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

These tables were last updated in February of 2026.

  Active title reign
  Active title reign (interim)

Men:

OrganizationReign BeganChampionRecordDefenses
UFC June 14, 2026 Flag of the United States.svg Justin Gaethje 28-5-0 (21KO 1SUB)0
ACA September 19, 2020 Flag of Russia.svg Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov 22-2-0 (9KO 6SUB)4
Brave CF June 23, 2023 Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg Abdisalam Kubanychbek Uulu23-3-0 (1) (12KO 3SUB)3
Brave CF October 3, 2025 Flag of Georgia.svg Raul Tutarauli 37-8-0 (22KO 5SUB)0
CFFC February 6, 2026 Flag of the United States.svg Solomon Simon13-2-0 (3KO 3SUB)0
Cage Warriors March 21, 2025 Flag of Brazil.svg Samuel Silva13-5-1 (4KO 3SUB)0
Cage Warriors November 22, 2025 Flag of Jamaica.svg Omiel Brown12-3-0 (6KO 4SUB)0
DEEP September 16, 2024 Flag of Japan.svg Shunta Nomura10-2-0 (4KO 0SUB)0
DEEP November 22, 2025 Flag of Japan.svg Juri Ohara37-22-2 (20KO 2SUB)0
Eagle FC November 11, 2023 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Ramin Sultanov9-1-0 (4KO 3SUB)0
FEN November 23, 2024 Flag of Poland.svg Damian Rzepecki 9-0-0 (4KO 5SUB)1
Ice Cage March 23, 2025 Flag of Finland.svg Makwan Amirkhani 20-11-0 (1KO 14SUB)0
Jungle Fight August 26, 2023 Flag of Brazil.svg Arcangelo Oliveira14-5-0 (3KO 6SUB)2
KSW June 3, 2023 Flag of France.svg Salahdine Parnasse 22-2-0 (7KO 7SUB)3
LFA April 21, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Richie Miranda12-1-0 (5KO 2SUB)1
LFA November 3, 2023 Flag of Brazil.svg Jefferson Nascimento12-0-0 (4K0 3SUB)1
LUX Fight League November 1, 2024 Flag of Mexico.svg Kazula Vargas 16-6-0 (7KO 7SUB)0
Oktagon MMA January 31, 2026 Flag of Poland.svg Mateusz Legierski 13-2-0 (4KO 3SUB)0
ONE Championship August 26, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Christian Lee 18-4-0 (1) (13KO 4SUB)1
Pancrase March 31, 2024 Flag of Japan.svg Tatsuya Saika14-6-0 (13KO 0SUB)0
PFL October 3, 2025 Flag of Russia.svg Usman Nurmagomedov 21-0-0 (1) (8KO 7SUB)1
RIZIN FF May 10, 2026 Flag of Brazil.svg Luiz Gustavo16-4-0 (9KO 5SUB)0
Shooto N/AFlag placeholder.svgVacant [a] N/AN/A

Women:

OrganizationReign BeganChampionRecordDefenses
Jewels N/AFlag placeholder.svgVacantN/AN/A

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) [b]
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

  1. ↑ The companies’ champions that are listed as “vacant” have won the company’s title for their division, but either is signed to another company (eg; Vacant), or has competed in the same promotion since then, but has no hold to a title defense, therefore indicating a non-title bout.
  2. ↑ 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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