UFC LHW Division Picture
If you’d ask a few years ago what the most exciting division was, the answer would undoubtedly have been the Lightweight Division in the UFC. The sheer violence in every single fight, build-up to a title fight and consistent movement within the rankings where contenders staked their claim to fight the champion, be it Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Khabib Nurmagomedov or Conor McGregor.
At this time, we’re going through a bit of a stand-still within the lightweight division. With champion Makhachev, vacating his belt, Topuria got a quick win against Charles Oliveira. The issue is, he’s now only rumored to return in 2026, despite being perfectly fit and good to go. Well then, how about we look at contenders? Arman Tsarukyan hasn’t fought in over a year and many believe he should at least fight one more time after his weight miss. Max Holloway fought Ilia Topuria for the featherweight throne and bounced back with a solid win over Dustin Poirier, but now has to rehab his injured hand.
Charles Oliveira is fighting Mateusz Gamrot, but win or lose, neither of these guys will have a claim for the next shot. Justin Gaethje seems firm to fight for the belt though lets be honest, he’s on a 1 fight win streak against Rafael Fiziev on short-notice. Dan Hooker hasn’t fought in over a year, and Paddy Pimblett fought once in 2025 and is now seemingly done for the year. Where are the contender fights?
This brings into question what we’re seeing with the Light-Heavyweight Division. Since Jon Jones vacated back in 2020, it has had its fair of champions from Jan Blachowicz, Glover Teixeira, Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, Alex Pereira and now Magomed Ankalaev. Those are SIX champions in the span of 5 Years. Since the reign of Alex Pereira, where we saw a consecutive three defenses in one year, it has been getting traction and the proof of that is what we got in the coming weeks.
This Weekend, we’re getting an electrifying bout between Carlos Ulberg and Dominick Reyes. Ulberg, undefeated in 8 fights and Reyes finding his stride again with three straight wins in the division. The winner of this bout arguably sets their claim for a title shot.
This brings us to the next point. Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, who fought in March of this very year, are now rematching each other. That makes it the second defense of the Light-Heavyweight belt within the year.
The same night these two man face each other we’re getting another electrifying fight between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. Prochazka put on a vintage display against Hill while Rountree has done the same. The winner of this bout will also have a claim for a title shot depending on how they get it done. At the end of the day, by the start of October we will either have a potential trilogy in the horizon, two new contenders or the return of a superstar to the throne of the division.
All the while, the Heavyweight Division has been stalled by Jon Jones and will now have his first true defense in 2025. While we know the Light-Heavyweight Division isn’t the most full of beautiful raw talent, it can’t be denied it has the activity and some solid levels of fights going on.
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