A comparison of the longest active win streaks in the UFC lightweight division reveals significant shifts in the competitive landscape over the past two years. Currently, the top streaks are led by Islam Makhachev's dominant run, but the rankings behind him have changed considerably. One year ago, the list featured Paddy Pimblett with six wins and several fighters tied at five victories. Two years ago, Renato Moicano, Paddy Pimblett, Drakkar Klose, Mike Davis, and Arman Tsarukyan were among the streak leaders. In April 2022, Charles Oliveira led with ten wins, Islam Makhachev had nine, and Beneil Dariush had seven, with several fighters holding five-fight streaks. The evolving rankings demonstrate the volatile nature of the lightweight division and how quickly the competitive picture can change.
A two-year snapshot of active win streaks in the UFC lightweight division paints a picture of rapid turnover at the top, with familiar names fading from contention and new ones emerging in their place.
Back in April 2022, the division's streak leaders read like a who's who of established contenders. Charles Oliveira sat at the summit with ten consecutive victories, while Islam Makhachev had reeled off nine straight. Beneil Dariush was close behind at seven wins, with several other fighters holding five-fight streaks and pressing for title opportunities.
Oliveira, now 36 years old and ranked third at lightweight with a 37-11-0 record, remains a prominent figure in the division. The Brazilian out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima is also ranked eleventh pound-for-pound, a testament to his enduring relevance. A submission specialist with a striking accuracy of 54 percent and 2.6 submission attempts per fifteen minutes, he remains one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport.
Dariush, a 37-year-old southpaw from Kings MMA now sitting eighth in the lightweight rankings at 23-8-1, was another name attached to a long streak during that April 2022 window. He averages 3.78 significant strikes per minute and mixes in a steady grappling game with over two takedowns per fifteen minutes.
One year ago, the streak picture had already shifted, with Paddy Pimblett riding six consecutive wins and a cluster of fighters tied at five. Two years prior, names like Renato Moicano, Drakkar Klose, Mike Davis, and Arman Tsarukyan were among the leaders. Currently, Makhachev's dominant run sits at the top, with the rest of the list reshuffled once again.
One fighter now drawing attention in that next tier is Fares Ziam, the 29-year-old Frenchman fighting out of Kill Cliff FC. Standing six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, Ziam holds an 18-4-0 record and averages 2.85 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- The lightweight top ten has seen significant turnover in just 24 months, reflecting the division's depth and unpredictability.
- Streaks that once pointed toward title shots have stalled, opening the door for a new wave of contenders.
- Oliveira and Dariush remain ranked despite losing their early-2022 momentum, underlining how difficult it is to break into the division's elite.
