Anthony Pettis. Pic by MMA Fighting. Credit: Esther Lin

Please note that due to inactivity, TJ Grant is ineligible for the rankings. Also note that the previous rankings (6/18/14) are in parenthesis:

1. Anthony Pettis (1)

Coaching is underway for The Ultimate Fighter season 20 and one can be sure that Anthony Pettis has been busy coaching opposite Gilbert Melendez. Of note is the fact that at the end of next month, Pettis will be ineligible for the rankings until he defends his title.

2. Gilbert Melendez (tied) (tied 2)

At present any brawl news is not about Gilbert Melendez’s teammates like the Diaz brothers. However, there is probably some tension.

2. Benson Henderson (tied) (tied 2)

Benson Henderson has a fight coming up on August 23rd against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos. If Henderson wishes to continue building a case for another title shot and a third time with Pettis he must win this match against dos Anjos.

4. Eddie Alvarez (4)

There is currently no word as to when Eddie Alvarez will next be defending his Bellator Lightweight Championship next, though it’ll likely be on the promotion’s next pay per view. When that will be is unknown and there are currently talks of him finally leaving the promotion after.

5. Khabib Nurmagomedov (5)

Khabib Nurmagomedov will be out for an unknown amount of time due to a knee injury. Hopefully the undefeated prospect heals quickly.

6. Nate Diaz (6)

Currently there’s still no word as to when Nate Diaz will fight again though his brother Nick Diaz‘s resigning with the UFC maybe a hint.

7. Josh Thomson (7)

Josh Thomson is currently on a two fight loosing streak including a loss to Bobby Green in his last outing and needs a win badly.

8. Rafael dos Anjos (9)

Without a doubt, Rafael dos Anjos has been on the rise lately and he will get his biggest challenge in Benson Henderson next month. A win against Henderson would definitely make a case for dos Anjos to be considered in possibly the top five in the UFC lightweight division.

9. Donald Cerrone (8)

Donald Cerrone became the first man to finish Jim Miller in his career at UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller earlier on July 16th.

10. Jim Miller (10)

There’s no doubt that Jim Miller had been on a roll but his momentum has slowed now that he lost to Donald Cerrone on July 16th.

Contenders

The following fighter received votes on the panel and as a result is considered a contender in the lightweight division: Will Brooks.