Recent updates to the UFC rankings have brought notable shifts in the lightweight division.
A significant lightweight bout this past weekend understandably caused movement within the top 15 rankings.
Charles Oliveira extended his impressive undefeated streak in Brazil by submitting Mateusz Gamrot.
Following his spectacular victory at UFC Rio, Oliveira indicated that the lightweight title is not his immediate priority.
However, another prominent fighter in the division has been consistently rising in the rankings without even competing.
Paddy Pimblett exchanges positions with Dan Hooker in the latest lightweight rankings update
Paddy Pimblett first broke into the lightweight top 10 at #8 after his victory over Michael Chandler in April.
Despite numerous contenders ahead of him, his popularity made a title shot or an eliminator bout seem probable for `The Baddy`.
After a brief drop, Pimblett surprisingly ascended to #7 earlier this year, leading some fans to speculate about an imminent title shot.
A potential clash between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett is considered one of the biggest possible UFC fights, though it might not materialize until 2026.
Remarkably, despite a six-month hiatus from competition, Pimblett`s victory over Chandler at UFC 314 continues to yield benefits, as he climbed another spot in the latest rankings update.
This move places him above Dan Hooker at #6, while Charles Oliveira`s recent win propelled him one spot higher to #3.
| Latest UFC lightweight rankings | Fighter | Movement in latest update |
| Champion | Ilia Topuria | – |
| #1 | Islam Makhachev | – |
| #2 | Arman Tsarukyan | – |
| #3 | Charles Oliveira | Up 1 |
| #4 | Max Holloway | Down 1 |
| #5 | Justin Gaethje | – |
| #6 | Paddy Pimblett | Up 1 |
| #7 | Dan Hooker | Down 1 |
| #8 | Mateusz Gamrot | – |
| #9 | Beneil Dariush | – |
| #10 | Rafael Fiziev | – |
| #11 | Renato Moicano | – |
| #12 | Michael Chandler | – |
| #13 | Benoit Saint Denis | – |
| #14 | Grant Dawson | – |
| #15 | Mauricio Ruffy | – |
Other updates to the rankings after UFC Rio
Beyond the lightweight division, other weight classes also saw ranking adjustments after UFC Rio.
Notably, Charles Oliveira received a double boost, not only improving his lightweight standing but also re-entering the coveted pound-for-pound list.
- Pound for pound: Charles Oliveira enters at #15, Shavkat Rakhmonov makes way
- Bantamweight: Deiveson Figueiredo remains at #6, Montel Jackson makes way for Marcus McGhee at #15
- Women’s bantamweight: Luana Santos enters at #15, Daria Zhelezniakova departs
