It’s hard to remember a time when the UFC’s lightweight class wasn’t loaded with talent, and that’s still very much the case today. However, there isn’t a standout who seems poised to dominate the division in the way that B.J. Penn once did. But even without a superstar leading the way, the 155-pound field looks set for years to come.
The tier system is more than just another rankings list. It is an analysis of the quality of fighters and the overall depth of the division. And of course, if any of these fighters have upcoming fights, their odds are listed accordingly.
TIER 1: GENERATIONAL TALENTS
Members: None
For a while, it seemed as if former champion Anthony Pettis had the potential to reach this status, but he was dominated by Rafael dos Anjos in a stunning upset. Still, it appears as if “Showtime” has the best shot of becoming one of the best in lightweight history, if he can just stay healthy and keep improving.
TIER 2: ELITE STATUS
Members: Rafael dos Anjos, Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone, Benson Henderson
Upcoming fight odds:
UFC on FOX 17: Dos Anjos -320 vs. Cerrone +250
UFC Fight Night November: Henderson vs. Alves
Dos Anjos beat down Pettis in a way that we’ve never seen, vaulting him into the elite status. Cerrone is on an amazing eight-fight winning streak while taking multiple fights on short notice. Henderson was tough to include, but his record at 155 plus the fact that he’s found success at 170 cannot be ignored.
TIER 3: BORDERLINE ALL-STARS
Members: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson
You could make the argument that Nurmagomedov belongs in the elite tier, and he’s very close. But he has got to stay healthy and notch a few more wins no matter how promising he’s looked. Ferguson is quickly moving up the ladder and looks like a very real threat in the title picture. Each of these guys could move up with a win or two.
TIER 4: STARTERS
Members: Eddie Alvarez, Michael Johnson, Myles Jury, Al Iaquinta, Bobby Green, Beneil Dariush
Now we get a picture of how deep the division is. Every one of the guys mentioned is an extremely tough out. Alvarez is the most accomplished and could be argued as a borderline all-star, but he hasn’t looked like true title contender so far in the UFC. The rest of the guys in this tier are high-level fighters, but each has a few major holes to plug before being considered an all-star.
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