A detailed comparison shows how the longest active win streaks in the UFC lightweight division have changed from 2022 to 2026. Currently, Islam Makhachev leads with 16 consecutive victories, followed by Paddy Pimblett with 8. One year ago, Makhachev had 14 wins with Pimblett at 6. Two years ago in 2024, Makhachev had 12 wins while Renato Moicano and Pimblett each had 5. In April 2022, Charles Oliveira led with 10 wins, followed by Makhachev with 9 and Beneil Dariush with 7. The analysis demonstrates how dramatically the divisional landscape has shifted with Makhachev's continued dominance.
A statistical breakdown tracking the UFC lightweight division's longest active win streaks across a four-year span reveals just how thoroughly Islam Makhachev has reshaped the 155-pound landscape — and how the contenders around him have come and gone.
The numbers tell a clear story. In April 2022, Charles Oliveira sat atop the division with a 10-fight winning streak, trailed closely by Makhachev at nine and Beneil Dariush at seven. By 2024, Makhachev had extended his run to 12 straight, with Renato Moicano and Paddy Pimblett each sitting at five. A year later in 2025, Makhachev was at 14 and Pimblett at six. As of May 2026, Makhachev leads all UFC lightweights with 16 consecutive victories, while Pimblett follows at eight.
Oliveira, now 36 years old and ranked third at lightweight with a career record of 37 wins and 11 losses, remains one of the division's most dangerous competitors. The Brazilian southpaw out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima 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 well-rounded finishers in the sport's history.
Dariush, a 37-year-old American southpaw ranked eighth at lightweight, owns a record of 23-8-1 and trains out of Kings MMA. He averages 3.78 significant strikes landed per minute and has posted 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's 16-fight streak is nearly double the next closest active streak in the division, underlining his sustained dominance
- The 2022 picture featured three distinct streak leaders; by 2026 the gap at the top has become pronounced
- Oliveira and Dariush, both streak leaders in prior snapshots, remain ranked contenders, keeping the historical context relevant to current title picture discussions
