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Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts after his submission victory against Dustin Poirier in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 302 event at Prudential Center on June 01, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Fight Coverage

Where We Stand: Lightweight Division | January 2025

Islam Makhachev Defends His Title With No Clear Challenger In Sight

After a chaotic turn of events at UFC 311, Islam Makhachev solidified himself as the best fighter in the world. His record-breaking fifth title fight win, and fourth title defense, didn’t come against his old foe and potentially toughest matchup in Arman Tsarukyan, however. Instead, the opportunistic Renato Moicano stepped up to the plate when the promotion needed a replacement for the injured Tsarukyan.
The unflappable Makhachev made quick work of the Brazilian. The next challenger is not set as of now, but he seems ready to run through anyone in front of him.

Champion: Islam Makhachev

Last Fight: Submission Win vs Renato Moicano (1/18/2025)

Next fight: N/A

Islam Makhachev of Russia secures a submission against Renato Moicano of Brazil in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 311 event at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Islam Makhachev of Russia secures a submission against Renato Moicano of Brazil in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 311 event at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Outlook: The 33-year-old Makhachev acted like a true champion at UFC 311, accepting the last-second replacement without so much as batting an eye and making easy work of a dangerous challenger. Makhachev has not only won five title fights, but he finished four of them. The record-breaking fourth consecutive title defense at 155 pounds now has people wondering if Makhachev should be considered the greatest lightweight of all-time, and such conversations speak to his dominance. Makhachev is now one win away from tying Anderson Silva’s legendary winning streak, and who that opportunity will come against is muddy. UFC CEO Dana White said Arman Tsarukyan has some work to do to earn a second shot at Makhachev, so Makhachev can afford to sit back and let the chips fall where they may for the next few months. One fight of interest is the five-round co-main event between Dan Hooker and Justin Gaethje at UFC 313.  

1) Arman Tsarukyan      

Last Fight: Split Decision Win vs Charles Oliveira (4/13/2024)

Next fight: N/A

Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia wrestles Charles Oliveira of Brazil in a lightweight fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia wrestles Charles Oliveira of Brazil in a lightweight fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Outlook: The rematch between Makhachev and Tsarukyan was not only one people were desperate to see, but it was also the clear fight to make in the division. A back injury forced Tsarukyan to pull out at the last second, an inconvenience slightly softened because of Renato Moicano’s willingness to take his chance. On social media, Tsarukyan seemed keen to do the work to get back to that title-challenger slot even proposing a five-round rematch with Charles Oliveira. While the mark of falling out of a fight 36 hours before he would make the walk is a hard one to shake, the 28-year-old has every tool he needs to make amends and earn his way back.

2) Charles Oliveira

Last Fight: Unanimous Decision Win vs Michael Chandler (11/16/24)

Next fight: N/A

Outlook: “Do Bronxs” was in attendance at UFC 311, reminding everyone of his very real presence in title talks. Oliveira is 2-1 since losing to Makhachev at UFC 280, and the 35-year-old most recently scored a Fight of the Night win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309. One could make the case for Oliveira getting the next shot with Makhachev. The rematch between the two was booked almost immediately but never came to fruition because of a cut Oliveira suffered a week before the fight. Makhachev has since run rampant through each of his challengers, and unless Oliveira is booked in a rematch against Tsarukyan, he does have the best case to challenge Makhachev at present.

3) Justin Gaethje

Last Fight: KO Loss vs Max Holloway (4/13/2024)

Next fight: vs Dan Hooker (3/8/2024)

Justin Gaethje punches Max Holloway in the BMF championship fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Justin Gaethje punches Max Holloway in the BMF championship fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Outlook: Gaethje took much needed and deserved time off after his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, but “The Highlight” knows he doesn’t have much time left in the title picture at 36 years old. The all-action man can reignite his hopes for a title shot when he fights Dan Hooker at UFC 313. A big-time win in Las Vegas could put him in position for either a No. 1 contender bout or, if timing plays in his favor, a shot at the belt. Gaethje was arguably in pole position for a title challenge before he risked it all against Holloway, so one could argue he deserves the chance if he takes care of business in March.

4) Dustin Poirier

Last Fight: Submission Loss vs Islam Makhachev (6/1/2024)

Next fight: N/A

Dustin Poirier battles Islam Makhachev of Russia in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 302 event at Prudential Center on June 01, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Dustin Poirier battles Islam Makhachev of Russia in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 302 event at Prudential Center on June 01, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Outlook: Although he gave it all against Islam Makhachev, Poirier ultimately fell short in his third shot at undisputed gold. “The Diamond” didn’t hang up his gloves like many anticipated, but the 36-year-old future Hall of Fame member has openly talked about his next fight being his last.

5) Max Holloway

Last Fight: KO Loss vs Ilia Topuria (10/22/2024)

Next fight: N/A

Max Holloway punches Ilia Topuria of Spain in the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger)
Max Holloway punches Ilia Topuria of Spain in the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger)

Outlook: The current BMF champion wasn’t able to complete his epic 2024 on the highest of notes, instead suffering his first knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in their featherweight title fight. “Blessed” announced after the fight that he was officially moving up to the lightweight division. Holloway looked the part of a 155er against Gaethje, and there are fun fights galore for the 33-year-old.

Dan Hooker Octagon Interview | UFC 305
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Dan Hooker Octagon Interview | UFC 305
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Outlook: In what has felt like a turning of a page in the lightweight division recently, Dan Hooker has climbed back to real relevance in the division. “The Hangman” pushed his way to the brink of title contention in 2020, culminating in an all-time brawl against Dustin Poirier in June 2020, but that loss, plus three more in his next four bouts, stymied his momentum in a big way. Three wins later, however, Hooker is back in a prime slot against Justin Gaethje. If the Kiwi can get the win, he is very much in the title conversation.