Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division, historically one of the sport’s most competitive and talent-rich categories, has entered 2025 in a state of unparalleled volatility and excitement. The recent performance by Charles Oliveira, who secured an emotional submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot last Saturday, served as a stark reminder of the enduring capabilities of the 35-year-old "Do Bronx," further solidifying the division’s unpredictable nature. This landscape necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the current rankings and the principal actors vying for supremacy at 155 pounds, assessing their pathways to challenging the reigning champion, Ilia Topuria, and distinguishing legitimate contenders from those with lesser claims to the throne.
The current power structure within the lightweight division is defined by a blend of established veterans, rising stars, and compelling narratives that promise a dynamic year ahead.
The Undisputed Champion: Ilia Topuria (17-0)
At 28 years old, Ilia Topuria, fighting out of Spain with Georgian heritage, stands as the undisputed champion of the lightweight division, holding an immaculate professional record of 17 wins and no losses, with a 9-0 ledger within the UFC. His ascent culminated in June with a first-round knockout victory over Charles Oliveira in their vacant title bout. This triumph followed a period of significant strategic shifts within the UFC’s championship landscape, particularly Islam Makhachev’s transition to the welterweight division, which left the lightweight strap available. Topuria’s path to the lightweight title was paved with consecutive knockout victories over formidable opponents, including Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway (both at featherweight), and subsequently Oliveira.
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These performances have firmly established Topuria at the apex of most pound-for-pound rankings, identifying him as a fighter with the potential to transcend the sport and become the UFC’s next global phenomenon. This projection is reportedly a key factor in the promotion’s strategic planning, with strong rumors suggesting Topuria will headline the UFC’s highly anticipated January debut on Paramount/CBS. This event is expected to coincide with the launch of a new seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcasting agreement, and a potential matchup against Justin Gaethje is circulating as the preferred main event to maximize exposure and impact. Topuria’s well-rounded skillset is particularly distinguished by his exceptional boxing, widely regarded as among the most lethal in mixed martial arts, possessing one-punch knockout power in both hands, a critical attribute in his recent championship successes.
Top Contenders: The Immediate Threats
Arman Tsarukyan (22-3)
Ranked No. 2 in the lightweight division, Arman Tsarukyan, a 29-year-old Georgian native of Armenian descent, has consistently demonstrated the skills required for championship contention. His recent record reflects a dominant run of four consecutive victories, accumulating a 9-1 record since 2019. However, a combination of inactivity and a back injury, which forced his withdrawal from UFC 311 in January—just one day before a highly anticipated rematch with Islam Makhachev—has temporarily derailed his momentum. Tsarukyan’s claim to a title shot was significantly bolstered by his split decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in 2024, a performance that highlighted his elite grappling and striking capabilities.
A physically imposing figure with considerable knockout power and a robust wrestling foundation, Tsarukyan is poised to end an 18-month layoff when he headlines a Fight Night card on November 22 in Qatar, facing Dan Hooker. This bout carries significant implications; Tsarukyan, who served as the backup fighter for the Topuria-Oliveira title clash in June, could solidify his position as the undisputed next in line for a title shot with a decisive victory. His ability to control opponents on the ground and his ever-improving striking make him a formidable challenge for any lightweight, including the champion.
Paddy Pimblett (23-3)
Paddy Pimblett, 30 years old and ranked No. 7, presents a unique case within the lightweight hierarchy. While a critical assessment of his professional record and the caliber of his victories might suggest he is not yet at the absolute pinnacle of skill within the division, his undeniable marketing appeal, particularly stemming from his large fan base in the United Kingdom, positions him as a significant figure. Furthermore, his well-documented rivalry with Ilia Topuria adds a compelling narrative dimension that could, by promotional design, fast-track him to a lightweight title fight.
Pimblett’s most notable victories have come against established but aging names such as Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler, whom he stopped in April, marking Chandler’s fifth defeat in six fights. Despite these wins, questions about the elite tier of his opposition persist. However, "Paddy the Baddy" has visibly matured and shown substantial improvements in his approach to professional fighting, particularly following the birth of his twins and a renewed commitment to fitness and preparation between fights. His recent performances have presented a more serious and disciplined fighter, a notable contrast to the controversial decision victory he secured against Jared Gordon in 2022, which many observers believed he did not earn. Even if the UFC opts for a Topuria-Gaethje matchup in January, a scenario where Pimblett strategically waits for a spring title shot against the eventual winner remains plausible. With a strong ground game, charismatic personality, and a flair for the dramatic, Pimblett remains a significant wild card in the lightweight elite.
Still in the Mix: Enduring Threats and Strategic Moves
Max Holloway (27-8)
The 33-year-old former featherweight king and current BMF champion, Max Holloway, ranked No. 3 at lightweight, continues to be a formidable presence. His most recent significant performance saw him defend his symbolic BMF title in July by out-dueling Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout at UFC 318, a testament to his enduring grit and striking prowess. Holloway’s last defeat occurred at the hands of Ilia Topuria in their 2024 featherweight title contest, a bout where Holloway suffered the first knockout loss of his 15-year career. This outcome could complicate his immediate prioritization for a rematch at lightweight, given the decisive nature of their previous encounter.
However, Holloway has strategically positioned himself for another high-profile engagement, with recent developments suggesting a potential rematch against Charles Oliveira, this time for the BMF crown. Holloway has publicly expressed interest in this bout following Oliveira’s callout, indicating a preference for the fight to take place in March. This timing would allow for adequate recovery and potentially align him for a major event in June, with speculative reports even hinting at a potential fight at the White House, reflecting his status as a marquee fighter. Despite a slight deceleration in pace that has seen him fall out of many pound-for-pound top 10 lists, Holloway’s durability and elite striking remain undeniable. His recent victories, including a knockout of Justin Gaethje and the effective retirement of Dustin Poirier within the lightweight division over the past 18 months, affirm his status as a top-tier contender at 155 pounds.
Charles Oliveira (36-11, 1 NC)
Charles Oliveira, 35 years old and ranked No. 4, demonstrated his continued relevance in the lightweight division with his recent submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot. Just one week prior, discussions regarding his championship prospects would have been considerably different. Oliveira’s three losses over the past three years have come exclusively against elite opponents—Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, and Ilia Topuria—underscoring the high level of competition he faces. However, at 17 years into his professional career and with nearly 50 fights under his belt, questions about his longevity and recent knockout loss just four months prior to his Gamrot fight were prevalent.
His efficient submission of the No. 8-ranked Gamrot, however, served as a powerful reminder of his perennial threat to the title on any given night. Oliveira, the UFC’s all-time leader in fights, fight bonuses, submissions, and finishes, is also rapidly approaching the record for most wins in the promotion’s history. His performance against Topuria, prior to the knockout, demonstrated his ability to find success on the feet and in clinches, leveraging his size advantage within the division. These factors combine to ensure that Oliveira, despite his extensive career, remains a potent and respected force in the lightweight title picture.
Dark Horses: Potential Disruptors and Rising Stars
Justin Gaethje (26-5)
Ranked No. 5, Justin Gaethje, who will turn 37 in November, continues to be a prominent figure in the lightweight division, despite indications that his tenure as an elite, undisputed force may be waning. His recent record includes two victories over Rafael Fiziev since 2023. Recent reports suggest Gaethje could be next in line for Ilia Topuria’s first title defense in January, a choice that would likely be driven by several strategic factors. Gaethje’s action-oriented fighting style is a consistent draw for fans, and his status as an increasingly rare American title contender in the UFC holds significant promotional value. Furthermore, his aggressive, high-pressure style is perceived as an ideal matchup to elevate Topuria’s burgeoning global star power to a broader casual audience on the new Paramount/CBS platform.
While Gaethje invariably possesses a "puncher’s chance" in any contest, he would likely enter a fight against Topuria as a significant betting underdog. His record in title or BMF fights since 2020 includes three stoppages—against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway—highlighting a pattern of coming up short in championship-level encounters against the division’s absolute best.
Dan Hooker (24-12)
Dan Hooker, 35 years old and ranked No. 6, is experiencing a career renaissance following a challenging period. The all-action New Zealander has strung together three consecutive victories, beginning with a TKO over Claudio Puelles, followed by back-to-back split decision wins against Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. This winning streak was critical for Hooker, who had previously endured a stretch of losing four out of five bouts against elite opponents. Should Hooker manage an upset victory over Arman Tsarukyan in their November Fight Night main event, his stock would undoubtedly soar, potentially catapulting him to the top tier of title contenders.
Despite his ability to compete at an elite level, Hooker’s "feast-or-famine" brawling style, while exciting, has also contributed to a lack of a truly definitive elite-level victory on his resume. He remains an exciting long shot, capable of thrilling performances and unexpected outcomes, but still seeking that signature win to solidify his championship credentials.
Benoit Saint Denis (14-3, 1 NC)
Benoit Saint Denis, 29 years old and ranked No. 13, embodies the archetype of a "dark horse" with significant potential. Known as the "God of War" and a former French Army Special Forces soldier, Saint Denis’s UFC career has been a rollercoaster of dramatic highs and challenging lows. After a loss in his 2021 UFC debut, he embarked on an impressive run of five consecutive stoppage victories, leading many to label him as the next major prospect at 155 pounds. However, this momentum was interrupted by two subsequent stoppage defeats: one against Dustin Poirier, a fight he reportedly took while battling illness, and another against Renato Moicano, which was stopped due to an eye injury.
These setbacks, while showcasing Saint Denis’s defensive vulnerabilities, appear to have served as crucial learning experiences. He has since demonstrated a renewed focus, bouncing back in 2025 with a pair of submission wins over Kyle Prepolec and Mauricio Ruffy, where he visibly emphasized his wrestling skills. Still relatively young and with a clear capacity for growth, Saint Denis possesses the ruggedness, power, and dangerous skill set to re-emerge as a significant threat within the top 15, making him a compelling figure to watch in the evolving lightweight landscape.
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