An analysis tracked the longest active win streaks in the lightweight division over three years, showing significant changes. Currently, Islam Makhachev leads with 16 wins, followed by Arman Tsarukyan with 7. One year ago, Makhachev had 14 wins with Paddy Pimblett at 6 wins in second place. Two years ago, Makhachev had 12 wins with multiple fighters tied at 5 wins including Renato Moicano and Pimblett. In April 2022, Charles Oliveira led with 10 wins, Makhachev had 9, and Beneil Dariush had 7 wins in the division.
A three-year snapshot of lightweight division win streaks reveals just how dominant Islam Makhachev has been at the top of the 155-pound weight class, while the names surrounding him have shifted considerably over that span.
As of May 2026, Makhachev sits at 16 consecutive wins, a figure that has grown steadily throughout the tracking period. Arman Tsarukyan currently holds second place with seven wins in a row. One year prior, Makhachev was at 14 wins, with Paddy Pimblett sitting second at six. Two years ago, Makhachev had reached 12 straight, with both Pimblett and Renato Moicano tied at five. The snapshot from April 2022 tells a different story entirely: Charles Oliveira led the division with 10 consecutive wins, Makhachev was just behind at nine, and Beneil Dariush held third at seven.
Oliveira, now 36, carries a record of 37-11-0 and ranks third in the lightweight division, with a pound-for-pound ranking of 11. The Brazilian finisher averages 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, one of the higher rates in the division, and lands significant strikes at 54 percent accuracy.
Dariush, a 37-year-old southpaw out of Kings MMA, holds a record of 23-8-1 and sits at number eight in the lightweight rankings. He averages 3.78 significant strikes per minute and has demonstrated consistent grappling volume with 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's streak has grown by seven wins over the three-year window, illustrating an unbroken grip on the division's top position.
- The turnover in second place — from Oliveira to Dariush to Pimblett to Tsarukyan — reflects how competitive the chasing pack has remained.
- Oliveira's presence near the top in 2022 as streak leader, and his current top-three ranking, underscores his continued relevance despite ceding the lead.
