Who will be the next champion at 155lb.?
This is a stacked division!
We called it! After knocking out Conor McGregor at UFC 257 who will Dustin Poirier face next? So much uncertainty with the departure of the pound for pound greatest Khabib Nurmagomedov last year 2020. Who will be the next UFC lightweight champion? Will Dana White convince Khabib to step back into the octagon one more time? Will there be a guest return to the division?
As pressure mounts for the division the following fighters have an opportunity to be crowned the next lightweight champion. We have newcomer Michael Chandler, with an impressive UFC debut knockout of Dan Hooker which propelled him to UFC stardom. Dustin’s win pushed Conor further back in the lightweight division. Conor is calling for a rematch to complete the duo’s trilogy, will Dustin give him the opportunity? In 2020 Justin Gaethje won the interim lightweight title has a case for a title shot, even though he was unsuccessful against Nurmagomedov’s last title defense. The winning streak of Charles Oliveira is currently riding an eight-fight win streak with seven of those wins coming by way of finish. Oliveira rose to prominence after defeating long time contender and former Interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson in December 2020 and has been actively pursuing a fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler have emerged as the top contenders. Gaethje still a potential prospect could fight Chandler squaring off to become the next in line for a title shot. Oliveira could fight Poirier in a championship fight later this year. Ferguson coming off a loss to Gaethje and Oliveira riding a two-fight losing streak. Then you have former champion Rafael dos Anjos who defeating Paul Felder in his return lightweight match this past November. We could possibly see Chandler matchup against dos Anjos if UFC offers it.
We have a stacked division with some interesting match ups after UFC 257.