Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

---

Featherweight

1. Jose Aldo (24-1)

Aldo’s featherweight title defense at UFC 169 was far from dramatic, which is a testament to his dominance as champion. The Nova Uniao standout had his way with Ricardo Lamas for four rounds, landing multiple punching and kicking combinations, as well as a pair of late takedowns. A final salvo from Lamas in round five was not nearly enough, as Aldo had his hand raised for the 17th consecutive time. Next, Aldo will defend his belt in a rematch against Chad Mendes at UFC 176 in Los Angeles.

2. Chad Mendes (16-1)

It was not as spectacular as some of his recent work, but “Money” nonetheless emerged with his fifth straight victory at UFC on Fox 9, as he earned a unanimous decision over fellow wrestler Nik Lentz. Mendes will now have the opportunity to avenge the only loss of his professional career when he squares off with reigning 145-pound king Jose Aldo at UFC 176.

3. Ricardo Lamas (13-3)

It was a case of too little, too late for Lamas at UFC 169, as the Chicagoan’s furious fifth-round barrage of ground-and-pound against Jose Aldo did little to alter the outcome of their featherweight title clash. That was because Aldo pitched a shutout on the scorecards for the first four frames, racing out to an advantage that Lamas had no hope of overcoming. “The Bully” returns to action against Hacran Dias at UFC Fight Night in San Antonio on June 28.

4. Cub Swanson (20-5)

Swanson has established himself as one of the division’s top contenders during a five-fight tear that includes wins over Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Dennis Siver. The Jackson-Wink product returns to the cage following nearly a year-long hiatus to face Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night in San Antonio on June 28.

5. Frankie Edgar (16-4-1)

Footwork and accurate punching combinations allowed Edgar to secure his first featherweight victory against a game Charles Oliveira at UFC 162. The “Fight of the Night”-winning performance came in the New Jersey export’s first non-title bout since 2009. The Toms River, N.J., native will turn back the clock when he squares off with B.J. Penn -- the man he defeated to first capture lightweight gold -- for a third time in 2014. First, the rivals must complete coaching duties on “The Ultimate Fighter 19.”

6. Jeremy Stephens (23-9)

A move from lightweight to featherweight has proven fruitful for Stephens, who is 3-0 since changing divisions. “Lil’ Heathen” earned his most significant 145-pound triumph on Jan. 26, outpointing Darren Elkins at UFC on Fox 10 in Chicago. The hard-hitting Stephens will attempt to continue his ascent when he locks horns with Cub Swanson on June 28.

7. Nik Lentz (25-6-2, 1 NC)

After a hiccup against No. 1 contender Chad Mendes, Lentz returned to his winning ways at UFC Fight Night “Brown vs. Silva,” taking a unanimous verdict over Manny Gamburyan in Cincinnati. “The Carny” battered Gamburyan against the fence and landed several takedowns to clinch his fourth win in five featherweight outings.

8. Chan Sung Jung (13-4)

The popular “Korean Zombie” returned after more than a year-long absence to challenge Jose Aldo for the featherweight title at UFC 163. While it was surgery on Jung’s left shoulder that had sidelined him since his pivotal win over Dustin Poirier in May 2012, it was his right shoulder that led to his demise against the 145-pound king. Jung dislocated his shoulder after an errant overhand right in the fourth round, which allowed Aldo to up his aggression and secure a TKO finish two minutes into the frame. Nearly a year later, he remains sidelined.

9. Dustin Poirier (16-3)

Poirier is not one to stay idle. While many believed his matchup with Akira Corassani at “The Ultimate Fighter Nations” Finale to be a step down in competition, that did not prevent the American Top Team representative from providing another action-packed performance. “The Diamond” scored a technical knockout over Corassani 42 seconds into round two for his ninth win in his last 11 outings.

10. Pat Curran (20-5)

Curran reclaimed the Bellator featherweight title in dramatic fashion on March 14, submitting Daniel Straus via rear-naked choke with only 14 seconds left on the clock. An expected title defense against Patricio Freire at Bellator 121 was postponed after a calf strain forced “Paddy Mike” to withdraw from the contest.

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

Continue Reading » Bantamweight