​Though UFC 329 wrapped up in a somewhat underwhelming fashion, it nonetheless opened up compelling potential matchups for the lightweight division. Last month, Justin Gaethje captured the title by toppling Ilia Topuria, and the reverberations from that championship bout are shaping who might earn the next crack at the belt. With the division still buzzing, here are three intriguing lightweight bouts worth pursuing in the near future.
In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett, the ninth-ranked lightweight, tapped Benoit Saint Denis with a devastating choke to rebound from his loss to Gaethje earlier in the year. While Gaethje is likely set to sit out the rest of the year, Pimblett can position himself for another title shot upon his return in 2027. A showdown with the division’s second-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan, would go a long way toward resolving who deserves the next title opportunity. Pimblett has won four of his last five fights, three of which came by finish—submission or TKO—and he’s rapidly become a fan favorite due to his charisma, resilience, and fearless style. A Pimblett–Tsarukyan pairing makes plenty of sense as a title eliminator, pitting two elite grapplers against each other and potentially cementing the next challenger for Gaethje or whoever holds the belt.
Tsarukyan, on the other hand, is riding a five-fight winning streak that includes wins over Dan Hooker (ranked 11) and Charles Oliveira (ranked 3). He was originally slated to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311 but withdrew due to medical concerns. With both fighters ascending the ladder, a Pimblett–Tsarukyan showdown would be a high-stakes, stylistically compelling clash that could determine the next title aspirant. Expect it to function as a definitive title-eliminator, bringing two of the division’s premier grapplers into a decisive battle.
As for Max Holloway, the picture for a trilogy with Conor McGregor appears unlikely given McGregor’s current ACL injury concerns. Rather than waiting on a trilogy that may never materialize, Holloway could drop back down to lightweight to face Mauricio “Ruffy” Ruffy (noting the spelling and pronunciation variants that sometimes circulate in discussion). Ruffy recently delivered a sensational performance, knocking out Michael Chandler at UFC Freedom 250 and also taking out Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325, underscoring his status as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers.
A Holloway–Ruffy pairing would pit two dynamic stand-up specialists against one another, almost guaranteed to deliver fireworks for the fans. The matchup would give Holloway a chance to reassert his dominance at 155 while testing Ruffy’s elite striking credentials against a proven former champion. Some fans may question Holloway’s decision to face a fighter ranked below him, especially given that he is the last person to defeat the current champion, Oliveira. Yet Holloway’s move to lightweight could be framed as a strategic bid to secure another title shot, leveraging his name value and continued relevance in a rapidly evolving division.
In sum, the lightweight division remains one of the most vibrant and unpredictable in the UFC. Pimblett’s surge toward a possible title shot, Tsarukyan’s continued ascent, and Holloway’s potential return to form at 155 all promise an exciting future. The next batch of matchups—Pimblett vs. Tsarukyan, Holloway vs. Ruffy, and the ongoing speculation around Gaethje’s challengers—could reshape the landscape and set the stage for a thrilling championship picture in 2027.