7/8/26
Justin Gaethje is the current undisputed lightweight champion, and he needs a next opponent. The lightweight division in the UFC has produced some of the biggest stars in the sport and has been the most exciting weight class in MMA for most of the last decade. It is also one of the most technically gifted divisions in the sport. There are multiple fighters from lightweight in the pound-for-pound rankings, with four of the top five having competed in the weight class and being former champions.
It is so hard to be at the top of this division, which is why the same athletes are constantly battling for the belt and rematching, because that’s all they can do. However, with some young talent coming up and dangerous new opponents on the rise, paired with the same killers at the top, who is next in line for the belt?
Ilia Topuria
Justin Gaethje just beat Ilia Topuria and handed him his first career loss at UFC Freedom 250 in stunning fashion to become the champion. Topuria fought a great fight and almost finished Gaethje, and even though he lost, his reign at the top has many people calling for an immediate rematch. It would not be surprising, as Topuria has been so dominant as a double champion and almost won the fight against Gaethje, so it is a compelling rematch. The problem for Topuria is that Gaethje holds all the power right now and has said that he will not give Ilia an immediate rematch. Gaethje battered Topuria’s face and beat him to the point where he couldn’t continue the fight, so Gaethje has no desire to let the former champion get another shot.
Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira is coming off a dominant performance against Max Holloway for the BMF belt and put himself right back into the conversation to be the next one in line for a title shot. Gaethje and Oliveira have already fought in what was one of the craziest first rounds in a championship fight. Now, Oliveira was already the champion, but he was forced to relinquish the belt for the fight after missing weight. In the end, though, Oliveira submitted Gaethje in a round and got what many fans think to be an honorary title defense. Oliveira hasn’t been the champion since 2021, but he has always been in contention. Even though he lost his last championship fight to Ilia Topuria, he has rebounded and again put himself at the forefront. A rematch between him and Gaethje would be amazing, and it’s now up to the UFC matchmakers and Gaethje himself to see if this fight comes to fruition.
Arman Tsarukyan
Arman Tsarukyan has long been a contender for the belt but has not yet had the opportunity to compete for it. There are a lot of questions as to why he hasn’t been fighting as much or even booked for a high-level fight in a while. He was supposed to fight for the belt against Islam Makhachev back in January of 2025, but he pulled out of the fight on short notice and caused a last-second scramble to find Islam an opponent. Since then, he has only fought once, and while he has made a name for himself in the grappling world and on social media, he just isn’t getting booked at the moment. A fight with him and Gaethje would be interesting and fresh, as the two have never fought before. Gaethje’s brawler style and the elite grappling of Tsarukyan could make for an entertaining scrap.
Max Holloway
Barring a win against Conor McGregor this Saturday, Max Holloway said he wants the belt next, and what makes this possible is the fact that Holloway already beat Gaethje in one of the greatest knockouts of all time, and Gaethje wants to avenge that loss more than anything. The problem Holloway would face is that two people in front of him have defeated him: Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira. This puts Max at least third in line, and again he still has to beat McGregor, which is no easy feat. Holloway’s championship dreams could be slashed or boosted depending on the outcome of the McGregor fight. While it’s too early to say, if Max were to win, Gaethje might personally select him as his next opponent.
Benoit Saint Dennis
Benoit Saint Dennis fights against Paddy Pimblet this Saturday at UFC 329, and a win over him could launch him into contention. BSD has been a standout in the division and is now on a four-fight win streak, with each win better than the last. He is now the #5-ranked lightweight, and another win would make him a prime candidate for the belt. He also has never fought Gaethje, and their styles would match up great for a brutal and wild fight. The only thing Saint Dennis has working against him is that he may have to fight one more time and fight someone who is the elite of the elite. Pimblet is up there, but if he were to beat an Arman Tsarukyan or Charles Oliveira, then there would be no denying him from getting that championship opportunity.
