The MMAWeekly.com rankings list the Top 10 MMA fighters from around the world in each of the most widely accepted weight classes, as well as a Top 10 mixed pound-for-pound list ranking the best male and female fighters.
Though Khabib Nurmagomedov already held the UFC lightweight title, he cemented his position not only as the champion, but also as the top lightweight in the world by dominating and submitting Conor McGregor in the UFC 229 main event in early October.
Taken into consideration are a fighter’s performance in addition to win-loss record, head-to-head and common opponents, difficulty of opponents, and numerous other factors in what is the most comprehensive rankings system in the sport. The divisional rankings put a particular emphasis on recent results, while a fighter’s career, particularly if he or she has fought in multiple weight classes, adds considerable weight to the pound-for-pound ranking.
Fighters who are currently serving a drug-related suspension are not eligible for MMA Top 10 Rankings consideration until they have fought one time after the completion of said suspension.
Though we don’t have a strict timeline for fighters to compete, an athlete’s inactivity can also have an effect upon his or her MMA Top 10 Rankings consideration.
Men’s Lightweight MMA Top 10 Rankings
- Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Tony Ferguson
- Conor McGregor
- Dustin Poirier
- Kevin Lee
- Eddie Alvarez
- Michael Chandler
- Edson Barboza
- Justin Gaethje
- Al Iaquinta
*Previous ranking in parentheses
