UFC Lightweight Champion Odds, Best Bets, Predictions 2023

Islam Makhachev is the current lightweight champion in the UFC. He is on an 11-fight winning streak and is ranked as the number two pound-for-pound fighter in UFC by the bookmakers. His first title defense and fight of 2023 is scheduled for UFC 284 in February against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Alexander Volkanovski is next in line for a shot at the lightweight title. He is the current featherweight champion and he will move up to the light-heavyweight division this February.

Charles Oliveira was riding a 10-fight winning streak and held the lightweight title heading into 2022. He was stripped of the title last year after he missed weight prior to his UFC 274 bout against Justin Gaethje. Oliveirai was not eligible to leave with the belt after being submitted in the second round by Islam Makhachev.

Beneil Dariush is currently on an eight-fight winning streak. He has only fought once in 2022. Last October he took on Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 and won by unanimous decision. Darianush has been linked to Dustin Poirier for a future fight.

Dustin Poirier has fought only once in 2022. He defeated Michael Chandler at UFC 281 last November. Poier is the number two lightweight contender. He has been in and out of hospital since the end of last year with a staph infection.