UFC Lightweight Title Picture 2025: Ilia Topuria's Dominance Sets Stage for High-Stakes Contender Clashes

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division, historically one of the sport’s most competitive and talent-rich weight classes, has entered 2025 in a state of heightened unpredictability and excitement. Following Charles Oliveira’s decisive submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot last Saturday – a performance that underscored the enduring threat posed by the 35-year-old Brazilian veteran – the landscape at 155 pounds has become a focal point of discussion within the mixed martial arts community. The division now revolves around the new champion, Ilia Topuria, and a deep pool of contenders each vying for the opportunity to challenge for the coveted title. A comprehensive re-evaluation of the current rankings and fighter trajectories is necessary to ascertain which athletes are best positioned to contend for divisional supremacy and who may face a more challenging path to the top. The following analysis details the key power players within the UFC’s lightweight hierarchy.

The Reigning Champion

Ilia Topuria (17-0)
Age: 28
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UFC Record: 9-0
Latest Results: Three consecutive title-bout knockouts

Ilia Topuria, representing Georgia and fighting out of Spain, solidified his position as one of the UFC’s premier athletes with a first-round knockout victory over Charles Oliveira in their vacant lightweight title bout in June. This win marked Topuria’s ascent to two-division champion status, a feat achieved after Islam Makhachev’s previous move to the welterweight division. Topuria’s championship run commenced with a decisive knockout of Alexander Volkanovski, followed by another stoppage victory over Max Holloway, both occurring in featherweight title contests. His recent triumph over Oliveira further cemented his standing, placing him firmly at the top of most pound-for-pound rankings globally.

Topuria’s rapid rise and undefeated record position him as a prime candidate to become the UFC’s next global superstar. This potential is a significant factor in rumors suggesting Topuria could headline the UFC’s inaugural event on Paramount/CBS in January, coinciding with the launch of a new seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcasting agreement. Such a high-profile assignment would serve to further elevate his international profile. Characterized by his well-rounded skill set, Topuria is particularly noted for possessing some of the most lethal boxing in mixed martial arts, demonstrated by his one-punch knockout power in both hands. His aggressive yet precise striking, coupled with a solid grappling foundation, makes him a formidable challenge for any opponent in the division.

Top Contenders

Arman Tsarukyan (22-3)
Age: 29
UFC Ranking: No. 2
Latest Results: Four consecutive wins (9-1 since 2019)

Arman Tsarukyan, a Georgian native of Armenian descent, has consistently been on the cusp of a title shot, a progression hindered primarily by inactivity and a back injury that necessitated his withdrawal from UFC 311 in January, just one day prior to a highly anticipated rematch with Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan’s claim to a title opportunity was significantly bolstered by his split decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in 2024, a contest that many viewed as a de facto title eliminator. A physically imposing lightweight with significant knockout power and a robust wrestling pedigree, Tsarukyan is poised to end an 18-month layoff. He is scheduled to headline a UFC Fight Night card in Qatar on November 22 against Dan Hooker. Having weighed in as the backup fighter for the Topuria-Oliveira title bout in June, a decisive victory over Hooker could definitively secure Tsarukyan’s position as the next challenger for the lightweight championship. His grappling-heavy approach combined with improved striking has made him a difficult puzzle for opponents, with his sole loss since 2019 coming against Makhachev in a competitive three-round contest.

Paddy Pimblett (23-3)
Age: 30
UFC Ranking: No. 7
Latest Results: Seven consecutive wins in the UFC

Paddy Pimblett, hailing from the United Kingdom, represents a unique blend of competitive ambition and significant marketing appeal within the lightweight division. While his resume, in terms of high-quality victories against top-ranked opponents, may not yet fully justify a title shot based purely on merit, his promotional draw and well-documented rivalry with Ilia Topuria position him as a potential challenger in the near future. Pimblett’s notable victories include triumphs over seasoned veterans such as Tony Ferguson, Jared Gordon (a contentious decision at UFC 282), King Green, and Michael Chandler. The win over Chandler in April, which marked Chandler’s fifth defeat in six outings, showcased Pimblett’s evolving skill set.

"Paddy the Baddy" has demonstrated considerable improvement in recent years, notably after becoming a father to twins and adopting a more disciplined approach to his fitness and preparation between fights. This transformation has resulted in a more focused and serious fighter compared to his earlier UFC appearances. Even if Justin Gaethje is chosen to face Topuria in January, a scenario where Pimblett opts to await a spring title shot against the eventual winner remains plausible. With a proficient ground game and a penchant for dramatic finishes, Pimblett continues to be a significant wild card in the lightweight title picture, capable of drawing considerable attention to any event he participates in.

Still in the Mix

Max Holloway (27-8)
Age: 33
UFC Ranking: No. 3
Latest Results: Won four of five fights since his 2022 trilogy loss to Alexander Volkanovski

Max Holloway, the former featherweight champion and current BMF titleholder, remains a prominent figure in the lightweight division. In July, he successfully defended his symbolic BMF title by out-dueling Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout at UFC 318, a fight that further solidified his reputation for high-volume striking and durability. Holloway’s most recent defeat came against Ilia Topuria in their 2024 featherweight title clash, where he was knocked out for the first time in his 15-year professional career. This outcome could complicate his immediate path to a lightweight title rematch, given the recent nature of the stoppage.

However, Holloway has expressed interest in a potentially engaging "stay-busy" fight: a rematch against Charles Oliveira for the BMF crown, following Oliveira’s public callout. Holloway has indicated a preference for this bout to take place in March, potentially allowing him sufficient recovery time for a speculated June event at the White House, an indication of the high-profile matchups he continues to attract. Despite a slight deceleration in his career trajectory that has seen him drop out of some pound-for-pound top 10 lists, the durable veteran is still widely regarded as an elite lightweight, evidenced by his knockout victory over Justin Gaethje and the effective retirement of Dustin Poirier within the division over the past 18 months.

Charles Oliveira (36-11, 1 NC)
Age: 35
UFC Ranking: No. 4
Latest Results: 3-3 in his last six fights

Just a week prior to his recent victory, the narrative surrounding Charles Oliveira might have been considerably different. While his three losses over the past three years have been against elite competitors (Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, and Ilia Topuria), his advanced age and nearly 50 professional fights, coupled with a recent knockout just four months prior, raised questions about his championship viability. However, Oliveira’s efficient and conclusive submission of the No. 8-ranked Mateusz Gamrot served as a powerful reminder of his enduring threat to the title.

"Do Bronx" is the UFC’s all-time leader in fights, fight bonuses, submissions, and finishes, and is rapidly approaching the record for most wins in the promotion’s history, underscoring his legendary status. His performance against Gamrot also highlighted that prior to being stopped by Topuria, Oliveira was finding success on his feet and in the clinch, leveraging his significant size advantage in the lightweight division. His unique ability to threaten opponents from any position, particularly on the ground, ensures that he remains a formidable and unpredictable force in the lightweight title picture.

Dark Horses

Justin Gaethje (26-5)
Age: 36
UFC Ranking: No. 5
Latest Results: Won three of his last four fights

Justin Gaethje, known universally as "The Highlight" for his aggressive and entertaining fighting style, could potentially be next in line for Ilia Topuria’s first title defense in January, if recent rumors prove accurate. While Gaethje, who turns 37 in November, may be past his absolute peak as a dominant force, he has maintained his elite standing with victories over opponents such as Rafael Fiziev since 2023. Should the UFC select Gaethje for a title shot amidst a crowded field of contenders, it would likely be due to his action-oriented style, his status as a prominent American title contender – a demographic the UFC often seeks to promote – and the potential for his exciting approach to further catapult Topuria’s growing global appeal to a broader casual audience on Paramount/CBS.

Despite his undeniable "puncher’s chance" in any contest, Gaethje would enter a hypothetical bout against Topuria as a significant betting underdog. He has been stopped in title or BMF fights on three occasions since 2020, against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway, indicating a vulnerability at the very highest echelons of the sport. A fight with Topuria would test his durability and striking defense against one of the division’s most potent offensive weapons.

Dan Hooker (24-12)
Age: 35
UFC Ranking: No. 6
Latest Results: Won three straight fights

Dan Hooker, the all-action fighter from New Zealand, is currently undergoing a notable career renaissance. This resurgence follows a challenging period where he lost four of five bouts against elite opposition, indicating a consistent willingness to face top-tier talent. His recent run includes a TKO victory over Claudio Puelles and consecutive split decision wins against Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. This win streak has been critical for Hooker to re-establish his position in the lightweight rankings.

Hooker is scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of the November 22 Fight Night card in Qatar. Should he manage to pull off an upset against the highly-regarded Tsarukyan, it would undeniably elevate him significantly within the title picture. While he is a proven competitor at the elite level, his "feast-or-famine" brawling style, characterized by a lack of a truly definitive elite win in his career, positions him as an exciting yet still long-shot contender for the lightweight belt. His upcoming bout against Tsarukyan is arguably the most significant of his career.

Benoit Saint Denis (14-3)
Age: 29
UFC Ranking: No. 13
Latest Results: 2-2 in his last four fights

Benoit Saint Denis, known as "God of War," should not be discounted in the lightweight title conversation despite a recent period of mixed results. The hard-hitting striker and former French Army Special Forces soldier has experienced a rollercoaster trajectory in recent years. After an initial loss in his 2021 UFC debut, BSD embarked on an impressive five-fight winning streak, with all victories coming by stoppage, positioning him as a rapidly rising star at 155 pounds.

However, this streak was followed by two consecutive 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. While these losses highlighted certain defensive vulnerabilities, Saint Denis appears to have learned from these setbacks. He rebounded in 2025 with two submission victories over Kyle Prepolec and Mauricio Ruffy, showcasing a renewed focus on his wrestling and grappling skills. Still relatively young for the sport, Saint Denis possesses the raw talent and rugged determination to put all elements of his game together, solidifying his status as one of the most dangerous and unpredictable contenders within the top 15.