The UFC lightweight division is one of the promotion’s glamor divisions at this point. Islam Makhachev reigns as the lightweight champion, but there are many great fighters in the division. Without further ado, let’s discuss the current state of the lightweight division in the UFC.
UFC Lightweight Division: Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje is a good place to start when discussing the lightweight division in the UFC. Gaethje had arguably earned a title shot against Islam Makhachev prior to his knockout loss in a Fight of the Year contender fight with Max Holloway at UFC 300. However, now, he will have to win at least one if not several more fights to earn a title shot.
Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler is another top contender in the lightweight division of the UFC. However, he is going to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 303. As a result, he is not going to fight for a UFC title again until after his fight with McGregor at the very least if Chandler wins that fight. Chandler could be a major threat to Makhachev’s title reign if Chandler had better fight IQ. Chandler has great wrestling and powerful striking, but his fight IQ fails him often since he tries to put on a show for the fans all the time. That desire to put on a show comes at the expense of winning the fight more often than not.
UFC Lightweight Division: Charles Oliveira
The former UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, isn’t currently at the top of the contenders in that division following losses to the current champion Islam Makhachev and more recently against rising contender Arman Tsarukyan. That loss to Tsarukyan at UFC 300 means Oliveira will have to win several more fights before he receives another title shot.
Oliveira has had a great UFC career and has the most submission wins in UFC history, as we discussed in our UFC statistics article. That exciting fighting style is why Oliveira has so many fans, many of whom have bought merchandise relating to him. However, given how easily Makhachev beat Oliveira in their first fight, it is hard to see Oliveira faring much better against Makhachev in a rematch.
Dustin Poirier vs. Islam Makhachev Headlines UFC 302
A lightweight title bout between champion Islam Makhachev and perennial top contender Dustin Poirier headlines UFC 302. Makhachev is the heavy favorite for obvious reasons. While Poirier pulling off the upset win would be incredible, it is far more likely that Makhachev retains his title and finishes Poirier. Islam Makhachev is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC today.
Check back next week for our UFC 302 preview.