including a guillotine victory over Japanese standout Takanori Gomi. Guida will look to avoid being a stepping stone to the UFC title when he fights Anthony Pettis while Pettis waits for his shot at the Lightweight belt.

9. George Sotiropoulos – (14-2; 7-0 UFC) – Sotiropoulos put his submission skills on display yet again when he defeated Joe Lauzon by kimura back in November. He will put his 9 fight win-streak on the line in February against tough striker Dennis Siver.

10. Benson Henderson – (12-2; 0-0 UFC) – After defending his WEC Lightweight title against Donald Cerrone, Henderson just didn’t have what it took to earn a victory over Anthony Pettis. Henderson looks for a fresh start in the UFC following the WEC merger when he will take on tough Canadian Mark Bocek in April when the UFC makes its maiden voyage to Toronto.

Look for updates on the Top Ten UFC Rankings to be up the first week of every month from here on out, only on ProFighting-fans.com.

By Curt Heinrichs
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer

Published September 2010
Photo used with permission from the UFC

UFC Lightweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's 155-pound Lightweight division - February 2011 Update

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