Let's look at all you need to know about UFC Lightweight Division.
UFC Lightweight Division
The Lightweight Division in MMA contains different weight classes. The UFC Lightweight Division, in particular, limits fighters to 146-155 lb (66-70 kg). The UFC Lightweight Division is between the Featherweight and Welterweight Division. The current UFC Lightweight Division is also considered one of the most stacked UFC Weight Classes.
UFC Lightweight Champion - 2023
Islam Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion.
(Photo courtesy: UFC Twitter: @ufc)
Makhachev defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 by a triangle arm choke on October 21, 2022, at Etihad Arena Abu Dhabi. Likewise, Makhachev is on a winning streak of 11 straight and wins and has not defended the title once yet.
On February 12, 2023, Makhachev successfully defended his UFC Lightweight title against Alexander Volkanovski, at UFC 284, via a unanimous decision.
Latest Results from Lightweight Class
| Date | Fight | Method | Round | Results |
| June 3, 2023 | Jim Miller vs. Ľudovít Klein | KO (punch) | R1 (0:23) | Jim Miller def. Jesse Butler |
| June 3, 2023 | Jamie Mullarkey vs. Muhammad Naimov | TKO (punches) | R2 (2:59) | Muhammad Naimov def. Jamie Mullarkey |
UFC Lightweight Rankings 2023
| Rank | Fighter | Record | M | Win Streak | Result | Last fight | Next fight |
| C | Islam Makhachev | 24–1 | 12 (1 def) | Win | UFC 284 Alexander Volkanovski | TBD | |
| 1 | Charles Oliveira | 33–9 (1 NC) | 0 | Loss | UFC 280 Islam Makhachev | UFC 289 Beneil Dariush | |
| 2 | Dustin Poirier | 29–7 (1 NC) | 1 | Win | UFC 281 Michael Chandler | UFC 291 Justin Gaethje | |
| 3 | Justin Gaethje | 24–4 | 1 | Win | UFC 286 Rafael Fiziev | UFC 291 Dustin Poirier | |
| 4 | Beneil Dariush | 22–4–1 | 8 | Win | UFC 280 Mateusz Gamrot | UFC 289 Charles Oliveira | |
| 5 | Michael Chandler | 23–8 | 0 | Loss | UFC 281 Dustin Poirier | TBD Conor McGregor | |
| 6 | Rafael Fiziev | 12–2 | 0 | Loss | UFC 286 Justin Gaethje | TBD | |
| 7 | Mateusz Gamrot | 22–2 (1 NC) | 1 | Win | UFC 285 Jalin Turner | TBD | |
| 8 | Arman Tsarukyan | 19–3 | 1 | Win | UFC Fight Night 216 Damir Ismagulov | UFC on ESPN 47 Joaquim Silva | |
| 9 | Rafael dos Anjos | 32–14 | 1 | Win | UFC on ESPN 42 Bryan Barberena | UFC Fight Night 226 Vicente Luque | |
| 10 | Jalin Turner | 13–6 | 0 | Loss | UFC 285 Mateusz Gamrot | UFC 290 Dan Hooker | |
| 11 | Dan Hooker | 22–12 | 1 | Win | UFC 281 Claudio Puelles | UFC 290 Jalin Turner | |
| 12 | Damir Ismagulov | 24–2 | 0 | Loss | UFC Fight Night 216 Arman Tsarukyan | UFC on ESPN 48 Grant Dawson | |
| 13 | Renato Moicano | 17–5–1 | 1 | Win | UFC 281 Brad Riddell | TBD | |
| 14 | Matt Frevola | 11–3–1 | 3 | Win | UFC 288 Drew Dober | TBD | |
| 15 | Grant Dawson | 19–1–1 | 2 | Win | UFC Fight Night 214 Mark Madsen | UFC on ESPN 48 Damir Ismagulov |
Latest Updates on Different UFC Weight Classes
History of Lightweight Division
Before UFC 31 in 2001, the Lightweight Title was known as the Bantamweight Title. The Strikeforce Lightweight Title was seemingly unified with the UFC Lightweight Title on April 20 20, 2013, when Benson Henderson defeated Gilbert Melendez.
The UFC Lightweight Title has been held by the likes of Frankie Edgar, Anthony Pettis, Rafael Dos Anjos, and Eddie Alvarez throughout the years. At UFC 205, Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor won the Lightweight Title after defeating Eddie Alvarez via TKO and became the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously.
At UFC 223, Khabib Nurmagomedov became the Lightweight Champion after defeating Al Iaquinta via a unanimous decision. Khabib went on to defend the title against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje and tied the record for the most title defenses in the division along with Benson Henderson.
He announced his retirement at UFC 254, though the title is yet to be vacated. On March 18 18, 2021, Dana White confirmed that Khabib had officially retired and removed the title.
Charles Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler at UFC 262 to become the UFC Lightweight Champion. Unfortunately, despite winning his fight against Dustin Gaethje at UFC 274, Charles Oliveira was stripped of his title after failing to make the weight before the war.
Islam Makhachev is the new UFC lightweight champion after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.
At UFC 284, Makhachev successfully defended his title in his first title defense against Alexander Volkanovski.
UFC Weight Divisions
Men
Women
- Featherweight
- Bantamweight
- Flyweight
- Strawweight
Click to learn about UFC Rankings.
*Last updated June 4, 2023
