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Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC lightweight rankings: Ilia Topuria takes No. 1 spot after destructive title fight debut
The UFC lightweight rankings showcase some of the very best talents in MMA. The division has long been the deepest and most talent-rich in the sport's history. Several of its top competitors can also be found in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. With that in mind, here are the official Sportsnaut rankings for the top 10 lightweights in the best cage fighting promotion in all the land. Advertisement 1. Ilia Topuria (17-0) Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Ilia Topuria will go down as one of the great featherweights of all time. But instead of building on his 145-pound resume, 'El Matador' made the move up to lightweight in search of history. Well, he achieved that in June by becoming just the 10th fighter to win gold in two divisions. Crushing former 155-pound champ Charles Oliveria and adding him to his hitlist of legends. 2. Arman Tsarukyan (22-3) Credit: USA Today Sports Arman Tsarukyan has quietly been a top-10 lightweight for quite some time. During his run in the UFC, he has won many fights, and his only losses in the Octagon have come to the current champion, Islam Makhachev, and fellow ranked star Mateusz Gamrot. However, he has overcome those setbacks, and his impressive victory over Charles Oliveira got him the title opportunity he has worked hard for. Unfortunately, a debilitating back injury knocked him out of the bout a day before a scheduled opportunity at UFC 311. Advertisement 3. Justin Gaethje (26-5) Credit: USA Today Sports Justin Gaethje is one of the best lightweight fighters of his generation by earning a legion of fans for being one of the most durable and violent athletes in division history. The American has been in some of the best bouts in division history, including wins and losses. One of his most brutal defeats came at UFC 300 to Max Holloway. However, after taking a year off, he triumphantly returned with a big win against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. It helps him hold on to his top-five spot in our UFC lightweight rankings. Related: Justin Gaethje next fight – When will 'The Highlight' return to the cage? 4. Dustin Poirier (30-9) Credit: USA Today Sports Dustin Poirier is one of the most beloved lightweights of all time. He has taken part in some of the best matches in the division's history and won quite a few of them. However, the biggest mark against a stellar resume is coming up short in title fights. And despite his best efforts at UC 302, he fell to division king Islam Makhachev. Nevertheless, he remains one of the best 155-pounders in the world. Advertisement Related: Dustin Poirier next fight – Get details on 'Diamond's' retirement fight 5. Charles Oliveira (35-11) Credit: USA Today Sports Charles Oliveria owns several UFC records and will go down as one of the greatest Brazilian MMA fighters of all time. There is a lot to love about his fight style, and his resume is stacked with big wins. But age catches up with everyone, and it has affected 'Do Bronx.' He entered his UFC 317 clash with former featherweight Ilia Topuria as a sizable underdog. Well, those odds proved to be right as he was crushed by the one-time 145-pound champ in less than a round. Oliveira remains an elite fighter in the division, but he probably will never again fight for gold. Advertisement 6. Beniel Dariush (23-6-1) Credit: USA Today Sports Beneil Dariush turned into one of the best lightweights in the world during an impressive eight-fight win streak. However, when he faced the elites of the division, he came up short. He got a chance at another top-10 fighter at UFC 317. He needed a win badly, and 'Benny' was able to gut one out against Renato Moicano. He has set himself up for a big fight later this year. 7. Dan Hooker (24-12) Credit: USA Today Sports After moving back and forth between featherweight and lightweight, Aussie Dan Hooker has found a niche at 155 pounds. He also lands a spot in our UFC lightweight rankings after hard-fought wins over ranked opponents Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. While they weren't pretty, he's fairly earned a spot on our top 10. Advertisement Credit: USA Today Sports Former KSW two-division champion Mateusz Gamrot has proven he is a top-10-level fighter by scoring some big wins inside the Octagon. Despite his losses, he has always roared back with big wins and did some with key victories over Jalin Turner, Rafael Fiziev, and Rafael dos Anjos. However, his upset loss to Dan Hooker at UFC 305 is why he falls to the back of our latest UFC lightweight rankings. 9. Renato Moicano (20-7-1) Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Over the last few years, Renato Moicano has evolved into one of the lightweight division's most entertaining fighters. However, his victories over Benoit Saint-Denis and Jalin Turner proved he was a top-10 talent as well. Being ranked means facing elite talent, and the Brazilian has gotten that in his last two bouts. And he has lost both. However, defeats to the former champ and another top 10 fighter keep him at his current spot in our UFC lightweight rankings. Advertisement 10. Paddy Pimblett (23-3) Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Paddy Pimblett has his doubter, and if he likely still will after UFC 314, but the case against the Englishman is getting harder to make. Winning his first six straight in the Octagon put him on the map. But dominantly defeating Michael Chandler sent a message that 'The Baddy' is legit and could be fighting for lightweight gold in 2026. Related: Paddy Pimblett next fight – Who will 'The Baddy' face next? Related Headlines
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Bret Boone on Texas Rangers Role & Team Improvement
So-So Juan Soto: Expectations, Media Scrutiny, and Will He Bounce Back? Is Juan Soto living up to his massive $765M contract with the New York Mets? In this episode of Big League Buzz, hosts Scott Gulbransen and Evan Groat dive into Soto's underwhelming 2025 season, exploring whether performance, pressure, or sky-high expectations are causing the slump. From his decreased bat speed to the intense New York media scrutiny, we break it all down. Plus, we discuss Soto's move from the Yankees, family influence on his decision, and if he'll hit .300 by the All-Star break. Don't miss this deep dive into one of baseball's biggest stories! - Subscribe for more MLB insights! - Visit us at for exclusive baseball coverage! - Check out Evan's interview with Andy McCullough on The Sportsnaut Interview podcast: Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro to Big League Buzz 1:02 - Juan Soto's Mets Struggles Begin 4:00 - Tony Gwynn vs. Elly De La Cruz: Crazy Strikeout Stat 7:00 - Soto's $765M Contract: Pressure or Performance? 12:01 - Yankee Fans Boo Soto: Emotional Impact 19:21 - Family Influence on Soto's Mets Decision 22:02 - New York Media Scrutiny: Is It Too Much? 26:58 - Will Soto Hit .300 by the All-Star Break? 29:50 - Evan's Upcoming Interview with Andy McCullough 33:00 - Outro & Memorial Day Baseball Preview 33:35 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Soto feeling pressure of Mets mega contract?
So-So Juan Soto: Expectations, Media Scrutiny, and Will He Bounce Back? Is Juan Soto living up to his massive $765M contract with the New York Mets? In this episode of Big League Buzz, hosts Scott Gulbransen and Evan Groat dive into Soto's underwhelming 2025 season, exploring whether performance, pressure, or sky-high expectations are causing the slump. From his decreased bat speed to the intense New York media scrutiny, we break it all down. Plus, we discuss Soto's move from the Yankees, family influence on his decision, and if he'll hit .300 by the All-Star break. Don't miss this deep dive into one of baseball's biggest stories! - Subscribe for more MLB insights! - Visit us at for exclusive baseball coverage! - Check out Evan's interview with Andy McCullough on The Sportsnaut Interview podcast: Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro to Big League Buzz 1:02 - Juan Soto's Mets Struggles Begin 4:00 - Tony Gwynn vs. Elly De La Cruz: Crazy Strikeout Stat 7:00 - Soto's $765M Contract: Pressure or Performance? 12:01 - Yankee Fans Boo Soto: Emotional Impact 19:21 - Family Influence on Soto's Mets Decision 22:02 - New York Media Scrutiny: Is It Too Much? 26:58 - Will Soto Hit .300 by the All-Star Break? 29:50 - Evan's Upcoming Interview with Andy McCullough 33:00 - Outro & Memorial Day Baseball Preview 33:35 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elly De La Cruz steals second base
So-So Juan Soto: Expectations, Media Scrutiny, and Will He Bounce Back? Is Juan Soto living up to his massive $765M contract with the New York Mets? In this episode of Big League Buzz, hosts Scott Gulbransen and Evan Groat dive into Soto's underwhelming 2025 season, exploring whether performance, pressure, or sky-high expectations are causing the slump. From his decreased bat speed to the intense New York media scrutiny, we break it all down. Plus, we discuss Soto's move from the Yankees, family influence on his decision, and if he'll hit .300 by the All-Star break. Don't miss this deep dive into one of baseball's biggest stories! - Subscribe for more MLB insights! - Visit us at for exclusive baseball coverage! - Check out Evan's interview with Andy McCullough on The Sportsnaut Interview podcast: Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro to Big League Buzz 1:02 - Juan Soto's Mets Struggles Begin 4:00 - Tony Gwynn vs. Elly De La Cruz: Crazy Strikeout Stat 7:00 - Soto's $765M Contract: Pressure or Performance? 12:01 - Yankee Fans Boo Soto: Emotional Impact 19:21 - Family Influence on Soto's Mets Decision 22:02 - New York Media Scrutiny: Is It Too Much? 26:58 - Will Soto Hit .300 by the All-Star Break? 29:50 - Evan's Upcoming Interview with Andy McCullough 33:00 - Outro & Memorial Day Baseball Preview 33:35 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elly De La Cruz makes leaping catch for out
So-So Juan Soto: Expectations, Media Scrutiny, and Will He Bounce Back? Is Juan Soto living up to his massive $765M contract with the New York Mets? In this episode of Big League Buzz, hosts Scott Gulbransen and Evan Groat dive into Soto's underwhelming 2025 season, exploring whether performance, pressure, or sky-high expectations are causing the slump. From his decreased bat speed to the intense New York media scrutiny, we break it all down. Plus, we discuss Soto's move from the Yankees, family influence on his decision, and if he'll hit .300 by the All-Star break. Don't miss this deep dive into one of baseball's biggest stories! - Subscribe for more MLB insights! - Visit us at for exclusive baseball coverage! - Check out Evan's interview with Andy McCullough on The Sportsnaut Interview podcast: Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro to Big League Buzz 1:02 - Juan Soto's Mets Struggles Begin 4:00 - Tony Gwynn vs. Elly De La Cruz: Crazy Strikeout Stat 7:00 - Soto's $765M Contract: Pressure or Performance? 12:01 - Yankee Fans Boo Soto: Emotional Impact 19:21 - Family Influence on Soto's Mets Decision 22:02 - New York Media Scrutiny: Is It Too Much? 26:58 - Will Soto Hit .300 by the All-Star Break? 29:50 - Evan's Upcoming Interview with Andy McCullough 33:00 - Outro & Memorial Day Baseball Preview 33:35 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
