UFC Lightweight 2025

Last Modified Apr 13, 2025 10:09 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 - 2025

UFC 311 Press Conference
UFC 311 Press Conference

Islam Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion.

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.

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.

Also Read: UFC Champions

Latest Results from Lightweight Class

Date Fight MethodRoundTimeResult
April 12, 2025Michael Chandler vs. Paddy PimblettTKO (elbows and punches)33:07
Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler
April 12, 2025Jim Miller vs. Chase HooperDecision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)35:00
Chase Hooper def. Jim Miller

UFC Lightweight Rankings 2025

RankFighterRecordMWin StreakResultLast fightNext fight
CIslam Makhachev27–1 15 (4 def)WinUFC 311 Renato MoicanoTBD
1Arman Tsarukyan22–3 4WinUFC 300 Charles OliveiraTBD
2Charles Oliveira35–10(1 NC) 1WinUFC 309 Michael ChandlerTBD
3Justin Gaethje26–5 1WinUFC 313 Rafael FizievTBD
4Max Holloway26–8 0LossUFC 308 Ilia TopuriaTBD
5Dustin Poirier30–9(1 NC) 0LossUFC 302 Islam MakhachevTBD
6Dan Hooker24–12 3WinUFC 305 Mateusz GamrotTBD
7Michael Chandler23–10 0LossUFC 314 Paddy PimblettTBD
8Mateusz Gamrot24–3(1 NC) 0LossUFC 305 Dan HookerTBD
9Beneil Dariush22–6–1 0LossUFC on ESPN 52 Arman TsarukyanTBD
10Renato Moicano20–6–1 0LossUFC 311 Islam MakhachevTBD
11Rafael Fiziev12–4 0LossUFC 313 Justin GaethjeTBD
12Paddy Pimblett23–3 9WinUFC 314 Michael ChandlerTBD
13Benoît Saint Denis13–3(1 NC) 0LossUFC Fight Night 243 Renato Moicano
UFC 315 Joel Álvarez
14Grant Dawson23–2–1 3WinUFC 311 Carlos Diego FerreiraTBD
15Ignacio Bahamondes17–5 3WinUFC 313 Jalin TurnerTBD

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

  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.

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.

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