Lightweight 1-23-08

<!-- start -->

Rank

Fighter

Comments

1.

B.J. Penn

As a welterweight (and as a bloated 185- and 205-pounder), B.J. Penn was susceptible to laziness in the gym and a loss of focus in the cage. As a lightweight with a renewed sense of purpose, he’ll be able to fulfill the potential of a masterful skill set that earned him the name "The Prodigy." Penn has more sheer talent than nearly every other fighter in the world. If he continues to harness it, he’ll be unstoppable.

2.

Gesias Calvancanti

3.

Takanori Gomi

4.

Sean Sherk

5.

Mitsuhiro Ishida

6.

Gilbert Melendez

7.

Roger Huerta

We don’t often hear Roger Huerta’s name included in discussions of the top 5 fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division, which is unfortunate because he would destroy Kenny Florian, annihilate Nate Diaz, and come out on top of Tyson Griffin in a hard-fought decision. But hey, that’s just our opinion.

8.

Tatsuya Kawajiri

9.

Joachim Hansen

Norway-bred "Hellboy" is the only fighter in the world who can boast victories over both Gesias Calvancanti and Takanori Gomi. Though he’s 3-4 in his last seven matches, he looked impressive in a submission victory at K-1 Premium Dynamite on New Year’s Eve, and has all the tools to climb back up the world rankings.

10.

Kenny Florian

<!-- end -->