Lightweight (MMA)
The lightweight division in mixed martial arts contains different weight classes:
- The UFC's lightweight division, which groups competitors within 146 to 155 lb (66 to 70 kg)
- The Shooto lightweight division, which limits competitors to 145 lb (65.8 kg)
- The ONE Championship's lightweight division, with an upper limit at 77.1 kg (170.0 lb)
- The Road FC's lightweight division, with an upper limit at 154 lb (70 kg)
Ambiguity and clarification
[edit]For the sake of uniformity, most American mixed martial arts media outlets consider Lightweight competitors to be between 146 and 155 lb (66 and 70 kg). This encompasses The Shooto Welterweight division (154 lb / 70 kg).
The UFC's lightweight division was reinstated at UFC 58 after falling into disuse following UFC 49. Sean Sherk, a former welterweight contender, defeated Kenny Florian at UFC 64, becoming the first UFC lightweight champion since 2002.
The lightweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission[1] and the Association of Boxing Commissions[2] is 155 lb (70 kg).
Professional champions
[edit]Current champions
[edit]This table last updated in February 2023.
| Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC | October 22, 2022 |  Islam Makhachev
|
26-1 | 3 |
| Bellator MMA | November 18, 2022 | Usman Nurmagomedov
|
17-0 (1) | 1 |
| ONE Championship | August 26, 2022 |  Christian Lee
|
17-4 | 0 |
| Rizin FF | June 13, 2021 |  Roberto de Souza
|
17-3 | 3 |
| Oktagon MMA | December 9, 2023 |  Ronald "Rony" Paradiser
|
18-8 | 0 |
| ACA | September 19, 2020 | Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov
|
19-2 | 1 |
| Cage Warriors | July 22, 2022 |  George Hardwick
|
12-1 | 2 |
| Fight Nights Global |  Vacant
|
|||
| KSW | June 3, 2023 |  Salahdine Parnasse
|
18-1 | 0 |
| Road FC | July 23, 2022 |  Si Won Park
|
8-0 | 1 |
| Titan FC | Vacant
|
|||
| Legacy Fighting Alliance | May 19, 2023 | JaCobi Jones
|
6-1 | 0 |
Most wins in lightweight title bouts
[edit]- Note: the list includes wins in bouts for lightweight titles of major promotions (UFC, ONE, Strikeforce, WEC, Bellator)
- Note: the list includes both undisputed and interim champions
- Active title reign
| Name | Promotion | Title bout wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gilbert Melendez |
WEC, Strikeforce | 10 (1 WEC, 9 Strikeforce) |
| 2. | Benson Henderson |
WEC, UFC | 7 (3 WEC, 4 UFC) |
| 3. | Michael Chandler |
Bellator | 5 |
| 4. | B.J. Penn |
UFC | 4 |
| Khabib Nurmagomedov |
UFC | ||
| Eddie Alvarez |
Bellator, UFC | 4 (3 Bellator, 1 UFC) | |
| 5. | Jens Pulver |
UFC | 3 |
| Islam Makhachev |
UFC | ||
 Eduard Folayang |
ONE | ||
| Gabe Ruediger |
WEC | ||
| Hermes Franca |
WEC | ||
| Jamie Varner |
WEC | ||
| Frankie Edgar |
UFC | 3 (+1a) | |
| Anthony Pettis |
WEC, UFC | 3 (1 WEC, 2 UFC) | |
| 6. | Sean Sherk |
UFC | 2 |
| Rob McCullough |
WEC | ||
| Rafael dos Anjos |
UFC | ||
| Charles Oliveira |
UFC | ||
| Usman Nurmagomedov
|
Bellator |
Most consecutive defenses of lightweight title
[edit]| Name | Promotion | Consecutive title defenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gilbert Melendez |
Strikeforce | 4 |
| 2. | B.J. Penn |
UFC | 3 |
| 3. | Frankie Edgar |
UFC | 3 |
| 4. | Benson Henderson |
UFC | 3 |
| 5. | Khabib Nurmagomedov |
UFC | 3 |
| 6. | Islam Makhachev |
UFC | 3 |
See also
[edit]- List of current MMA Lightweight champions
- List of UFC Lightweight Champions
- List of Strikeforce Lightweight Champions
- List of Pancrase Lightweight Champions
- List of Road FC Lightweight Champions
Notes
[edit]- a.^ Edgar's title defense against Gray Maynard at UFC 125 was a split draw. Edgar retained the Lightweight title. The two later rematched at UFC 136, with Edgar defeating Maynard via KO and defending his title.
References
[edit]- ^ "Nevada Revised Statutes: Chapter 467 - Unarmed Combat". leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ^ "Unified Rules of MMA". Association of Boxing Commissions. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Lightweight mixed martial artists at Wikimedia Commons
