These are still in the alpha stages, and there are some important things to mention as there are some major differences between these rankings and the FightMatrix ratings.
- Rankings ARE division specific, however some fighters will experience run-over into divisions they jumped in and out of. Fighters CAN appear in more than one list, and will only given credit during times in which they produced quality performances in these divisions. Due to this, divisional info is seriously depended upon. This is a large reason why I think this is still in the alpha stage.
- Years of 1990 and later are considered.
- Monthly ranking snapshots are taken. Fighters are given points based on their standing in the Top 15, with the most points going toward a #1 spot, a little less to #2, right on down the line. Having longevity at the top of the division is key and those who only spend a limited time in a division will suffer. Divisional depth at the time is also given consideration.
- Heavyweight will look a bit odd, as it will include those who excelled at open-weight back in the 1990s.
| Rank | Fighter | Total Record | All-Time Division Points | |
| 1 |  Takanori GomiLast Fight: 5/10/2009 |
30-5-0 |
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| 2 |  B.J. PennLast Fight: 8/8/2009 |
14-5-1 |
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| 3 |  Vitor RibeiroLast Fight: 7/20/2009 |
20-3-0 |
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| 4 | Tatsuya Kawajiri Last Fight: 5/26/2009 |
24-5-2 |
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| 5 | Marcus Aurelio Last Fight: 8/23/2009 |
18-8-0 |
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| 6 | Yves Edwards Last Fight: 8/9/2009 |
34-15-1 |
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| 7 |  Joachim HansenLast Fight: 7/21/2008 |
19-7-1 |
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| 8 | Caol Uno Last Fight: 6/13/2009 |
25-12-4 |
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| 9 | Dokonjonosuke Mishima Last Fight: 8/23/2009 |
19-7-0 |
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| 10 | Gesias Calvancante Last Fight: 6/22/2008 |
14-3-1 |
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1. Takanori Gomi (1,192 All-Time Lightweight Points)
Its not even close. Gomi has spent his entire 10+ year career at Lightweight, having separate undefeated spans of 14 fights, and 10 fights. He’s beaten a who’s who list of fighters, including Tatsuya Kawajiri, Marcus Aurelio, Mitsuhiro Ishida, Hayato Sakurai, Dokonjonosuke Mishima, and Jens Pulver, amongst others. He’s been a bit lackluster of late, but there’s no doubting his legacy.
2. B.J. Penn (616)
Regardless of his somewhat disappointing endeavors outside of the Lightweight division, Penn has done just enough at 155 to get him the #2 spot on this list. Wins at Lightweight over names like Takanori Gomi, Caol Uno, Joe Stevenson, Jens Pulver, and Sean Sherk, plus winning the UFC Lightweight Championship twice, has secured him a lofty spot on this list. It remains to be seen whether or not he can unseat Gomi at #1, but much of it will have to do with what weight class he decides to compete in.
3. Vitor Ribeiro (608)
Like Gomi, he’s probably on the downside of his career. But also like Gomi, he was one of the premier Lightweights throughout the early- and mid 2000s. A TKO loss to Tatsuya Kawajiri was the only loss in the first five and a half years of his career. He also holds a win over Kawajiri, as well as wins over Joachim Hansen, Mitsuhiro Ishida and others.
4. Tatsuya Kawajiri (462)
The best Lightweight to have never fought on American soil, Kawajiri still kept his opposition strength at a high level throughout his career. Holding a Top 10 Lightweight ranking on FightMatrix historical snapshots for nearly five years, he finds himself just barely outside of the current Top 10. If he wants to challenge for a Top 3 spot on this list, he’ll need to another big win or two.
5. Marcus Aurelio (456)
A bit of a surprise here, but the proof is in the pudding. Aurelio holds a dominant win over a prime Takanori Gomi, and almost pulled off a second win, dropping a split decision. Was also winner of the 16-man 2004 ZST Grand Prix, beating Masakazu Imanari and Rich Clementi in the process. Despite many solid wins and performances, he’s without any wins against All-Time Lightweight Top 10s sans Gomi. Nevertheless, he hardly ever loses in clear fashion, having never been stopped or submitted, and only losing unanimously twice.
6. Yves Edwards (410)
Fighting in the Lightweight division since late 2001, Edwards rose to the top of the heap with his run in 2004-05 where he defeated Hermes Franca (2x), Josh Thomson, and Dokonjonosuke Mishima. His overall resume is somewhat tarnished due to having 15 losses, and a couple streaks of mediocrity. Not having been very relevant for the last three years, he’s likely to be passed on this list sooner, rather than later.
7. Joachim Hansen (404)
Only six points behind Edwards, Hansen is ready to move up to #6. Inactive of late due to injury, he’s had a solid career with wins over Caol Uno, Masakazu Imanari, Yves Edwards, Gesias Calvacante and Takanori Gomi. A bout of inconsistency which saw him go 2-4 marred his ranking between late 2005 and late 2007, but he picked it up afterward by winning the Dream Lightweight tournament where he went 3-1.
8. Caol Uno (292)
With nearly 15 years as a professional fighter, Uno has found himself at, or near the top of the Lightweight division quite a few times. In fact, he was one of the very best in the division between the late 90s and early 00s with his high point coming in late 1998 where he ranked #1 for a year.
9. Dokonjonosuke Mishima (283)
As you can see from the decrease in point level, the Top 7 are strongly cemented in this division. Mishima is the best of the rest, narrowly edging out Caol Uno who’s at #9. Though he’s recently been at Featherweight, Mishima dominated the DEEP Lightweight scene for years and racked up some good wins in the process.
10. Gesias Calvancante (266)
JZ’s “prime period” has been short and may be over, with a no contest and two disappointing performances in a row. Although he has some impressive wins on his ledger, longevity at the top is key.