Top 10 Greatest MMA Lightweight Fighters of All Time

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov (born September 20, 1988) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist of Avar ethnicity. He is a two-time Combat Sambo World Champion and retired as the undefeated UFC Lightweight Champion with a 29-0 record, the longest undefeated streak in professional MMA history... read more

He is not only the greatest lightweight fighter of all time... he is one of the greatest fighters ever lived. Top 3 greatest MMA fighters ever. When he retired, no one was completely looked unbeatable and invincible.

No need to even think about this. Without competition, Khabib is light-years ahead of everyone else. Simply in the top 3 of the MMA GOAT list and easily the #1 in the lightweight division.

Undefeated. Defeated three great fighters in just one stretch. That's it. No doubt why he's number one.

B.J. Penn

He was simply better than the others in his prime. He was exceptional on his back and had legitimate power. Edgar beat him when he was a little past his best. Towards the end of his career, his penchant for fighting much bigger fighters and too frequent poor discipline in camp caught up with him and shortened his prime.
But still the best ever at 155 in a division of killers. Doesn't get the respect he deserves.

This guy was simply the best who didn't even train seriously. Imagine if he did...

He's a legend and a pioneer of the LW division. Sure, his legacy is now ruined, but he's definitely one of the best in his prime.

Tony Ferguson

Anthony Armand "Tony" Ferguson (born February 12, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former interim UFC Lightweight Champion. Ferguson is known for his unorthodox striking, high-paced fighting style,... read more

Tony is either first or second, end of story.

Islam Makhachev

Charles Oliveira

Charles Oliveira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He fights in the lightweight division and is known for holding the record for the most finishes in UFC history. Oliveira is also a former UFC Lightweight Champion and has been active in professional... read more

Dustin Poirier

I mean, he has an insane resume. If he beats Charles Oliveira, then he has six champions on his resume: Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway (x2), Conor McGregor (x2), and Oliveira himself. Dustin is a beast and is so far a top three in my books that could end up being a top two if he beats Oliveira come December.

Benson Henderson

Should have never won against Edgar the first or second time. And he didn't beat Gilbert. The judges love this guy and gave him decisions he shouldn't have won.

Frank Edgar

BJ at number one and Frankie beat him for the title the first time, dominated him the second time, and nearly killed him the third time. He also beat Sherk who is number three (God knows why). Too small for the weight class yet managed to win the title in a division full of killers. Best lightweight hands down.

Edgar has been around for 10 years, has been the champion, and is still winning fights against young talent and tough veterans. His career has been and still is very successful. He has octagon time records and all sorts of others.

Diego Sanchez

Clay Guida

?

Justin Gaethje

?

Michael Chandler

Rafael Dos Anjos

Rafael Souza dos Anjos is a Brazilian and American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's lightweight and welterweight divisions. He became UFC Lightweight Champion on March 14, 2015, after defeating Anthony Pettis at UFC 185. Dos Anjos lost the title to Eddie Alvarez... read more

Conor McGregor

Conor Anthony McGregor, born on July 14, 1988, is an Irish professional mixed martial artist and boxer. He is best known for being a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion.

McGregor began his MMA career in 2008. In 2012, he won the Cage Warriors Featherweight and Lightweight Championships... read more

Frankie Edgar

Frank James "Frankie" Edgar is an American mixed martial artist from New Jersey. He is a former UFC Lightweight Champion and has also competed in the Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions. Edgar retired from MMA in 2022 after a career spanning over 15 years.

Gray Maynard

Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis (born January 27, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist. He is a former UFC Lightweight Champion, having won the title in August 2013 by defeating Benson Henderson.

Pettis has competed in multiple weight classes and fought in several major promotions, including the UFC, PFL... read more

Eddie Alvarez

Edward "Eddie" Alvarez (born January 11, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist of Puerto Rican and Irish descent. He most recently competed as a bare-knuckle boxer in the welterweight division of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Alvarez is a former UFC Lightweight Champion and... read more

Should be top 10 in my opinion. Been the top in the weight class in numerous promotions, and he is a true lightweight.

Eddie Alvarez is top 3 easily, top 5 of all-time lightweights!

Nate Diaz

Nathan Donald "Nate" Diaz (born April 16, 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the UFC from 2007 to 2022 after winning The Ultimate Fighter season 5. Before joining the UFC, he fought in World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and Pancrase.... read more

One of the most underrated fighters of all time. He has never been knocked out in the UFC and has the most submission wins and post-match awards in history. Most of his losses come from the judges' decision. Just tells you that he is tough as it comes.

Shinya Aoki

Sean Sherk

Donald Cerrone

Donald Anthony Cerrone is an American mixed martial artist and former professional kickboxer. He competed in the UFC's lightweight and welterweight divisions and became one of the most popular fighters in the promotion's history. Cerrone holds several UFC records, including most finishes and most wins... read more

Cowboy is one of the most exciting fighters and has faced and beaten the best of the best.