The UFC lightweight rankings highlight the top 10 fighters in the division, showcasing talents like Mauricio Ruffy and Charles Oliveira. This division is known for its depth and competitive nature.
Key points
UFC lightweight rankings showcase top 10 fighters
Division known for depth and talent
Mauricio Ruffy scored a highlight KO at UFC 325
Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira are notable fighters
Several top competitors also in pound-for-pound rankings
UFC Lightweight Rankings: Running Down the 10 Best 155ers on the Planet Right Now
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The UFC lightweight rankings showcase some of the very best talents in MMA. The division has long been the deepest and most talent-rich in the sportâs history. Several of its top competitors can also be found in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
With that in mind, here are the official Sportsnaut rankings for the top 10 lightweights in the best cage fighting promotion in all the land.
10. **Mauricio Ruffy (13-2)**
ufc lightweight rankings
Per Haljestam-Imagn Images
Brazilâs Mauricio Ruffy has been very impressive during his time competing in the Octagon. Two years ago, he earned his way into the company with a KO on the Contenderâs Series and won his first three bouts in the UFC. In 2025, he suffered his second career loss when he hit the French wall known as Benoit Saint-Denis.
However, to begin 2026, he bounced back from the setback in a big way at UFC 325 by scoring a highlight reel KO over one of the best strikers the division has seen over the last decade, Rafael Fiziev. That win leaps him into our latest UFC lightweight top 10.
9. Quillan Salkilld (12-1)
ufc lightweight rankings
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Since earning a contract on Dana Whiteâs Contender Series in the fall of 2024, Australian Quillan Salkilld has been very impressive. He won his first four in the Octagon, including three first-round finishes. However, he got his biggest test yet in May against top-15 stalwart Beneil Dariush.
But just like most of his previous UFC foes, the young fighter got the well-respected MMA veteran out of there in less than a round. His 12th straight win earns him a spot in our UFC lightweight top 10.
Q&A
Who are the top 10 UFC lightweight fighters right now?
The current top 10 UFC lightweight fighters include Mauricio Ruffy, Quillan Salkilld, Renato Moicano, and Charles Oliveira among others.
What notable achievements have the top UFC lightweights accomplished?
Fighters like Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira have significant accolades, including title reigns and victories over future Hall of Famers.
How has Mauricio Ruffy performed in the UFC?
Mauricio Ruffy has made a strong impression with a record of 13-2, including a highlight KO victory at UFC 325.
What is the significance of the UFC lightweight division?
The UFC lightweight division is considered one of the deepest and most talent-rich in MMA history, featuring many fighters in the pound-for-pound rankings.
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8. Renato Moicano (21-7-1)
ufc lightweight rankings
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At the end of 2024, Renato Moicano was one of the hottest fighters in the division after winning four straight, including stoppage wins over Jalin Turner and Benoit Saint-Denis. However, back-to-back losses â including a short-notice defeat to former lightweight king Islam Makhachev â ended his momentum as he started the new year.
But in April, he got back in the win column with a main event victory over Chris Duncan. The W lets him hold on to his spot in the 155-pound top 10.
7. Paddy Pimblett (23-4)
ufc lightweight rankings
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Paddy Pimblett has his doubters, but you canât deny starting a UFC career by winning seven straight, including over some future Hall of Famers. Sure, he didnât get Tony Ferguson or Michael Chandler in their prime, but a wins a win, and the victories earned him a title fight at UFC 324.
While he didnât get the W against Justin Gaethje, âThe Baddyâ showed a massive amount of heart and went to war with the MMA legend. Despite the setback, he doesnât drop in our UFC lightweight rankings.
6. Benoit Saint-Denis (17-3)
ufc lightweight rankings
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Benoit Saint-Denis has had a very nice 12-fight run in the UFC. While he has hit some bumps in the road and been on the wrong side of stoppage losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, he has still posted a 9-3 record inside the Octagon.
Since those setbacks, the Frenchman has again caught fire. Winning four straight, with the last two coming over a pair of rankings stalwarts over the last decade, Beneil Dariush and Dan Hooker. Both wins were knockouts.
5. Max Holloway (27-9)
ufc featherweight rankings
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Max Holloway will go down as one of the greatest UFC featherweights of all time. However, all good things come to an end, and after a pair of clear losses to the best at 145, he made the jump to lightweight in 2024 and quickly added the BMF title to his trophy case and scored two huge wins over future Hall of Famers Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier.
In March, he returned to defend the title for a second time against another legend, Charles Oliveira. However, his title reign came to an end when the BJJ ace completely dominated him with his grappling. It will be interesting to see where the Hawaiian goes from here.
4. Charles Oliveira (36-11)
ufc lightweight rankings
Credit: USA Today Sports
Charles Oliveria owns several UFC records and will go down as one of the greatest Brazilian MMA fighters of all time. There is a lot to love about his fight style, and his resume is stacked with big wins. But age catches up with everyone, and it has affected âDo Bronxâ over the last few years as heâs split his last four fights.
Since he is far out of the title pictures, the former lightweight king instead chose to go after the BMF title in March. At UFC 326, Oliveira delivered one of the best performances of his career as he completely dominated fellow future Hall of Famer Max Holloway to win his second championship in the company.
3. Justin Gaethje (27-5) â Interim Champion
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Justin Gaethje is one of the best lightweight fighters of his generation because he has earned a legion of fans for being one of the most durable and violent athletes in the divisionâs history. While he has had some tough losses, he has also had some iconic wins.
He got another in January at UFC 324 when he took on Paddy Pimblett for the lightweight title. While the Englishman gave him a tough fight, Gaethje won interim gold for the second time and further cemented his place as one of the weight classâs all-time greats.
2. Arman Tsarukyan (23-3)
ufc lightweight rankings
Credit: USA Today Sports
Arman Tsarukyan has developed into one of the very best 155-pounders on earth. During his run in the UFC, he has won many fights, and his only losses have come to the former division king, Islam Makhachev, and fellow ranked star Mateusz Gamrot. However, he has overcome those setbacks, and his impressive victories over Charles Oliveira and Dan Hooker have solidified his place as the undisputed No. 1 contender at lightweight.
1. Ilia Topuria (17-0) â Champion
ufc lightweight rankings
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Ilia Topuria will go down as one of the great featherweights of all time. But instead of building on his 145-pound resume, âEl Matadorâ made the move up to lightweight in search of history. Well, he achieved that in June by becoming just the 10th fighter to win gold in two divisions. Crushing former 155-pound champ Charles Oliveria and adding him to his hit list of legends.
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