Lightweight
66 stories covering Lightweight — news, results and analysis.
Tommy McMillen Headlines Noche UFC's Class of Rising Prospects
McMillen is 11-0 with two straight bonuses. Saturday he meets 9-0 Marwan Rahiki, who's finished all nine of his wins.
Sep 8, 2026
Muratalla Vacates IBF Lightweight Title as Cruz-Subkhankulov Looms
With Muratalla (24-0) moving up to 140, the IBF has given Andy Cruz and Artur Subkhankulov 30 days to make a vacant title fight — or face a purse bid.
Sep 7, 2026
Alycia Baumgardner Dismisses Caroline Dubois: 'I Didn't See Anything Special'
The undisputed 130-pound champ says she can already see how to beat Dubois — but insists Elif Nur Turhan is her real next test, not the 135 star.
Sep 7, 2026
Parnasse stops Hooker in Round 1 to headline in Paris
Salahdine Parnasse needed just 2:35 to finish #9-ranked Dan Hooker in his UFC debut, capping a night of first-round violence in Paris.
Sep 6, 2026
Parnasse Shocks Hooker in UFC Debut as Paris Bonuses Roll In
French prospect Salahdine Parnasse crashed his UFC debut with a first-round TKO over #9 Dan Hooker, headlining a four-bonus night at Accor Arena.
Sep 5, 2026
Parnasse Blows Past Dan Hooker in Round 1, Calls Out Max Holloway
The French prospect needed just 2:35 to finish Hooker in his UFC debut, then aimed his sights straight at the #4-ranked Holloway.
Sep 5, 2026
Dan Hooker Stands Between Salahdine Parnasse and a Dream UFC Debut in Paris
The Frenchman gets a top-10 lightweight in his first Octagon walk. Hooker, #9 at 24-14, is built to ruin exactly this kind of party.
Sep 4, 2026
Ilia Topuria Breaks Silence After First Career Loss to Gaethje
Topuria, 17-1, resurfaced online for the first time since Justin Gaethje ended his unbeaten run at UFC White House with a fourth-round TKO.
Sep 4, 2026
Henry Cejudo Says Usman Nurmagomedov Is a $3-4M Man, and the PFL's Lifeline
Cejudo claims the undefeated PFL lightweight champ turned down $2M per fight and could command double that on his next deal.
Sep 4, 2026
Tony Bellew Says No Lightweight in History Beats Roberto Duran
Bellew argues Duran at 135lbs was untouchable — a fighter who lost just once in his first 73 bouts.
Sep 3, 2026
Hooker vs Parnasse Headlines UFC Paris as French Star Debuts
Dan Hooker, the No. 9 lightweight at 24-14, welcomes 23-2 French newcomer Salahdine Parnasse to the Octagon at Accor Arena on Sept. 5.
Sep 2, 2026
Gervonta Davis Eyeing 2027 Comeback — And His Coach Says He's Staying at 135
One fight in over two years and a demotion from champion to champion-in-recess. Now Tank's team has floated a return window and a division.
Sep 1, 2026
Salahdine Parnasse Debuts Against Dan Hooker in Paris With 23-2 Record
The two-division KSW champ enters the UFC on a five-fight win streak — and headlines in his home country against a top-10 lightweight.
Sep 1, 2026
Dan Hooker vs Saladhine Parnasse Headlines a Loaded UFC Paris Card
Hooker, a top-15 lightweight for nearly a decade, welcomes 23-2 KSW icon Parnasse to the Octagon at Accor Arena on Saturday.
Aug 31, 2026
Sam Noakes Wants William Zepeda Next — But Berinchyk Comes First
At 18-1 with a 16-KO record, Noakes eyes a WBC title shot against Zepeda — but he has to get past ex-champ Denys Berinchyk on Saturday first.
Aug 28, 2026
Mikey Garcia Picks Lomachenko Over Gervonta Davis at Their Best
Four-division champ Mikey Garcia leans Loma in a fantasy 135 clash — but with Tank sitting on a 30-0-1 record and 28 KOs, he won't commit fully.
Aug 27, 2026
Ruffy vs. Tsarukyan at UFC 331: A Knockout Artist's Title Gamble
Mauricio Ruffy owns 13 KOs in 14 wins. Now he's taking a short-notice grappling test against the #2 lightweight for what he calls a straight shot at the belt.
Aug 27, 2026
Schofield-Bahdi Fight for Vacant WBA Title as Collazo Jumps Two Divisions
Two unbeaten lightweights meet for Tank Davis's old belt in Chicago on Oct 10, while 105-lb king Oscar Collazo (15-0) leaps up to challenge Ricardo Sandoval.
Aug 27, 2026
Claressa Shields Says Baumgardner Is 'Scared' of Caroline Dubois
The two-weight GWOAT thinks a lightweight showdown is being ducked over a single loss — and she's ready to hand Dubois the crown.
Aug 27, 2026
Baumgardner Jumps to 135 to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan at MVPW-07
Undisputed super feather champ Alycia Baumgardner (18-1) moves up to lightweight to face unbeaten IBF titlist Elif Nur Turhan (14-0) on Nov. 8 in Arlington.
Aug 25, 2026
Chris Padilla Wants Main Card Billing, and He's Not Waiting Politely
Padilla is unbeaten in five UFC fights (4-0-1) heading into Sacramento. Now he's telling anyone with a mic he belongs above the prelims.
Aug 20, 2026
Edson Barboza Walks Away at 40 After 15 Years and 33 UFC Fights
Barboza retires on a four-fight skid, but leaves with a 24-15 record, one of the sport's great highlight reels, and zero regrets.
Aug 20, 2026
Tsarukyan Says Topuria Needs a Chandler Tune-Up Before Title Return
The No. 2 lightweight thinks Ilia Topuria needs an 'easy' comeback fight after his 17-0 run ended against Justin Gaethje. His pick? Michael Chandler.
Aug 19, 2026
Jack Jones Chases a Fourth Straight Win and a Lightweight Ranking in Sacramento
The Welsh lightweight is 3-0 since returning to the UFC and fights out his contract Saturday against MarQuel Mederos in a city that feels like home.
Aug 18, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan Says Usman Nurmagomedov Could Wreck the UFC Lightweight Division
The No. 2-ranked lightweight thinks the Bellator champ beats almost anyone at 155 — including Justin Gaethje — if the UFC signs him.
Aug 18, 2026
Dana White Steps Between Tsarukyan and Ruffy at UFC 331 Faceoff
The #2 lightweight has a faceoff history — including a headbutt on Dan Hooker last year — so White wasn't taking chances before their September 19 eliminator.
Aug 14, 2026
Jalin Turner Was Done With MMA. Now He's Fighting at UFC 330
'The Tarantula' retired after back-to-back stoppage losses, then stopped Edson Barboza in Round 1 last December. Next up: Kaue Fernandes in Philly.
Aug 13, 2026
Schofield vs Bahdi Set for Oct. 10 as WBA Lightweight Belt Opens Up
Two unbeatens collide with a vacant WBA title on the line. Schofield is 19-0 (13 KO); Bahdi brings a 20-0 (15 KO) mark to Vegas.
Aug 13, 2026
Max Holloway's First Golf Classic Banks $300K for Hawai'i Youth
Holloway's inaugural charity tournament pulled in more than $300,000, with $75,000 already handed to four Hawai'i organizations.
Aug 12, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan Books RAF 14 Title Fight With Dillon Danis on Oct. 3
The UFC's No. 2 lightweight steps into RAF's crossover cage against 0-2 Danis, chasing a fresh belt just weeks after his UFC 331 co-main.
Aug 10, 2026
Edson Barboza Says UFC 330 Could Be the Finish Line at 40
After 32 UFC fights and wins over four future champions, the 24-14 striker isn't promising retirement — but he's made his peace with it.
Aug 10, 2026
Malki Kawa Rips Ali Abdelaziz: 'Topuria Would Annihilate Your Roster'
Topuria's manager says his 17-1 client still tops his P4P list — even after losing his belt to Justin Gaethje in June's White House main event.
Aug 9, 2026
Salkilld chokes out Gamrot in Round 1 to crack the lightweight elite
Quillan Salkilld needed just 4:25 to submit the #8-ranked Mateusz Gamrot, and it wasn't the only ranked scalp claimed in Las Vegas.
Aug 9, 2026
From $5 a Day to a $100K Bonus: Manoel Sousa's Wild UFC Rise
The Brazilian lightweight peeled coconuts for 25 reais a day. Now he's a $100K bonus winner facing an LFA champ on short notice at UFC Vegas 120.
Aug 8, 2026
Usman Nurmagomedov Is a Free Agent — And the UFC Feels Inevitable
At 28 and unbeaten, Nurmagomedov's next move looks pre-written. The only real question is who gets fed to him first — a top-five name or a slow burn.
Aug 7, 2026
Conor McGregor Vows Comeback After ACL Surgery: 'Unbreakable'
McGregor, 38, is targeting a summer 2026 return after tearing his ACL against Max Holloway at UFC 329 — the final fight on his UFC deal.
Aug 7, 2026
Billy Quarantillo Jumps to 155 for Vet Clash With Diego Ferreira
After 11 straight featherweight bouts, 'Billy Q' (18-7) moves up a division to face fellow grinder Diego Ferreira in Saturday's co-main event.
Aug 6, 2026
Mateusz Gamrot vs Quillan Salkilld: The Veteran Out to Ruin the Hype
Gamrot, 26-9 overall and a top-10 lightweight, headlines Saturday against a surging Aussie prospect who's won four straight in the UFC.
Aug 5, 2026
Jake Paul Tries to Lure Khabib Out of Retirement — Khabib Trolls Him Back
Paul pitched the 29-0 lightweight legend on an MVP comeback backstage at PFL New York. Khabib's reply, a few days later, said it all.
Aug 5, 2026
McGregor's Knee Surgery Done — Now the Real Wait Begins
Conor McGregor confirms successful ACL surgery after UFC 329 comeback lasted 66 seconds. Recovery could run 9-12 months, with a 2027 return targeted.
Aug 5, 2026
Zepeda Wants Shakur Stevenson Rematch — And Shakur Admits Why
Stevenson calls the Mexican volume-puncher his toughest test at 25-0, but a lopsided first meeting means the demand isn't exactly deafening.
Aug 4, 2026
Paul Hughes Wants Lifetime EPO Bans and Better PFL Testing
The Irish lightweight is pushing for stricter drug testing under the new PFL/MVP banner — and says lifetime bans should follow any positive.
Aug 4, 2026
Gamrot vs Salkilld: The Veteran Gatekeeper Test in Vegas
Mateusz Gamrot has beaten two ranked names in 15 months. Now he faces a Perth prospect riding two first-round finishes, including one over Beneil Dariush.
Aug 3, 2026
Dana White Smiles on Usman Nurmagomedov Free Agency as Decision Nears
The undefeated PFL export just wrapped his contract with a first-round finish of Archie Colgan. Khabib says negotiations start next month.
Aug 2, 2026
William Zepeda Wins WBC Lightweight Title as Roach Runs Winless in Three
Zepeda outboxed Lamont Roach for the vacant WBC 135 lb belt on scores of 117-111 twice and 118-110, moving to 34-1 with an eye on undisputed.
Aug 2, 2026
Renato Moicano Chokes Out Patricky Pitbull Before Ortega Showdown
The UFC lightweight needed under four minutes to submit the ex-Bellator champ at BJJ Stars 19 — weeks out from a UFC 331 date with Brian Ortega.
Aug 1, 2026
Crawford Warns Roach: Pick Up the Volume or Zepeda Punishes You
Terence Crawford, 42-0 and fresh off beating Canelo, says Lamont Roach's low output could sink him against 33-1 volume machine William Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight strap.
Aug 1, 2026
Steven Cairns Wants Adam Azim Rematch After Beating Him as a Teen
Cairns, 14-0, holds a 2018 amateur win over Azim — now 15-0 and ranked #8 as a pro. He'd take a rematch, but Azim's on a different clock.
Jul 31, 2026
UFC Belgrade Prelims: Klein-Musayev Headlines a Loaded Serbian Debut
The UFC lands in Serbia for the first time on August 1, with Ludovít Klein (24-5-1) and Tofiq Musayev (23-6, 18 KOs) topping a prelim card stacked with hometown debuts.
Jul 31, 2026
Muratalla vs Conceicao: Can a 37-Year-Old Vet Crack the IBF Champ?
Raymond Muratalla (24-0, 17 KO) puts his IBF lightweight belt on the line Saturday against former titlist Robson Conceicao, a 37-year-old chasing one last upset.
Jul 31, 2026
Crawford Names His Dream Fight: Shakur Stevenson vs Gervonta Davis
Retired at 42-0, Crawford says the one bout he'd pay to watch is his friend Shakur Stevenson handing Tank Davis his first pro loss.
Jul 31, 2026
Usman Nurmagomedov Dares Archie Colgan to Test His Wrestling
The PFL lightweight king fights out his contract Friday against the No. 1 contender — and won't rule out a UFC jump afterward.
Jul 30, 2026
Gaethje vs a Nurmagomedov, Round 2 — This Time in Opposite Corners
Six years after Khabib submitted him, Justin Gaethje corners Archie Colgan against Usman Nurmagomedov at PFL New York on Saturday.
Jul 30, 2026
Dan Hooker Says Death Threats Are Fueling Him for UFC Paris
The #9 lightweight says French fans have flooded him with threats since his Sept. 5 main event with Salahdine Parnasse was booked.
Jul 28, 2026
Dana White Says Zuffa Boxing Has Talked to Gervonta Davis
White confirms conversations with the three-weight champ, fueling talk of a Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson superfight under the Zuffa banner.
Jul 28, 2026
Kyle Prepolec Chases First UFC Win in Serbia — With Roots on the Line
The 36-year-old Canadian is 0-4 in the UFC across two stints, but he's fighting in his mother's homeland against a slumping Mateusz Rębecki.
Jul 28, 2026
McGregor Eyes 2027 'Last Dance' as Torn ACL Ends His UFC 329 Return
A blown knee on his first kick against Holloway means surgery and a year out. McGregor, 22-7, now targets International Fight Week 2027 for a UFC swansong.
Jul 28, 2026
Mike Davis Walks Back Ugly Rant After UFC Abu Dhabi Loss to Aliev
Davis apologized to Nurullo Aliev, now 12-0, after an angry post-fight outburst about the decision loss on the Abu Dhabi card.
Jul 27, 2026
Khabib Zeroes In on One Flaw After Zaynukov's Winning UFC Debut
Magomed Zaynukov ran his pro record to 9-0 in his Octagon bow, but Khabib Nurmagomedov's first note wasn't praise — it was a missed takedown.
Jul 27, 2026
Makhachev's Coach Says 21-0 Usman Nurmagomedov Beats Every UFC Lightweight
Javier Mendez claims the PFL champ tops the entire 155-pound field — with one exception. Nurmagomedov could hit free agency August 1.
Jul 27, 2026
Roach vs Zepeda: Vacant WBC Lightweight Belt Up for Grabs in Vegas
Two-time controversial-draw victim Lamont Roach meets Shakur Stevenson's only conqueror William Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title on August 1.
Jul 26, 2026
Ismael Bonfim's Scary Weight-Cut Collapse and the Reset That Followed
The 20-6 lightweight says he arrived on fight week still needing to shed 22 pounds before a cut went badly wrong. Now he's rebuilding his approach ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi.
Jul 25, 2026
Dan Hooker Meets Unbeaten Newcomer Salahdine Parnasse in UFC Paris Main Event
Ranked #9 lightweight Dan Hooker headlines UFC Paris on September 5 against KSW standout Salahdine Parnasse, who's making his Octagon debut.
Jul 25, 2026
Magomed Zaynukov Runs Record to 10-0 With Statement UFC Debut in Abu Dhabi
The Team Nurmagomedov prospect shut out fellow unbeaten Damian Rzepecki 30-27 across all three cards — then aimed a jab at Ilia Topuria.
Jul 25, 2026
Brian Ortega Finally Ditches 145, Meets Renato Moicano at UFC 331
The featherweight rematch nobody asked for is now a lightweight fight. Ortega's first bout at 155 lands Sept. 19 in LA — nine years after Moicano tapped to him.
Jul 24, 2026
Salahdine Parnasse Teases UFC Debut in a Dan Hooker Paris Main Event
The 28-year-old Frenchman turned down the UFC in 2024 for KSW money. After a first-round finish on MVP MMA's 17-million-viewer debut, he's finally hinting yes.
Jul 24, 2026