Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Featherweight

1. Conor McGregor (19-3)

It has been just over a month and a half since McGregor's infamous and immortal tweet that proclaimed his retirement and exit from UFC 200. McGregor's tweet touched off one of the most politically provocative six weeks in the annals of MMA, but “The Notorious” one's beef with the UFC is on the back burner once again. The Irishman has officially signed on to rematch Nate Diaz, this time in the main event of UFC 202 on Aug. 20.

2. Jose Aldo (25-2)

Sidelined for more than 13 months with numerous injuries, Aldo was given a rude welcome back to the Octagon at UFC 194. The Brazilian’s long-awaited bout with Conor McGregor ended in brutal fashion with a one-punch knockout that halted Aldo’s remarkable 10-year, 18-fight unbeaten streak. Aldo will rematch Frankie Edgar for the interim featherweight championship at UFC 200 on July 9.

3. Frankie Edgar (20-4-1)

Still in search of another shot at the UFC featherweight title, Edgar left no doubt in his UFC 194 bout with Chad Mendes, starching “Money” with a left hook in the opening round. After the bout, UFC President Dana White told the former lightweight champ that he is next in line to challenge for 145-pound gold. With featherweight champion Conor McGregor in limbo, Edgar will take on Jose Aldo for the interim featherweight crown at the July 9 pay-per-view.

4. Max Holloway (16-3)

Holloway made it nine in a row by picking apart Ricardo Lamas and taking a lopsided unanimous decision in their UFC 199 encounter. Only 24 and already entering his fifth year as a UFC fighter, Holloway is undoubtedly in the running for a featherweight title shot; however, with the current mess atop the 145-pound division, exactly when that shot could materialize is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, Holloway said he is open to notching his 10th straight victory, preferably in his home state of Hawaii.

5. Chad Mendes (17-4)

Mendes suffered only one defeat in his first 17 bouts as a mixed martial artist. Since then, the former college wrestler has dropped three out of four, including back-to-back knockouts in his last two fights. Mendes’ most recent fall came against Frankie Edgar at “The Ultimate Fighter 22” Finale, knocking “Money” clear out of featherweight contendership.

6. Cub Swanson (22-7)

Following a bumpy 18 months which saw Swanson lose the first back-to-back bouts of his career, “Killer Cub” returned to the win column with an April 16 decision over Brazilian talent Hacran Dias. Once a red-hot contender on a six-fight tear, the 32-year-old veteran is now situated decidedly outside of the title picture.

7. Charles Oliveira (21-5, 1 NC)

Oliveira took out Myles Jury with a first-round guillotine choke at UFC on Fox 17, although the Dec. 19 triumph was soured due to “Charles do Bronx” missing weight by four pounds. Nonetheless, it put the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt back in the win column following a freak injury loss to Max Holloway in August.

8. Ricardo Lamas (16-5)

Lamas had no answer for the reach and precise striking of Max Holloway at UFC 199, as “The Bully” failed to bring the fight to the floor and wound up on the wrong end of a unanimous decision. The former featherweight title contender was coming off an impressive November win over Diego Sanchez.

9. Jeremy Stephens (25-12)

Way back in November 2008, Stephens famously knocked out future UFC lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos with a brutal uppercut. Fast forward almost eight years, and “Lil Heathen” can say he has properly beaten a former UFC champion. Onetime bantamweight king Renan Barao moved up to 145 pounds for their May 29 encounter, only to be thwarted by Stephens' defensive wrestling and power punching over 15 minutes, giving the Iowa native perhaps the biggest win of his career.

10. Hacran Dias (23-4-1)

Dias started strong but suffered multiple knockdowns and ultimately could not hang on the feet with hard-hitting veteran Cub Swanson in their April 16 encounter. The Nova Uniao fighter dropped a unanimous decision after three rounds, snapping a two-fight winning streak and leveling Dias’ UFC record at 3-3.

Other Contenders: Dennis Bermudez, Darren Elkins, Patricio Freire, Brian Ortega, Daniel Straus.

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