Rankings based off the following....

• North American fighters only. For example, Thiago Moises wouldn't qualify for these rankings despite training in the U.S.

• No fighters who have fought for or who are set to fight for the UFC.

• Fighters competing on Dana White's Contender Series included.

• No long-term Bellator fighters or champions. Exceptions for some preliminary fighters.

• All fighters aged 30 and under.

• Rankings based off age, record, and level of competition.

September Notes

- Nick Barnes enters the top five after his win over previously fifth-ranked Chad Curry on Aug. 25.  

- Bobby Lee was mistakenly missed off last month's list. He has been added in the No. 12 spot.

- Ben Egli was mistakenly missed off last month's list. He has been added in the No. 16 spot.

- Jared Gooden was mistakenly missed off last month's list. He has been added in the No. 17 spot.

- Quinton Parks Jr. was mistakenly missed off last month's list. He has been added in the No. 18 spot.

- Joey Pierotti was mistakenly missed off last month's list. He has been added in the No. 19 spot.

- Evan Cutts was mistakenly missed off last month's list. He has been added in the No. 20 spot.

RANK	NAME	AGE	RECORD	COUNTRY	NEXT FIGHT	PREVIOUS RANKING
1	James Nakashima	28	7-0	USA	Fights Sept. 22 vs. Derrick Krantz	1
2	Kyle Stewart	28	9-0	USA		2
3	Jaleel Willis	25	8-0	USA		3
4	Derrick Krantz	29	20-9	USA	Fights Sept. 22 vs. James Nakashima	4
5	Nick Barnes	26	12-2	USA		8
6	Chad Curry	27	9-2	USA		5
7	Jason Jackson	26	7-3	USA		6
8	Mark Lemminger	24	6-0	USA	Fights Oct. 7 vs. Patrick Delgado	7
9	Sean Brady	24	6-0	USA		9
10	Braden Smith	21	8-2	USA		11
11	Curtis Millender	29	12-3	USA		12
12	Bobby Lee	21	7-1	USA		NR
13	Chris Curtis	30	16-5	USA	Fights Sept. 9 vs. Peter Grajcar	13
14	Peter Grajcar	26	5-0	CANADA	Fights Sept 9 vs. Chris Curtis	14
15	Marcus Edwards	28	13-5	USA		17
16	Ben Egli	29	10-1	USA		NR
17	Jared Gooden	23	8-2	USA		NR
18	Quinton Parks Jr.	27	6-0	USA		NR
19	Joey Pierotti	27	7-0	USA		NR
20	Evan Cutts	26	8-3	USA		NR

#1 -- James Nakashima (7-0)

Nakashima would likely be a member of the UFC's welterweight division right now if it weren't for the fact that all seven of his wins are by decision. Ask any fighters at The MMA Lab and they'll rave about this 28-year-old welterweight standout. Nakashima is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Bellator veteran LaRue Burley at LFA 11 back in May. Nakashima fights LFA welterweight champion and No. 4-ranked Derrick Krantz on Sept. 22. 

#2 -- Kyle Stewart (9-0)

Stewart is coming off a TKO win over Jason Jackson, which unfortunately ended abruptly due to an ankle injury to the Combat Club standout on July 25. The 28-year-old has won seven of his nine-career fights by stoppage and holds a win over UFC veteran Estevan Payan. With the welterweight division being as deep as it is in the UFC, expect Stewart to compete one more time before getting a UFC call-up.

#3 -- Jaleel Willis (8-0)

Willis captured the V3 Fights welterweight title in June defeating Nolan Norwood by unanimous decision at V3 Fights 60. The 25-year-old Willis boasts wins over previously undefeated fighters Chauncey Foxworth and Omar Johnson. Willis also has four of his eight career wins by knockout.

#4 -- Derrick Krantz (20-9)

Krantz is a former Legacy FC welterweight champion and recently won the LFA 170-pound title back in May, defeating Ben Neumann by second-round TKO at LFA 12. The 29-year-old has also notched wins over UFC veterans Brock Larson, Daniel Roberts, and Kyle Bradley. Krantz is a master on the mat, with 11 of his 20 career wins coming by submission. Krantz defends his welterweight title against No. 1-ranked James Nakashima on Sept. 22. 

#5 -- Nick Barnes (12-2)

Barnes defeated previously No. 5-ranked Chad Curry (9-2) on Aug. 25 by split decision. The 26-year-old Barnes has won three of his last four fights, with his lone loss coming against Brian Camozzi at RFA 43 in August 2016. If he doesn't get picked up by the UFC, expect Barnes to compete for the LFA welterweight title against the winner of champion Derrick Krantz vs. James Nakashima on Sept. 22.

More FloCombat Prospect Rankings for September 2017: 

Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight 
Middleweight 

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