Official SportsBettingWorld Lightweight Rankings: Post UFC 118

Added on Aug 30, 2010 by Bill Jackson in

UFC & MMA

UFC 118 greatly impacted the lightweight division. If there were no upsets, we would be looking toward a rematch between B.J. Penn and Kenny Florian. But this sport is never without upsets, and now we can all get ready for a rematch between champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. Also, Nate Diaz looked tremendous in submitting Marcus Davis at welterweight and claims he still has some unfinished business at lightweight. Either way, Diaz is a threat at any weight.

1. Frankie Edgar

The UFC lightweight champion will now get the credit he deserves for besting the greatest lightweight of all time in B.J. Penn. I had given the first fight to Penn and figured Penn to make easy work of Edgar on Saturday, but like many, I was shocked and utterly impressed with Edgar’s performance. There is no doubt that he is the top lightweight in the world now after a Saturday’s career defining victory. However, there is no rest for the champion as he next faces the only man to ever beat him, Gray Maynard.

2. Gilbert Melendez

In Melendez’s last four fights, he won the Strikeforce lightweight title, avenged his only two losses, and dominated the the previously No. 2 lightweight in the world in Shinya Aoki. Clearly, he is one of the best lightweights in the world, and if given the opportunity, could be No. 1. No word on his next fight, but there has been some talk about a unification fight with Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez in the distant future. That would be an amazing fight.

3. Gray Maynard

Maynard is the only man to defeat champion Frankie Edgar and solidified his position as the top challenger by winning every round against Kenny Florian on Saturday. He is undefeated in his career despite a very close fight with Nate Diaz that many thought could have gone the other way and a loss to Diaz on The Ultimate Fighter that does not go on his record. Next will be a title shot that he will likely be favored in.

4. B.J. Penn

Maybe it is the end of an era or maybe Penn just does not match up well with Edgar, or maybe both. Either way, Penn was shutout on Saturday night and the future looks very blurry for the all-time great. He still has many options in his career including waiting to possibly challenge Maynard if he can win the title, or moving up to welterweight. Many interesting matchups await him at welterweight.

5. Shinya Aoki

Many thought Aoki was on the decline after being shutdown by Gilbert Melendez earlier this year, but Aoki returned impressively against Tatsuya Kawajiri with a first-round submission win. No word yet on his next fight.

6. Eddie Alvarez

Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez looked like a million bucks against Josh Neer, completely dominating Neer and submitting him in the second round of a non-title bout. Alvarez was supposed to face Bellator tournament winner Pat Curran, but Curran was forced to pull out with an injury. Now Alvarez will face UFC vet and avenger of all female kind Roger Huerta in another non-title bout. It is a great fight, but I wish it could be for the title. Still, it makes sense since Roger did not win the tournament.

7. Kenny Florian

Kenny had looked tremendous in his last two fights since losing in a title fight against B.J. Penn. If he could have won on Saturday, he would have received a third title shot, but it was not to be. Florian didn’t look like the fighter that dominated Takanori Gomi and lost every round to Gray Maynard. It is hard to say where Kenny goes from here, but he has a long road in front of him if he wishes to get another shot at UFC gold.

8. Tatsuya Kawajiri

Many thought Kawajiri would be the new Dream lightweight champion, but Aoki pulled out one of his old tricks with a first-round achilles lock, forcing Kawajiri to tap. Kawajiri is still one of the best lightweights in the world and it would be interesting to see him get involved in the UFC. With the UFC’s plans to expand into Asia, Kawajiri would be a big boost to their effort.

9. George Sotiropoulos

“Sotiro” is undoubtedly one of the top contenders in the UFC after impressive wins over Joe Stevenson and Kurt Pellegrino. Rumor has it the UFC may be planning to match him up with Japanese legend Takanori Gomi. If George could get a win there, it would be a career making win.

10. Evan Dunham

Dunham recently shutout Tyson Griffin for three rounds, keeping his undefeated record. Now, he will meet his stiffest test in former champion Sean Sherk at UFC 119. If Dunham can win there, he will be setting himself up for a title shot in the not too distant future. A fight with Sotiropoulos would make a lot of sense, if he can get the win over Sherk, which is far from a guarantee.