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 - 2024
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.
Makhachev once again defended the belt against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 via a first-round KO.
Latest Results from Lightweight Class
| Date | Fight | Method | Round | Time | Result |
| August 24, 2024 | Francis Marshall vs. Dennis Buzukja | Decision (split) (28–29, 30–27, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | Francis Marshall def. Dennis Buzukja |
| August 24, 2024 | Viacheslav Borshchev vs. James Llontop | Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | Viacheslav Borshchev def. James Llontop |
UFC Lightweight Rankings 2024
| Rank | Fighter | Record | M | Win Streak | Result | Last fight | Next fight |
| C | Islam Makhachev | 26–1 | 14 (3 def) | Win | UFC 302 Dustin Poirier | TBD | |
| 1 | Arman Tsarukyan | 22–3 | 4 | Win | UFC 300 Charles Oliveira | TBD | |
| 2 | Charles Oliveira | 34–10 (1 NC) | 0 | Loss | UFC 300 Arman Tsarukyan | TBD | |
| 3 | Justin Gaethje | 25–5 | 0 | Loss | UFC 300 Max Holloway | TBD | |
| 4 | Dustin Poirier | 30–9 (1 NC) | 0 | Loss | UFC 302 Islam Makhachev | TBD | |
| 5 | Dan Hooker | 24–12 | 6 | 3 | Win | UFC 305 Mateusz Gamrot | TBD |
| 6 | Michael Chandler | 23–8 | 0 | Loss | UFC 281 Dustin Poirier | TBA Conor McGregor | |
| 7 | Beneil Dariush | 22–6–1 | 0 | Loss | UFC on ESPN 52 Arman Tsarukyan | TBD | |
| 8 | Mateusz Gamrot | 24–3 (1 NC) | −3 | 0 | Loss | UFC 305 Dan Hooker | TBD |
| 9 | Max Holloway | 26–7 | 3 | Win | UFC 300 Justin Gaethje | UFC 308 Ilia Topuria | |
| 10 | Rafael Fiziev | 12–3 | −2 | 0 | Loss | UFC Fight Night 228 Mateusz Gamrot | TBD |
| 11 | Renato Moicano | 19–5–1 | −1 | 3 | Win | UFC 300 Jalin Turner | UFC Fight Night 243 Benoît Saint Denis |
| 12 | Benoît Saint Denis | 13–2 (1 NC) | 0 | Loss | UFC 299 Dustin Poirier | UFC Fight Night 243 Renato Moicano | |
| 13 | Rafael dos Anjos | 32–16 | 0 | Loss | UFC 299 Mateusz Gamrot | UFC 308 Geoff Neal | |
| 14 | Jalin Turner | 14–8 | 0 | Loss | UFC 300 Renato Moicano | TBD | |
| 15 | Paddy Pimblett | 22–3 | 8 | Win | UFC 304 King Green | TBD |
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.
Makhachev once again defended the lightweight belt against Alexander 'The Great' Volkanovski at UFC 294 via a first-round head kick KO.
UFC Weight Divisions
Men
Women
- Featherweight
- Bantamweight
- Flyweight
- Strawweight
Click to learn about UFC Rankings.
FAQs On UFC Lightweight
A. Islam Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion.
A. Arman Tsarukyan is the No.1 contender in the UFC lightweight division.
A. The lightweight division is set to weigh from 146 to 155 lb (66-70 kg).
A. Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered as one of the best lightweight in the UFC.
A. Conor McGregor has fought multiple times in the lightweight division before.
