Lightweight (MMA)

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The lightweight division in mixed martial arts contains different weight classes:

Contents

Ambiguity and clarification

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

Current champions

This table last updated in June 2025.

OrganizationReign BeganChampionRecordDefenses
UFC June 28, 2025 Flag of Georgia.svg Ilia Topuria 17-00
PFL August 1, 2025 Flag of Russia.svg Usman Nurmagomedov 19-0 (1)0
ONE Championship August 26, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Christian Lee 17-40
Rizin FF June 13, 2021 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto de Souza 19-34
KSW June 3, 2023 Flag of France.svg Salahdine Parnasse 21-23
Oktagon MMA December 29, 2024 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Losene Keita 16-10
ACA September 19, 2020 Flag of Russia.svg Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov 19-21
Cage Warriors July 22, 2022 Flag of England.svg George Hardwick12-12
Fight Nights Global Flag placeholder.svg Vacant
Road FC July 23, 2022 Flag of South Korea.svg Si Won Park8-01
Titan FC Flag placeholder.svg Vacant
Legacy Fighting Alliance May 19, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg JaCobi Jones6-10

Most wins in lightweight title bouts

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
NamePromotionTitle bout wins
1. Flag of the United States.svg Gilbert Melendez WEC, Strikeforce 10 (1 WEC, 9 Strikeforce)
2. Flag of the United States.svg Benson Henderson WEC, UFC 7 (3 WEC, 4 UFC)
3. Flag of Russia.svg Islam Makhachev UFC5
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Chandler Bellator
4. Flag of the United States.svg B.J. Penn UFC4
Flag of Russia.svg Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC
Flag of Russia.svg Usman Nurmagomedov Bellator
Flag of the United States.svg Eddie Alvarez Bellator, UFC4 (3 Bellator, 1 UFC)
5. Flag of the United States.svg Jens Pulver UFC3
Flag of the Philippines.svg Eduard Folayang ONE
Flag of the United States.svg Gabe Ruediger WEC
Flag of Brazil.svg Hermes Franca WEC
Flag of the United States.svg Jamie Varner WEC
Flag of the United States.svg Frankie Edgar UFC3 (+1 a )
Flag of the United States.svg Anthony Pettis WEC, UFC3 (1 WEC, 2 UFC)
6. Flag of the United States.svg Sean Sherk UFC2
Flag of the United States.svg Rob McCullough WEC
Flag of Brazil.svg Rafael dos Anjos UFC
Flag of Brazil.svg Charles Oliveira UFC

Most consecutive defenses of lightweight title

NamePromotionConsecutive title defenses
1. Flag of Russia.svg Islam Makhachev UFC 4
2. Flag of the United States.svg Gilbert Melendez Strikeforce 4
3. Flag of the United States.svg B.J. Penn UFC 3
4. Flag of the United States.svg Frankie Edgar UFC 3
5. Flag of the United States.svg Benson Henderson UFC 3
6. Flag of Russia.svg Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC 3

See also

Notes

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

  1. ↑ "Nevada Revised Statutes: Chapter 467 - Unarmed Combat". leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
  2. ↑ "Unified Rules of MMA". Association of Boxing Commissions. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
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