Ilia Topuria. That’s the name currently sitting atop the mountain at 155 pounds. If you haven't been keeping up with the chaotic shuffling of the UFC lightweight division lately, you're probably asking how a guy who was just cleaning out the featherweight ranks ended up here.
Honestly, the way it happened was terrifyingly clinical.
After essentially ending the Alexander Volkanovski era and then sending Max Holloway into the shadow realm, "El Matador" decided he wanted more. He didn't just want a belt; he wanted the belt in the deepest, most dangerous division in the sport. He moved up, faced the legends, and now, as we sit in January 2026, Ilia Topuria is the undisputed lightweight ufc champion.
It’s a weird time for the division. For years, we got used to the Dagestani dominance of Islam Makhachev. But with Makhachev moving up to 170 to chase double-champ status (and successfully snagging that welterweight gold from Jack Della Maddalena), a vacuum opened up. Topuria stepped into that void with a level of confidence that borders on the delusional—except he keeps winning.
The Chaos of the Lightweight Title Picture
Right now, the 155-pound landscape looks like a high-speed car crash where everyone is still trying to grab the steering wheel. Topuria is the king, but he's a king with a massive target on his back and a line of contenders that looks like a Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
You've got the old guard still hanging around, guys like Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, who refuse to go quietly into the night. Then you’ve got the new blood. Arman Tsarukyan is basically the "uncrowned" boogeyman of the division, still fuming after an injury forced him out of his scheduled shot against Makhachev at the start of last year.
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And let’s not forget the "Paddy Power" factor.
The Interim Belt at UFC 324
Because Topuria has been taking some time to weigh his options—and likely enjoy the massive stardom he’s achieved in Spain—the UFC had to keep the gears turning. That’s why we’re seeing a battle for the interim strap. On January 24, at UFC 324, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett are squaring off in Las Vegas.
It’s a bizarre matchup if you think about it.
- Justin Gaethje: The human highlight reel who has been through more wars than most infantry units.
- Paddy Pimblett: The polarizing Scouser who many thought would never crack the top five, yet here he is.
Whoever leaves the T-Mobile Arena with that interim belt is on a collision course with Topuria. If Gaethje wins, it’s a veteran test for the young champion. If Paddy wins? Well, the promotional buildup for Topuria vs. Pimblett would probably break the internet.
Why Ilia Topuria is a Different Kind of Champ
Most fighters specialize. They're either elite strikers or world-class grapplers. Topuria is one of those rare athletes who is genuinely "A+" at everything. He has that weird, heavy-handed boxing style where he doesn't seem to be swinging hard, yet people's heads bounce off the canvas.
He’s also a submission specialist. People forget that because he keeps knocking everyone out.
The most impressive part of his reign so far has been the mental game. He told everyone he’d starch Volkanovski. He did. He told everyone Max Holloway couldn't take his power. He was right. Now, he’s looking at the lightweight elite and basically telling them they’re all placeholders. It’s that arrogance—backed up by terrifying skill—that makes him the most interesting lightweight ufc champion we've seen since the early days of Conor McGregor.
The Tsarukyan Problem
We have to talk about Arman Tsarukyan. If you're a hardcore fan, you know he’s probably the most dangerous guy in the room. He’s already beaten Oliveira. He gave Makhachev his toughest fight years ago.
Tsarukyan was supposed to be the guy. But in this sport, timing is everything. An injury at the wrong time (UFC 311) meant he had to sit on the sidelines while the promotion moved on. Now, he’s vocal, he’s angry, and he’s arguably the most "rightful" challenger to Topuria. Seeing how those two match up—Tsarukyan’s relentless wrestling vs. Topuria’s clinical counter-striking—is the fight everyone actually wants to see.
What Most People Get Wrong About 155 lbs
The biggest misconception is that the division is "weak" because Makhachev left. It’s actually the opposite.
When you have a dominant champ like Islam or Khabib, the division can feel stagnant because the outcome feels inevitable. Now? It’s a shark tank. Every fight in the top five feels like a coin flip. You have Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira scheduled to fight for the BMF title at UFC 326 in March. These are guys who could easily be fighting for the real belt, but instead, they're out there adding to their legends in "legacy" fights.
Lightweight has always been the "gladiator" division of the UFC. It’s the perfect mix of speed and power. You don’t get the "one-punch-and-it's-over" stalemates of the heavyweights, and you don't get the sometimes-too-fast-to-follow scrambles of the flyweights. It’s the sweet spot of combat sports.
How to Follow the Lightweight Title Race
If you're trying to keep track of who is actually the lightweight ufc champion and who is just "in the mix," here is how the next few months are going to shake out:
- Watch UFC 324 (Jan 24): This is the Gaethje vs. Pimblett interim title fight. The winner is the mandatory next opponent for Topuria.
- Keep an Eye on UFC 326 (March 7): Holloway vs. Oliveira for the BMF title. The winner here will likely be one win away from another crack at the undisputed gold.
- The Return of Topuria: Rumors are swirling about a massive stadium show in Madrid for the summer of 2026. That is where the undisputed title will likely be defended next.
The reality is that Ilia Topuria has the division in a chokehold right now. He’s young, he’s getting better every fight, and he has the "it" factor that the UFC loves to market. Whether he can hold off a hungry Arman Tsarukyan or a resurgent Justin Gaethje is the big question for the rest of 2026.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the stats, check out the official UFC rankings or the Fight Matrix database, which currently lists Topuria as the #2 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, trailing only his predecessor, Islam Makhachev.
The lightweight division isn't just surviving without its old kings; it's evolving. The era of "El Matador" is officially here, and it's going to be a violent, entertaining ride.
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To stay ahead of the curve, focus on the result of the Gaethje-Pimblett bout. That fight will dictate the matchmaking for the rest of the year. If Pimblett pulls off the upset, expect the UFC to fast-track a mega-fight with Topuria. If Gaethje wins, expect a grueling, technical war of attrition that will test the champion's chin for the first time in years. Either way, the 155-pound belt remains the most prestigious prize in MMA.