5 finest UFC light-weight matchups to make proper now

The UFC’s light-weight division is undoubtedly probably the most stacked within the promotion proper now, with quite a lot of star fighters competing at 155 kilos.

Going into 2024, then, which fights ought to the UFC’s matchmakers look to place collectively between the celebs on the high of the division? With quite a lot of choices on the market, it’s not the best job to kind, however equally, whichever route they take ought to be enjoyable.

Listed here are the 5 finest UFC light-weight matchups to make proper now.

#5. Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler

One battle that’s seemingly already been made within the UFC’s light-weight division is the long-awaited conflict between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.

The 2 stars have been set to face off for a very long time now, and coached TUF 31 earlier this yr in opposition to each other. Dana White and firm had been hoping to get the battle completed this yr, but it surely looks like they’ll now have to attend till 2024 for it to go down.

How related to the division is that this battle at this stage? That’s a good query to ask. Chandler stays ranked within the high 10, at present sitting at No.5, and whereas ‘The Notorious’ is now not ranked, he’s nonetheless the promotion’s greatest star general.

If the Irishman had been to win, then, there’s each probability he’d be handed an prompt title shot primarily based purely on his star energy. Likewise, a win over McGregor could be priceless for Chandler’s profession hopes.

Nonetheless, neither man has fought for a very long time now, with McGregor outright on the shelf since his leg harm in 2021. There’s an argument, then, that that is merely a sideshow bout greater than something.

Regardless of that, it’s nonetheless an enormous deal for the UFC and for the followers, and so it’s effectively value leaving the reserving intact.

#4. Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Dan Hooker

Arguably the fastest-rising light-weight star in 2023 was France’s Benoit Saint-Denis. ‘The God of War’ has rocketed up the rankings into No.11 since dropping to 155 kilos in 2022, and he’s now driving a five-fight win streak.

Extra to the purpose, the Frenchman has completed all 5 of these opponents, delivering two tap-outs and three knockouts. Primarily, he’s a really harmful fighter.

Saint-Denis undoubtedly wants a step up for his subsequent battle, so the proper opponent for him may very well be veteran Dan Hooker.

The New Zealand native is at present ranked at No.9 and has received each of his fights since returning to 155 kilos within the latter a part of final yr. He was as a consequence of face Bobby Inexperienced this previous weekend however was compelled to withdraw as a consequence of an harm.

‘The Hangman’ stays arguably the highest-level gatekeeper at 155 kilos, although, so if Saint-Denis has his sights set on changing into a title contender, beating Hooker could be the proper begin.

General, this might be a wild and thrilling battle too, making it effectively value placing collectively.

#3. Dustin Poirier vs. Mateusz Gamrot

Exterior of Conor McGregor and present light-weight champ Islam Makhachev, it’s controversial that Dustin Poirier is the most important star within the UFC at 155 kilos.

Nonetheless, ‘The Diamond’ at present has a difficulty, and that’s as a result of the final time we noticed him battle, he was effectively crushed by Justin Gaethje.

Primarily, Poirier now has two decisions: both he might swap weight class to hunt for a superfight in opposition to somebody like Colby Covington, or he might look to get again into title competition by knocking off a rising prospect.

If he chooses the latter, which might most likely make sense, one of the best foe for him could be Mateusz Gamrot.

‘Gamer’ lacks some identify worth, however he’s undoubtedly a world-class fighter, along with his solely latest loss coming in a good choice in opposition to Beneil Dariush. He’s additionally the one fighter, together with Makhachev, to ever beat Arman Tsarukyan.

Presently on a two-fight win streak and ranked at No.6, solely an enormous battle is smart for the Polish fighter proper now, and Poirier would undoubtedly qualify as that large battle.

‘The Diamond’ might effectively consider he’s above preventing rising stars like Gamrot, however greater than something proper now, he wants a win. Due to this fact, he most likely must take no matter battle he can get, and primarily based purely on the rankings, this one would make sense.

#2. Justin Gaethje vs. Arman Tsarukyan

This previous weekend noticed sizzling prospect Arman Tsarukyan choose up his greatest win thus far, as he dispatched perennial contender Beneil Dariush by way of knockout in simply over a minute.

The Armenian is now prone to steal Dariush’s rating of No.4, which means he’s actually going to be yet another win away from a title shot.

Due to this fact, solely two potential opponents make sense for him – No.3-ranked Justin Gaethje or No.2-ranked Charles Oliveira.

On condition that Oliveira was signed to battle Islam Makhachev for the title earlier than selecting up an harm, it appears doubtless that the UFC will need to keep in that course. If that’s the case, then a battle between Tsarukyan and Gaethje could be excellent.

The brand new ‘BMF’ champion after his win over Dustin Poirier, Gaethje might be essentially the most lethal striker within the division and he’s additionally near-impossible to take down.

If Tsarukyan might discover a well past him, it’d be actually outstanding and he’d undoubtedly warrant a title shot. Then again, if Gaethje might knock off this sizzling prospect, then he’d have earned a shot on the gold in his personal proper. Primarily, this battle makes an excessive amount of sense not to e-book.

#1. UFC light-weight title: Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2

Following his dramatic knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 in October, light-weight kingpin Islam Makhachev is undoubtedly on the highest of the world. Not solely is the Dagestani the titleholder at 155 kilos, he’s additionally thought of the promotion’s finest pound-for-pound fighter, too.

So who ought to be subsequent for Makhachev? Primarily, he has two clear-cut challengers proper now in former titleholder Charles Oliveira and ‘ BMF’ champion Justin Gaethje.

Both fighter could be an ideal opponent for Makhachev, however on condition that Oliveira had the chance earlier than he picked up an harm in October, it’s doubtless that ‘Do Bronx’ continues to be on the entrance of the queue.

Certain, the Brazilian misplaced badly to Makhachev of their first bout in 2022, however he returned to destroy Beneil Dariush earlier this yr and might be going to be better-prepared the second time round.

Oliveira stays the UFC’s most threatening submission artist, and with knockout energy in his palms too, he poses an enormous risk to Makhachev, even when their first battle was one-sided.

Due to this fact, the UFC ought to attempt to put the rematch again collectively as quickly as attainable, and let the chips fall the place they could.