A historical comparison tracks the evolution of active win streaks in the UFC lightweight division over three years. Currently, the longest streaks are led by Islam Makhachev at 16 wins, followed by Diego Lopes at 6, and several fighters at 5 including Arman Tsarukyan, Nasrat Haqparast, and Fares Ziam. One year ago, Makhachev led with 14, followed by Paddy Pimblett at 6. Two years ago, Makhachev had 12, with Renato Moicano and Pimblett at 5. In April 2022, Charles Oliveira led with 10, Makhachev had 9, Beneil Dariush had 7, and multiple fighters including Tsarukyan held 5-fight streaks. The data illustrates how momentum shifts in one of the UFC's most competitive divisions.
A three-year snapshot of active win streaks in the UFC lightweight division reveals how dramatically momentum has shifted across the roster, with Islam Makhachev standing alone at the top and a fresh group of contenders rising behind him.
As of May 2026, Makhachev leads all active lightweights with a 16-fight winning streak, extending the dominance he has held over this leaderboard for years. One year prior he sat at 14 consecutive wins, two years prior at 12, and in April 2022 he was already building at nine. Behind him today, Diego Lopes holds a six-fight streak, while Arman Tsarukyan, Nasrat Haqparast, and Fares Ziam are each riding five-fight runs. Ziam, 29, fights out of France under the Kill Cliff FC banner, stands six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, and carries an 18-4-0 record in a division that offers very little margin for error.
The historical comparison also highlights how quickly momentum can fade. Charles Oliveira led the entire division two years ago with a ten-fight streak and today sits ranked third at lightweight with a 37-11-0 record at age 36, a testament to how competitive the 155-pound class remains. Paddy Pimblett held a six-fight streak one year ago and two years ago but no longer appears among the division leaders. Beneil Dariush carried a seven-fight streak in April 2022 and now holds an 23-8-1 record at age 37, ranked eighth.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's streak dwarfs the rest of the division and underscores his hold on the championship tier
- Tsarukyan's continued presence on this list over multiple snapshots marks him as one of the most consistent challengers
- The rapid turnover among fighters outside the top spot reflects lightweight's reputation as the UFC's most brutal division for sustaining momentum
- Ziam and Lopes emerging as streak leaders signals a generational shift brewing beneath the established contenders
