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 - 2025
Islam Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion.
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. Makhachev's next two title defenses were against Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano.
Latest Results from Lightweight Class
| Date | Fight | Method | Round | Time | Result |
| April 26, 2025 | Evan Elder vs. Gauge Young | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | Evan Elder def. Gauge Young |
UFC Lightweight Rankings 2025
| Rank | Fighter | Record | M | Win Streak | Result | Last fight | Next fight |
| C | Islam Makhachev | 27–1 | 15 (4 def) | Win | UFC 311 Renato Moicano | TBD | |
| 1 | Arman Tsarukyan | 22–3 | 4 | Win | UFC 300 Charles Oliveira | TBD | |
| 2 | Charles Oliveira | 35–10(1 NC) | 1 | Win | UFC 309 Michael Chandler | TBD | |
| 3 | Justin Gaethje | 26–5 | 1 | Win | UFC 313 Rafael Fiziev | TBD | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 26–8 | 0 | Loss | UFC 308 Ilia Topuria | UFC 318 Dustin Poirier | |
| 5 | Dustin Poirier | 30–9(1 NC) | 0 | Loss | UFC 302 Islam Makhachev | UFC 318 Max Holloway | |
| 6 | Dan Hooker | 24–12 | 3 | Win | UFC 305 Mateusz Gamrot | TBD | |
| 7 | Mateusz Gamrot | 24–3(1 NC) | 1 | 0 | Loss | UFC 305 Dan Hooker | UFC on ESPN 68 Ľudovít Klein |
| 8 | Paddy Pimblett | 23–3 | 4 | 9 | Win | UFC 314 Michael Chandler | TBD |
| 9 | Beneil Dariush | 22–6–1 | 0 | Loss | UFC on ESPN 52 Arman Tsarukyan | TBD | |
| 10 | Renato Moicano | 20–6–1 | 0 | Loss | UFC 311 Islam Makhachev | TBD | |
| 11 | Rafael Fiziev | 12–4 | 0 | Loss | UFC 313 Justin Gaethje | UFC on ABC 8 Ignacio Bahamondes | |
| 12 | Michael Chandler | 23–10 | −5 | 0 | Loss | UFC 314 Paddy Pimblett | TBD |
| 13 | Benoît Saint Denis | 13–3(1 NC) | 0 | Loss | UFC Fight Night 243 Renato Moicano | UFC 315 Joel Álvarez | |
| 14 | Grant Dawson | 23–2–1 | 3 | Win | UFC 311 Carlos Diego Ferreira | TBD | |
| 15 | Joel Álvarez | 22–3 | 3 | Win | UFC on ESPN 63 Drakkar Klose | UFC 315 Benoît Saint Denis |
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 "The Notorious" Conor McGregor won the Lightweight Title after defeating Eddie Alvarez via TKO and became the first mixed martial artist 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.
