UFC Lightweight - 2023

Last Modified Jun 04, 2023 06:55 GMT

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.



Islam Makhachev with his lightweight belt at UFC 280
(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 MethodRoundResults
June 3, 2023Jim Miller vs. Ľudovít KleinKO (punch)R1 (0:23)
Jim Miller def. Jesse Butler
June 3, 2023Jamie Mullarkey vs. Muhammad NaimovTKO (punches)R2 (2:59)
Muhammad Naimov def. Jamie Mullarkey


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UFC Lightweight Rankings 2023


RankFighterRecordMWin StreakResultLast fightNext fight
CIslam Makhachev24–1 12
(1 def)
WinUFC 284 Alexander VolkanovskiTBD
1Charles Oliveira33–9
(1 NC)
0LossUFC 280 Islam Makhachev
UFC 289 Beneil Dariush
2Dustin Poirier29–7
(1 NC)
1WinUFC 281 Michael Chandler
UFC 291 Justin Gaethje
3Justin Gaethje24–4 1WinUFC 286 Rafael Fiziev
UFC 291 Dustin Poirier
4Beneil Dariush22–4–1 8WinUFC 280 Mateusz Gamrot
UFC 289 Charles Oliveira
5Michael Chandler23–8 0LossUFC 281 Dustin Poirier
TBD Conor McGregor
6Rafael Fiziev12–2 0LossUFC 286 Justin GaethjeTBD
7Mateusz Gamrot22–2
(1 NC)
1WinUFC 285 Jalin TurnerTBD
8Arman Tsarukyan19–3 1WinUFC Fight Night 216 Damir Ismagulov
UFC on ESPN 47 Joaquim Silva
9Rafael dos Anjos32–14 1WinUFC on ESPN 42 Bryan Barberena
UFC Fight Night 226 Vicente Luque
10Jalin Turner13–6 0LossUFC 285 Mateusz Gamrot
UFC 290 Dan Hooker
11Dan Hooker22–12 1WinUFC 281 Claudio Puelles
UFC 290 Jalin Turner
12Damir Ismagulov24–2 0LossUFC Fight Night 216 Arman Tsarukyan
UFC on ESPN 48 Grant Dawson
13Renato Moicano17–5–1 1WinUFC 281 Brad RiddellTBD
14Matt Frevola11–3–1 3WinUFC 288 Drew DoberTBD
15Grant Dawson19–1–1 2WinUFC 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

  1. Heavyweight
  2. Light Heavyweight
  3. Middleweight
  4. Welterweight
  5. Lightweight
  6. Featherweight
  7. Bantamweight
  8. Flyweight


Women

  1. Featherweight
  2. Bantamweight
  3. Flyweight
  4. Strawweight


Click to learn about UFC Rankings.


*Last updated June 4, 2023

FAQs

Who is the current UFC Lightweight  Champion?

Islam Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion.

Who is the No.1 ranked fighter in UFC lightweight?

Charles Oliveira is the No.1 contender in the UFC lightweight division.

What is the UFC lightweight Limit?

The lightweight division is set to weigh from 146 to 155 lb (66-70 kg).