With Sean Sherk defeating Hermes Franca at UFC 73, he holds on to the top spot in the UFC Lightweight division. But who fills the rest of the top five?
The top five fighters in the UFC Lightweight division were hard to determine. After the champion at first, four more spots needed to be filled. This is a division with a lot of depth that increases constantly.
1. Sean Sherk- UFC Lightweight Champion
Despite mixed reviews regarding Sherk’s fight against Hermes Franca at UFC 73 last Saturday night, Sherk is still the top dog in the Lightweight division. Until somebody dethrones him, he will remain at the top.
Sherk is a very dominating fighter and proved so against Franca, last Saturday night. This was his first title defense since winning it last October at UFC 64, against Kenny Florian.
With the world in the palm of his hand, Sherk looks for a new opponent. But who is the “Muscle Shark,” facing next?
2. BJ Penn- Back in the game
That’s right, “The Prodigy,” is back in the Lightweight division, after a stint in the Welterweight division.
Before making the transition to Welterweight, Penn was considered by many to be one of the first great Lightweights in not only the UFC, but all of Mixed Martial Arts.
Penn recently returned to the division that helped create his legacy as one of the top fighters of this era. He defeated Jens Pulver in the main event of The Ultimate Finale Live, last month.
With his win over Pulver, Penn is expected to get a Lightweight title shot against Sherk. The fight is expected to go down later this fall.
3. Joe Stevenson- Lightweight contender
Since winning the season two Welterweight title of The Ultimate Fighter, Stevenson has been a hit in the Lightweight division.
He has proven himself to be a solid contender at the Lightweight level. He will have a chance to move up the Lightweight ladder, as he takes on Kurt Pellegrino, next month at UFC 74.
Stevenson defeated Melvin Guillard at an Ultimate Fight Night event, in April. A win certainly enters “Daddy” into the title picture.
4. Kenny Florian- Looking for another title shot
Much like Stevenson, Florian has had huge success since being on TUF. After losing to Diego Sanchez in the Finale, Florian made the drop to Lightweight and has been a force to be reckoned with.
No doubt about it, Florian is a worthy contender of the Lightweight title. He defeated Alvin Robinson at UFC 73 last week. No word yet as to who is opponent may be.
5. Spencer Fisher
Fisher has been a true standout in the UFC. Recently, he defeated Sam Stout at a UFC Fight Night, last month. No official word yet on who his next opponent will be.
Among the Lightweight fighters up for consideration in the rankings include, Roger Huerta, Hermes Franca, Din Thomas, Joe Lauzon and Ultimate Fighter season five winner, Nate Diaz.
Diaz was the first fighter outside the top five.
