UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and No. 1 contender Gilbert Melendez are set to meet later this year after they appear as coaches on the 20th season of the Ultimate Fighter in a highly-anticipated title fight. But this week the division got a bit of shakeup as it relates to the official UFC rankings.
Hot prospect Khabib Nurmagomedov (22-0), coming off another impressive performance in his decision victory over Rafael dos Anjos, jumped up two spots to the No. 4 slot after injured T.J. Grant and inactive Nate Diaz were pulled from the rankings to make way for new possible title contenders.
There is no timetable in place for Grant's return from injury or for Diaz, who has refused to accept bout proposals.
Meanwhile in the division, No. 3-ranked Benson Henderson (20-3), the former lightweight champion, looking to make his case for another crack at the title, will take on Rustam Khabilov (17-1), an up-and-coming fighter who has compiled a perfect 3-0 record inside the Octagon, in the main event of Fight Night in Albuquerque, NM on June 7.
Michael Johnson (No. 10) and Myles Jury (No. 9) both are on win streaks and looking to take advantage of their move up the rankings. Jury is set to face Abel Trujillo on June 28 in New Zealand. Jury holds a decision win over Johnson in their late 2012 battle.
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