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 (34-9, 1 NC) | UFC [2]
After relinquishing his belt to Islam Makhachev in October 2022, Oliveira made an emphatic statement in his return, as he defeated top contender Beneil Dariush via first-round technical knockout in the UFC 289 co-main event. “Do Bronx” held his own with Dariush on the canvas, but it was on the feet that he did his best work, rattling the Kings MMA product with head kicks and heavy punches before sealing his victory with ground-and-pound. By ending the eight-fight winning streak of his opponent, Oliveira makes a strong case for receiving a rematch with Makhachev at a future event.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 continues to prove that he ranks among the best lightweights in the sport. His next assignment will be a rematch with Justin Gaethje in the UFC 291 headliner — this time with the “BMF” title at stake.4. Beneil Dariush (22-5-1) | UFC [4]
Seemingly on the verge of a lightweight title shot, Dariush saw those dreams come crashing down in a first-round technical knockout loss to ex-champ Charles Oliveira in the UFC 289 co-main event. The 36-year-old Kings MMA product sees an eight-bout winning streak snapped in defeat, and barring unforeseen circumstances, has more work ahead of him if he is to reach the top of the lightweight mountain before his career is done.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. First, he’ll attempt to avenge a previous loss to Dustin Poirier in the UFC 291 main event.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 assignment, 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 weeks’ 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. That fight has been rebooked for UFC 290.10. Arman Tsarukyan (20-3) UFC [10]
Tsarukyan survived a brief scare when he was wobbled in Round 2 but was largely dominant in a third-round technical knockout victory over Joaquim Silva in the UFC on ESPN 47 co-main event. Since dropping his promotional debut to Islam Makhachev, the American Top Team-trained Russian has won seven of eight UFC bouts. After having a higher-profile opportunity against Renato Carneiro fall through earlier in 2023, Tsarukyan deserves a ranked opponent in his next outing. .Other Contenders: Rafael dos Anjos, Damir Ismagulov, Jalin Turner, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Usman Nurmagomedov.
Jump To »
HEAVYWEIGHT
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
MIDDLEWEIGHT
WELTERWEIGHT
LIGHTWEIGHT
FEATHERWEIGHT
BANTAMWEIGHT
FLYWEIGHT
WOMEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT
WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT
WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT
WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT
WOMEN'S ATOMWEIGHT