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| Image: Esther Lin / MMA Fighting |
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| Image: MMAJunkie.com |
Current rankings
- Champion: Rafael Dos Anjos
- #1: Anthony Pettis
- #2: Donald Cerrone
- #3: Khabib Nurmagomedov
- #4: Eddie Alvarez
- #5: Michael Johnson
- #6: Benson Henderson
- #7: Edson Barboza
- #8: Myles Jury
- #9: Tony Ferguson
- #10: Bobby Green
- #11: Al Iaquinta
- #12: Beneil Dariush
- #13: Nate Diaz
- #14: Dustin Poirier
- #15: Jorge Masvidal
#1 Rashid Magomedov
Rashid Magomedov is a typical beast from Russia. He is an excellent striker as he is a master of sport and boxing and as well as a master in Sambo. Despite a tough first round vs. Tony Martin, Magomedov has dominated his opposition in 3 fights. Keep an eye out for this guy! He is well rounded and recently began training at American Top Team.
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| Image: MMA-Core.com |
Next opponent: Jim Miller
#2 Joe Duffy
Joe Duffy is one of the most hyped fighters to hit the UFC in awhile along with his fellow Irishman and victim Conor McGregor. A former pro boxer with good ground skills, Duffy is being cast into the spotlight, and he has a massive test in perennial contender Dustin Poirier in Dublin. He definitely hasn't faced the best, but let's see if he rises to the occasion against the Diamond on home soil.
Next opponent: Dustin Poirier
#3 Mairbek Taisumov
Mairbek Taisumov is a straight beast and he is only getting better and better. He's coming off a KO win over Alan Patrick who was undefeated at the time. Taisumov does have a loss in the UFC but he has patched up the wholes in his game training at Tiger Muay Thai. Taisumov definitely needs a step up in competition and with a win could find himself in the top 15.
Next opponent: Evan Dunham
#4 Chad Laprise
Chad Laprise is coming off a war with fellow prospect Bryan Barberena, and the heart and determination showed was incredible by both. Laprise is a very composed and technical striker and has good takedowns as well. He has a tough test in Trinaldo up next, but with an impressive performance, he should get a decent step up in competition.
Next opponent: Fransisco Trinaldo
#5 Johnny Case
Johnny Case has the makings to be a serious player in the 155 lbs divison in the future. The Alliance Product is super well rounded and has dominated his 3 opponents so far. He trains with guys like Jeremy Stephens, Myles Jury and Michael Chandler, so we know he is tested everyday. 18 of his 21 wins are by way of finishes.
Next opponent: Matt Wiman
#2 Joe Duffy
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| Image; Sherdog.com |
Next opponent: Dustin Poirier
#3 Mairbek Taisumov
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| Image: Zimbio.com |
Next opponent: Evan Dunham
#4 Chad Laprise
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| Image: ChathamDailyNews.ca |
Next opponent: Fransisco Trinaldo
#5 Johnny Case
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| Image: FOXSports.com |
Next opponent: Matt Wiman
#6 Kevin Lee
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| Image: CagePages.com |
Kevin Lee is a confident and cocky fighter and he had the skills to back it up. He's an excellent wrestler and his striking is coming along training with Dewey Cooper in Vegas. Lee has pretty much called everyone in the Lightweight division.
Next opponent: Michael Chiesa
#7 James Vick
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| Image: FanSided.com |
James Vick is a tough Texan who loves to mix it up standing and with his lanky legs and arms he has the ability to sub fighters quick on bad takedown attempts. Vick may not have the best technical skills but he knows how to fight and win! He needs a tough opponent next.
Next opponent: James Krause
#8 Gilbert Burns
Gilbert Burns is an elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player and showed incredible heart in his last fight after loosing the first 2 rounds to Alex Cowboy and coming back to win by submission. Burns is not the guy you want to test on the mat, and his standup is only getting better training at the Blackzillians with the likes of Michael Johnson and Eddie Alvarez.
Next opponent: Adrianno Martins
#9 Oliver Aubin Mercier
Oliver Aubin Mercier is a submission specialist training out of Tristar and he is an unassuming finisher. In his last fight he showed precision striking as well. I see big things for Mr. Mercier but he has a tough test in fellow prospect Chris Wade coming up.
Next opponent: Chris Wade
#10 Islam Mackhachev
Islam Mackhachev is an undefeated training partner of lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Master of Sambo is coming off a impressive debut and he didn't hesitate to call out big-time fighters in the lightweight division like Dustin Poirier. He definitely hasn't been tested yet, but definitely has the skills to be a future contender.
Next opponent: Nick Hein
Honorable mentions
Bryan Barberena, Chris Wade, Valmir Lazaro, Steven Ray.
With the division completely stacked, these prospects still have a lot to do, but they're in this list to do it—look out for the rising stars in the Lightweight division.
#8 Gilbert Burns
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| Image: Kyle Terada / USA TODAY Sports |
Gilbert Burns is an elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player and showed incredible heart in his last fight after loosing the first 2 rounds to Alex Cowboy and coming back to win by submission. Burns is not the guy you want to test on the mat, and his standup is only getting better training at the Blackzillians with the likes of Michael Johnson and Eddie Alvarez.
Next opponent: Adrianno Martins
#9 Oliver Aubin Mercier
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| Image: UFC.com |
Oliver Aubin Mercier is a submission specialist training out of Tristar and he is an unassuming finisher. In his last fight he showed precision striking as well. I see big things for Mr. Mercier but he has a tough test in fellow prospect Chris Wade coming up.
Next opponent: Chris Wade
#10 Islam Mackhachev
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| Image: MMAJunkie.com |
Islam Mackhachev is an undefeated training partner of lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Master of Sambo is coming off a impressive debut and he didn't hesitate to call out big-time fighters in the lightweight division like Dustin Poirier. He definitely hasn't been tested yet, but definitely has the skills to be a future contender.
Next opponent: Nick Hein
Honorable mentions
Bryan Barberena, Chris Wade, Valmir Lazaro, Steven Ray.
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| Image: Sherdog |
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