An analysis reveals how winning streaks in the UFC lightweight division have evolved over the past three years. Currently, Islam Makhachev leads with the longest active streak, while several other fighters maintain notable consecutive victories. One year ago, the list was topped by Makhachev with 14 wins, followed by Paddy Pimblett with 6. Two years prior, Makhachev had 12 wins with Renato Moicano and Pimblett each at 5. In April 2022, Charles Oliveira led with 10 wins, followed by Makhachev with 9 and Beneil Dariush with 7. The data demonstrates the competitive fluctuation and dominance shifts within one of the UFC's most talent-rich divisions.
A three-year snapshot of winning streaks in the UFC lightweight division shows how quickly the pecking order can shift, with Islam Makhachev standing as the constant thread running through every stage of the data.
In April 2022, it was Charles Oliveira who held the longest active streak in the division at ten consecutive victories. The Brazilian, now 36 years old and ranked third at lightweight with a professional record of 37 wins and 11 losses, was at the height of his championship run during that period. A well-rounded threat, Oliveira averages 3.35 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy and attempts 2.6 submissions per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete finishers the division has ever produced. Behind him sat Makhachev at nine wins and Beneil Dariush at seven.
Dariush, now 37 and ranked eighth in the division with a record of 23-8-1, was quietly building one of the more underappreciated streaks of that era. The southpaw out of Kings MMA lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute and blends that output with 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes.
By two years ago Oliveira's streak had ended and Makhachev sat atop the list at 12 wins, with Renato Moicano and Paddy Pimblett each at five. One year ago Makhachev had extended that run to 14, with Pimblett in second at six.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's sustained dominance across all three time stamps underlines how few fighters at 155 pounds have been able to challenge his streak
- Oliveira's drop from the top of the list reflects how unforgiving the lightweight division is, even for former champions currently ranked in the top three
- The presence of multiple fighters cycling in and out of the streak leaderboard signals genuine depth and turnover at lightweight
