The lightweight division has always been the shark tank of the UFC. It’s where legends like BJ Penn, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Conor McGregor carved out their legacies. But if you’ve been away from the sport for a few months, you might be surprised to see how much the landscape has shifted.
Right now, Ilia Topuria is the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
Wait, wasn't he the featherweight guy? Yeah, exactly. The "El Matador" era has officially expanded. After cleaning out the 145-pound division by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria decided he wanted more gold. He moved up to 155 pounds and, at UFC 317, he did the unthinkable by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the very first round to secure his second simultaneous world title.
The Reign of Ilia Topuria
Topuria isn't just winning; he's destroying people. He entered the lightweight title picture with a level of confidence that borderline annoyed some veterans, but he backed it up. His boxing is arguably the best in the promotion right now. When he hit Oliveira, it wasn't a fluke—it was a calculated, high-level placement that sent the Brazilian legend to the canvas.
Currently, Topuria holds both the featherweight and lightweight belts, though the UFC has indicated he will likely have to choose a primary focus soon to keep both divisions moving. He’s been flirting with massive "super-fights," even calling out the current welterweight king, Islam Makhachev.
What happened to Islam Makhachev?
You probably remember Islam Makhachev as the guy who sat on this throne for years. He didn't lose his belt in the cage. He vacated it.
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After defending the lightweight title four times—including wins over Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier, and most recently a D'Arce choke finish of Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in early 2025—Makhachev felt he had nothing left to prove at 155. He followed the path of his mentor, Khabib, but with a twist: he wanted the double-champ status.
In November 2025, Makhachev moved up to welterweight and defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to become the 170-pound champion. Because he vacated the lightweight title to pursue this new weight class, the 155-pound belt became vacant, leading to Topuria’s eventual crowning.
The Interim Title Situation
Because Topuria is a dual-weight champion and has been dealing with the logistics of two divisions, the UFC didn't want the lightweight contenders to sit around gathering dust.
That’s why we have an interim title fight on the horizon.
On January 24, 2026, at UFC 324, Justin Gaethje and Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett are scheduled to fight for the interim UFC lightweight championship. It’s a wild matchup. Most people thought Pimblett was just a hype train, but his recent win streak has propelled him into the top 5. Gaethje, the perennial "BMF," is looking to grab a piece of the official title once again before he considers retirement.
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The Current Lightweight Rankings (January 2026)
If you’re looking at the top of the mountain, it’s crowded. The rankings at 155 are constantly shifting, but here is how the top of the food chain looks today:
- Champion: Ilia Topuria
- 1. Arman Tsarukyan: He’s been the "uncrowned king" for a while. He was supposed to fight for the title at UFC 311 but had to pull out. He's still the most dangerous wrestler in the division.
- 2. Charles Oliveira: "Do Bronx" is still a massive threat, despite the loss to Topuria.
- 3. Max Holloway: The BMF champion recently beat Dustin Poirier in a lightweight thriller and is scheduled to rematch Oliveira at UFC 326 in March for the BMF title.
- 4. Justin Gaethje: Heading into the interim title fight.
- 5. Paddy Pimblett: The British superstar who has silenced the doubters by climbing into the elite tier.
Why this division is so chaotic
Honestly, the lightweight division is basically a 24/7 soap opera with more punching. You have guys like Dan Hooker and Mateusz Gamrot hovering just outside the top five, capable of beating anyone on a good night.
Then there's the "BMF" factor. Even though it's a symbolic belt, it carries a lot of weight in terms of star power. Max Holloway is the current holder, and his presence at lightweight makes the title picture even more confusing for casual fans. Is he fighting for the real belt or the BMF belt? Usually, it's the latter, but in the UFC, those lines get blurred fast.
Misconceptions about the 155-pound title
One thing people get wrong is thinking that the lightweight champion is the "best" fighter in the world by default. While Makhachev holds the #1 Pound-for-Pound spot, he's doing it as a welterweight now. Topuria is currently #2 P4P.
Another common mistake? Thinking Conor McGregor is still in the mix. While he's always in the headlines, he hasn't been a factor in the lightweight title conversation for years. The division has moved on to a new generation of athletes who are faster, more well-rounded, and—frankly—more active.
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Key Dates to Watch
If you want to keep up with who is the lightweight champion in the UFC, mark these on your calendar:
- January 24, 2026 (UFC 324): Gaethje vs. Pimblett for the Interim Title. The winner will likely face Topuria later this year to unify the belts.
- March 7, 2026 (UFC 326): Holloway vs. Oliveira 2. While not for the undisputed title, it’s a high-stakes lightweight clash that will determine who gets the next shot at the winner of the unification bout.
Actionable Insights for Fans
To stay truly updated on the lightweight throne, you shouldn't just look at the UFC's official website, as it sometimes lags behind on ranking updates after big fight nights. Follow the TSN MMA tracker or MMA Junkie’s live rankings.
If you are betting or playing fantasy MMA, keep an eye on the "Fighting Nerds" camp. They have guys like Mauricio Ruffy climbing the ranks fast, and these prospects are the ones who usually upset the established top 10.
The lightweight division is in a transitional phase. We’ve moved from the Khabib/Islam era into the Topuria era, but with killers like Tsarukyan and Gaethje still in their prime, the belt is likely to change hands at least once more before 2026 is over.
Stay tuned to the weigh-ins for UFC 324. If Pimblett or Gaethje misses weight, the interim title might only be available for one of them, which would throw the entire division into another tailspin of vacated titles and "undisputed" claims.