Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Lightweight
1. Islam Makhachev (24-1) | UFC [1]
Though he was hardly dominant, Makhachev found a way at UFC 284, earning a five-round verdict against reigning featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski in the evening’s main event at the RAC Arena, in Perth, Australia. While the size advantage wasn’t as big a factor as expected, Makhachev nonetheless extended his winning streak to 12 and retained his 155-pound belt in the process. While he may yet have unfinished business with Volkanovski down the road, Makhachev will now to devote his focus to a full cadre of contenders in the UFC’s always-crowded lightweight division.2. Charles Oliveira (33-9, 1 NC) | UFC [2]
Oliveira entered UFC 280 with the confidence of someone on an 11-fight winning streak, but in the end he simply had no answers for Islam Makhachev. The Brazilian was outgunned on the feet and outgrappled on the canvas en route to a second-round submission loss in the evening’s main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The setback doesn’t diminish all that Oliveira has accomplished, most notably a complete turnaround from a middling featherweight to one of the top talents in the sport at 155 pounds. “Do Bronx” will look to return to the win column in a matchup with top contender Beneil Dariush at UFC 288.3. Dustin Poirier (29-7, 1 NC) | UFC [3]
Poirier proved there’s still a clear pecking order at lightweight, as he weathered a strong early push from Michael Chandler to secure a third-round submission victory at UFC 281 in New York. “The Diamond” has won four of his last five Octagon appearances and he could very well get a third shot at lightweight gold sooner than expected after recent foe Charles Oliveira was dethroned by Islam Makhachev at UFC 280. Regardless, Poirier proved he still ranks among the best lightweights in the sport and should continue to be involved in high-profile bouts.4. Beneil Dariush (22-4-1) | UFC [4]
Though he might’ve been on the verge of a title shot already, Dariush accepted a risky fight against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 and delivered, winning a hard-fought unanimous decision in Abu Dhabi. The Kings MMA product has won eight consecutive bouts within the Las Vegas-based promotion and looks to have as strong a case as anyone for the next opportunity at lightweight gold. Additionally, his 16 career 155-pound triumphs are tied for third-most in division history. Dariush will need to prove himself one more time when he faces ex-champ Charles Oliveira at UFC 288.5. Justin Gaethje (24-4) | UFC [5]
Gaethje faced a stern challenge from surging contender Rafael Fiziev in the UFC 286 co-main event, but “The Highlight” pulled away down the stretch for a hard-fought majority decision triumph at the O2 Arena in London. The former interim lightweight champion has won six of his last eight promotional appearances, with his only defeats during that stretch coming in title bouts against Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Gaethje announced in a post-fight interview that he has designs on making one last run at lightweight gold, but he also warned that his time in the sport has an expiration date.6. Michael Chandler (23-8) | UFC [6]
Once again, Chandler had an opponent reeling but couldn’t finish the job, as he was submitted by Dustin Poirier in a featured lightweight affair at UFC 281. Although he has lost three of his last four UFC outings, Chandler remains a favorite with promotional brass thanks to his penchant for all-action fights. That status is reflected in his next assigment, which is a coaching stint on “The Ultimate Fighter 31” opposite Conor McGregor before a showdown with the Irish superstar in the Octagon at some point in 2023.7. Rafael Fiziev (12-2) | UFC [7]
The stage was set for Fiziev to make a leap into the next tier of championship contenders in London, but Justin Gaethje had other ideas, as the two-time lightweight title challenger used a late push to capture a majority decision triumph in the UFC 286 co-main event. “Ataman” sees a six-bout UFC winning streak snapped in defeat, but his stock shouldn’t fall far after coming up just short against one of the division’s best.8. Mateusz Gamrot (22-2, 1 NC) | UFC [8]
Gamrot accepted a difficult fight against Jalin Turner on less than two week’s notice at UFC 285 and the gamble paid off, as he relied on his relentless wrestling to a capture a split-decision triumph at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The former KSW champion has been victorious in five of his last six promotional appearances, with his lone defeat during that time coming at the hands of top lightweight contender Beneil Dariush. Another ranked opponent should be next for “Gamer.”9. Dan Hooker (22-12) | UFC [9]
After losing four of his last five Octagon appearances, Hooker showed he still has a little juice left at UFC 281, as he finished the submission-minded Claudio Puelles with a body kick 4:06 into Round 2 of their lightweight encounter in New York. “The Hangman” ended the five-fight winning streak of the fast-rising Puelles and proved he’s still one of the top action fighters in the division in the process. An injury forced Hooker to withdraw from a potential all-action pairing against Jalin Turner at UFC 285.10. Arman Tsarukyan (19-3) UFC [10]
Tsarukyan relied on constant pressure, both through takedowns and clinch work, to wear down Damir Ismagulov and capture a unanimous decision triumph in the UFC Fight Night 216 co-main event. It’s a high-quality win for the American Top Team-trained Russian, as Ismagulov entered the bout riding high on a 19-fight winning streak. The 26-year-old Tsarukyan is 6-2 in UFC competition, with his only defeats coming to current 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev in his promotional debut and in a closely contested five-round verdict against Mateusz Gamrot in June 2022. Next, Tsarukyan will lock horns with Renato Carneiro in a main event matchup on April 29.Other Contenders: Rafael dos Anjos, Damir Ismagulov, Jalin Turner, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Usman Nurmagomedov.
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