Power Ranking the Top 10 Lightweights in MMA

There is a reason that the 155-pound division is widely considered the most competitive division in MMA.

That reason is that the depth within the division is seemingly never ending, and the results from UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle was just one example of that.

Two key matchups occurred on the card: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs. Charles Oliveira and Jim Miller vs. Ben Henderson.

Both Cerrone and Henderson won in definitive fashion, and now the division has essentially been turned upside down since Miller came in as the unofficial No. 1 contender and Henderson was not even considered a top 10 fighter. 

With that in mind, where do Miller and Henderson end up on the revised rankings?

Has Cerrone done enough to crack the top 10?

Take a look inside to find out. 

10. Anthony Pettis (13-2)

Forever to be known for his “Showtime Kick” when he beat Ben Henderson for the WEC lightweight title, Pettis did not make the UFC debut he had planned.

The last ever WEC lightweight champion came into the UFC on a four-fight win streak, before dropping a decision to Clay “The Carpenter” Guida. 

The decision was not without controversy though, as “Showtime” was very active from his guard, constantly looking for the submission despite the fact that Guida was routinely able to take him down with ease.

Pettis has a chance to remain a relevant Top 10 fighter when he takes on Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136.  

9. Jim Miller (20-3)

Miller came into the fifth edition of UFC Live on Versus with an impressive seven-fight win steak, the third best on the UFC roster behind just Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.

The unofficial No. 1 contender, a huge favorite, was soundly defeated at the hands of Ben “Smooth” Henderson.

After working for a title shot for just over two years, Miller is now seemingly in no man’s land after losing to a former WEC lightweight champion. 

It is way too early to count Miller out of contention though, as fights with Anthony Pettis, Dennis Siver or possibly even the loser of Gray Maynard vs. Frankie Edgar III, all make sense and would immediately boast Miller back into the division’s elite. 

8. Melvin Guillard (29-8-2(1))

Currently riding a five-fight win steak, “The Young Assassin” has been saying he’s the top lightweight in the world for quite a while now.

While that proclamation may be going a bit overboard, it is hard to argue that Guillard is only a win or two away from a title shot.

The Jackson MMA fighter has beaten two “on the cusp” fighters in his past three fights in the form of Jeremy Stephens and Evan Dunham, and faces an interesting challenge in Joe Lauzon next. 

While Guillard will have a definitive advantage in the striking department, Lauzon has the submission skills that have plagued The Young Assassin in the past.

7. Clay Guida (29-11)

“The Caveman” is a notorious fan favorite among MMA circles, and if continues down the current path he’s traveling, a shot at UFC gold seems inevitable.

Guida has won four in a row, including back to back wins over former lightweight champions in Takanori Gomi and Anthony Pettis.

The Carpenter looks new and improved since joining Jackson MMA, and the former Strikeforce lightweight title holder only has two fights in store that make sense:

A title eliminator bout with Ben Henderson or a title shot against the winner of Gray Maynard vs. Frankie Edgar III.

6. Ben Henderson (14-2)

“The Smooth One” saw his stock skyrocket after pulling the upset over Jim Miller at UFC Live, and has easily looked like the most impressive WEC fighter to transfer to the UFC.

A former NAIA (Division II) two-time All American and a BJJ brown belt (and a regular competitor in grappling tournaments), Henderson has also shown vicious ground and pound and non-stop cardio that makes him difficult to beat.

A title eliminator fight with Clay Guida seems like a logical next move for Bendo, but there is an outside chance that he is the next UFC fighter to get a title shot at 155 pounds. 

5. Eddie Alvarez (22-2)

The Bellator lightweight champion is in the midst of a seven-fight win streak, and has only lost once since April of 2007.

While Alvarez will always be in the conversation about overrated fighters due to never fighting for a major promotion, he does hold quality wins over the likes of Tatsuya Kawajiri, Roger Huerta and Pat Curran.

The fight with Kawajiri was voted the 2008 Fight of the Year by Sherdog. 

Whether you’re a fan or a not, it is hard not to respect Alvarez’s ability to finish: 19 of his 22 wins have been finishes.

Alvarez will defend his title for the second time at Bellator 54 in October, when he takes on Michael Chandler. 

4. Shinya Aoki (28-5 (1))

One of the most entertaining submission specialists in the game today, Aoki has shown that he can hang with almost anyone on the ground at 155 pounds.

The reigning DREAM lightweight champion has won five fights in a row after taking a beating at the hands of Gilbert Melendez in a Strikeforce title bout.

Aoki holds quality wins over Eddie Alvarez, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Lyle Beerbohm, all of which were finishes.

The BJJ and Judo black belt, like Alvarez, will always have a question mark hanging over his head until he beats a top tier American fighter. 

Aoki will fight for DREAM again next month when he takes on Rob McCullough.  

3. Gilbert Melendez (19-2)

“El Niño” has looked like a man possessed since winning the Strikeforce interim lightweight title in April of 2009.

Melendez has won five in a row, with three finishes, and realistically does not have many, if any at all, challenging fights left outside of the UFC.

Generally considered a consensus Top 10 pound-for-pound fighter, fans are still clamoring for the day that Melendez take on Gray Maynard and/or Frankie Edgar. 

Despite looking untouchable in the Strikeforce lightweight division, Melendez has at least one more fight under that banner when he defends his title against Jorge Masvidal in either November or December. 

2. Gray Maynard (10-0-1 (1))

“The Bully” is undefeated in his five-year career, yet gold has still eluded the former three-time All-American wrestler.

Maynard is the one and only fighter to beat reigning UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, and came within inches of winning the belt at UFC 125.

That fight was ruled a draw, and the two will have a rubber match at UFC 136 to determine once and for all who is the UFC’s best at 155 pounds.

Maynard has proven he’s no fluke also boasting wins over Dennis Siver, Jim Miller, Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian.

The Xtreme Couture fighter will remain a huge threat in the lightweight division regardless of the outcome of his third bout with Edgar.

1. Frankie Edgar (13-1-1)

Edgar proved that he was a force to be reckoned with wins over Jim Miller and Tyson Griffin in his early career, and even with the loss to Maynard, he bounced back to win four fights in a row culminating in winning the lightweight title from BJ Penn.

His title win was not without controversy, but he decisively beat Penn in a rematch at UFC 118. 

A win over Maynard at UFC 136 would only leave a handful of relevant fights left for “The Answer” at 155, making a fight with Gilbert Melendez almost a necessity.