Tapology All Time Ranking
The Greatest Lightweight MMA Fights of All Time

All-Time Rankings are for the best bouts in MMA history. Tapology users submit their own lists which are combined into consensus rankings. Learn More.
What are the greatest fights in the history of the lightweight division? Updated 15 hrs, 33 mins ago
BJ Penn, Sean Sherk, Frankie Edgar, Diego Sanchez and others have banged heads for some of the most high octane bouts in MMA history. Here is the divisions's all-time best fight ranking. Create YOUR own ranking today.
Rankings
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1
Edgar vs. Maynard II
UFC 125
Ends in a Draw, Split Jan 2011
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2
Guida vs. Sanchez
The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale
Diego Sanchez wins via Decision, Split Jun 2009
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3
Henderson vs. Pettis
WEC 53
Anthony Pettis wins via Decision, Unanimous Dec 2010
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4
Diaz vs. Gomi
Pride 33
Ends in a No Contest, Overturned by NSAC Feb 2007
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5
Alvarez vs. Gaethje
UFC 218
Eddie Alvarez wins via KO/TKO, Knee and Punches Dec 2017
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6
Gaethje vs. Johnson
The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale
Justin Gaethje wins via KO/TKO, Punches and Knees Jul 2017
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7
Alvarez vs. Chandler
Bellator 58
Michael Chandler wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Nov 2011
-
8
Cerrone vs. Henderson I
WEC 43
Benson Henderson wins via Decision, Unanimous Oct 2009
-
9
Melendez vs. Sanchez
UFC 166
Gilbert Melendez wins via Decision, Unanimous Oct 2013
-
10
Edgar vs. Maynard III
UFC 136
Frankie Edgar wins via KO/TKO, Punches Oct 2011
-
11
Penn vs. Sanchez
UFC 107
BJ Penn wins via KO/TKO, Doctor Stoppage Dec 2009
-
12
Gaethje vs. Poirier
UFC on FOX 29
Dustin Poirier wins via KO/TKO, Punches Apr 2018
-
13
Holloway vs. Poirier II
UFC 236
Dustin Poirier wins via Decision, Unanimous Apr 2019
-
14
Ferguson vs. Barboza
The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale
Tony Ferguson wins via Submission, D'Arce Choke Dec 2015
-
15
Cerrone vs. Diaz
UFC 141
Nate Diaz wins via Decision, Unanimous Dec 2011
-
16
Huerta vs. Guida
The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale
Roger Huerta wins via Submission, Rear-Naked Choke Dec 2007
-
17
Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor
UFC 229
Khabib Nurmagomedov wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Oct 2018
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19
Lauzon vs. Varner
UFC on FOX 4
Joe Lauzon wins via Submission, Triangle Choke Aug 2012
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18
Alvarez vs. McGregor
UFC 205
Conor McGregor wins via KO/TKO, Punches Nov 2016
-
20
Chandler vs. Alvarez II
Bellator 106
Eddie Alvarez wins via Decision, Split Nov 2013
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21
Edgar vs. Griffin
UFC 67
Frankie Edgar wins via Decision, Unanimous Feb 2007
-
22
Ferguson vs. Pettis
UFC 229
Tony Ferguson wins via KO/TKO, Corner Stoppage (Broken Hand) Oct 2018
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23
Pulver vs. Penn I
UFC 35
Jens Pulver wins via Decision, Majority Jan 2002
-
24
Melendez vs. Thomson II
Strikeforce
Gilbert Melendez wins via Decision, Unanimous Dec 2009
-
26
Ferguson vs. Vannata
UFC Fight Night 91
Tony Ferguson wins via Submission, D'Arce Choke Jul 2016
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25
Barboza vs. Etim
UFC 142
Edson Barboza wins via KO/TKO, Wheel Kick Jan 2012
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27
Griffin vs. Guida
UFC 72
Tyson Griffin wins via Decision, Split Jun 2007
-
28
Alvarez vs. Kawajiri
Dream 5
Eddie Alvarez wins via KO/TKO, Punches Jul 2008
-
29
Guida vs. Henderson
UFC on FOX 1
Benson Henderson wins via Decision, Unanimous Nov 2011
-
30
Lauzon vs. Miller
UFC 155
Jim Miller wins via Decision, Unanimous Dec 2012
-
31
Penn vs. Sherk
UFC 84
BJ Penn wins via KO/TKO, Knee and Punches May 2008
-
32
Penn vs. Edgar I
UFC 112
Frankie Edgar wins via Decision, Unanimous Apr 2010
-
33
Huerta vs. Garcia
UFC 69
Roger Huerta wins via Decision, Unanimous Apr 2007
-
34
Diaz vs. Pellegrino
UFC Fight Night 13
Nate Diaz wins via Submission, Triangle Choke Apr 2008
-
35
Edwards vs. Thomson
UFC 49
Yves Edwards wins via KO/TKO, Flying Head Kick and Punches Aug 2004
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36
Penn vs. Stevenson
UFC 80
BJ Penn wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Jan 2008
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37
Stout vs. Fisher I
UFC 58
Sam Stout wins via Decision, Split Mar 2006
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38
Edgar vs. Henderson
UFC 144
Benson Henderson wins via Decision, Unanimous Feb 2012
-
39
Ferguson vs. Gaethje
UFC 249
Justin Gaethje wins via KO/TKO, Punches May 2020
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40
Penn vs. Florian
UFC 101
BJ Penn wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Aug 2009
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41
Imada vs. Masvidal
Bellator 5
Toby Imada wins via Submission, Inverted Triangle Choke May 2009
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43
Varner vs. Cerrone II
WEC 51
Donald Cerrone wins via Decision, Unanimous Sep 2010
-
42
Barboza vs. Gaethje
UFC on ESPN 2
Justin Gaethje wins via KO/TKO, Right Hook Mar 2019
-
44
Alvarez vs. Hansen
Dream 3
Eddie Alvarez wins via Decision, Unanimous May 2008
-
45
Cerrone vs. Guillard
UFC 150
Donald Cerrone wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick and Punch Aug 2012
-
46
Gomi vs. Kawajiri
Pride Bushido 9
Takanori Gomi wins via Submission, Rear Naked Choke Sep 2005
-
47
Melendez vs. Thomson I
Strikeforce
Josh Thomson wins via Decision, Unanimous Jun 2008
-
48
Horodecki vs. Njokuani
WEC 45
Anthony Njokuani wins via KO/TKO, Head Kick and Punches Dec 2009
-
49
Henderson vs. Pettis II
UFC 164
Anthony Pettis wins via Submission, Armbar Aug 2013
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50
Henderson vs. Miller
UFC on Versus 5
Benson Henderson wins via Decision, Unanimous Aug 2011