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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 devote his focus to a full cadre of contenders in the UFC’s always-crowded lightweight division. That begins with a Charles Oliveira rematch at UFC 284 in Abu Dhabi.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 has earned himself a rematch with Makhachev in the UFC 284 main event.3. Justin Gaethje (25-4) | UFC [3]
Gaethje picked up a statement win — and the UFC’s BMF belt — in style at UFC 291, getting the better of Dustin Poirier for six minutes before flattening him with a head kick. In avenging his 2018 loss to Poirier, “The Highlight” reaffirmed his status as a top contender in the UFC lightweight division. He figures to be one of the most invested watchers of the Islam Makhachev-Charles Oliveira title rematch at UFC 294 in October.4. Dustin Poirier (29-8, 1 NC) | UFC [4]
Poirier came up definitively short in his attempt to go 2-0 against Justin Gaethje and win the BMF title at UFC 291. Where their 2018 first meeting had been an instant classic, the rematch was a mauling, as “The Diamond” struggled with Gaethje on the feet for a round before being felled by a vicious head kick early in the second. The loss places the onetime interim champ and perennial contender perhaps further from another title shot than he has been in several years.5. Beneil Dariush (22-5-1) | UFC [5]
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.6. Mateusz Gamrot (23-2, 1 NC) | UFC [8]
Gamrot picked up his latest victory in anticlimactic fashion when opponent Rafael Fiziev suffered a knee injury early in the second round of their headlining encounter at UFC Fight Night 228. While it likely wasn’t the way Gamrot would have liked to win, “Gamer” has been victorious in six of his last seven promotional appearances, making him one of the top contenders in the UFC at 155 pounds.7. 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 the future.8. Rafael Fiziev (12-3) | UFC [7]
In what was shaping up to be an intriguing clash of lightweight contenders, Fiziev suffered what an unfortunate knee injury early in the second round of his headling clash against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Fight Night 228. Not only is Fiziev mired in the first two-bout skid of his professional career, but he’ll likely face a fairly lengthy recover process before he can return to action within the Las Vegas-based promotion.9. Dan Hooker (23-12) | UFC [9]
Hooker’s trademark resilience shone through at UFC 290, as he rallied for a wildly entertaining split-decision victory over Jalin Turner at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After losing four of five Octagon appearances from June 2020 to March 2022, “The Hangman” has secured back-to-back triumphs over Turner and Claudio Puelles. Thanks to his all-action style, Hooker figures to remain a fan favorite no matter what the future holds.10. Grant Dawson (20-1-1) UFC [10]
Dawson announced his presence to the rest of the lightweight division at UFC on ABC 48, where he dominated Damir Ismagulov for three rounds en route to a lopsided unanimous decision triumph. Although he is unbeaten in nine UFC appearances, “KGD” had been somewhat overlooked prior to his most recent performance — perhaps due in part to a draw against Ricky Glenn and a weight miss ahead of a victory over Mark O. Madsen. The American Top Team product appears to have turned a corner now and he’ll get his first-ever headlining date against Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 229.Other Contenders: Arman Tsarukyan, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Damir Ismagulov, Usman Nurmagomedov, Jalin Turner.
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