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.

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

#1 -- James Nakashima (7-0)

Nakashima recently captured the LFA welterweight title after taking out No. 4-ranked Derrick Krantz by split decision on Sept. 22. Expect the 28-year-old fighter to be picked up by the UFC soon. 

#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 Stewart 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 by 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 dropped his LFA welterweight title to James Nakashima on Sept. 22. However, Krantz remains in the No. 4 spot due to the fact it was a competitive, split-decision setback. 

#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 James Nakashima.

More FloCombat Prospect Rankings for October 2017 

Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight

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