List of Professional Fighters League champions

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Professional Fighters League ("PFL"; formerly the World Series of Fighting, or "WSOF") is an American mixed martial arts promotion company, and the following is a history of its superfight champions in each weight class. This list also includes championship histories for their international partners PFL Europe, WSOF: Canada and WSOF Global.

Contents

Current PFL Super Fight Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Francis Ngannou 2023 (cropped).png
Current PFL Super Fight Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

PFL

Men's Super Fights Championship History

Super Fights Heavyweight Championship

206 to 265 lbs (93 to 120 kg)

No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Cameroon.svg Francis Ngannou
def. Renan Ferreira 		PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia		Oct 19, 202448 days
(incumbent)

Women's Super Fights Championship History

Super Fights Women's Featherweight Championship

135 to 145 lbs (61 to 66 kg)

No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Brazil.svg Cris Cyborg
def. Larissa Pacheco 		PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia		Oct 19, 202448 days
(incumbent)

Tournament winners

EventDateDivisionWinnerRunner-up
PFL 11 (2018) Dec 31, 2018Heavyweight Flag of Brazil.svg Philipe Lins Flag of the United States.svg Josh Copeland
Light Heavyweight Flag of the United States.svg Sean O'Connell Flag of Brazil.svg Vinny Magalhães
Middleweight Flag of the United States.svg Louis Taylor Flag of Russia.svg Abus Magomedov
Welterweight Flag of Russia.svg Magomed Magomedkerimov Flag of the United States.svg Ray Cooper III
Lightweight Flag of Brazil.svg Natan Schulte Flag of Russia.svg Rashid Magomedov
Featherweight Flag of the United States.svg Lance Palmer Flag of the United States.svg Steven Siler
PFL 10 (2019) Dec 31, 2019Heavyweight Flag of Russia.svg Ali Isaev Flag of the United States.svg Jared Rosholt
Light Heavyweight Flag of Argentina.svg Emiliano Sordi Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Johnson
Welterweight Flag of the United States.svg Ray Cooper III Flag of the United States.svg David Michaud
Lightweight Flag of Brazil.svg Natan Schulte (2) Flag of Tajikistan.svg Loik Radzhabov
Featherweight Flag of the United States.svg Lance Palmer (2) Flag of the United States.svg Alex Gilpin
Women's Lightweight Flag of the United States.svg Kayla Harrison Flag of Brazil.svg Larissa Pacheco
PFL 10 (2021) Oct 27, 2021Heavyweight Flag of Brazil.svg Bruno Cappelozza Flag of Croatia.svg Ante Delija
Light Heavyweight Flag of Brazil.svg Antônio Carlos Júnior Flag of Norway.svg Marthin Hamlet
Welterweight Flag of the United States.svg Ray Cooper III (2) Flag of Russia.svg Magomed Magomedkerimov
Lightweight Flag of Brazil.svg Raush Manfio Flag of Tajikistan.svg Loik Radzhabov
Featherweight Flag of Russia.svg Movlid Khaybulaev Flag of the United States.svg Chris Wade
Women's Lightweight Flag of the United States.svg Kayla Harrison (2) Flag of the United States.svg Taylor Guardado
PFL 10 (2022) Nov 25, 2022Heavyweight Flag of Croatia.svg Ante Delija Flag of Brazil.svg Matheus Scheffel
Light Heavyweight Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rob Wilkinson Flag of Russia.svg Omari Akhmedov
Welterweight Flag of Sweden.svg Sadibou Sy Flag of the United States.svg Dilano Taylor
Lightweight Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Olivier Aubin-Mercier Flag of Scotland.svg Stevie Ray
Featherweight Flag of England.svg Brendan Loughnane Flag of the United States.svg Bubba Jenkins
Women's Lightweight Flag of Brazil.svg Larissa Pacheco Flag of the United States.svg Kayla Harrison
PFL 10 (2023) Nov 24, 2023Heavyweight Flag of Brazil.svg Renan Ferreira Flag of Russia.svg Denis Goltsov
Light Heavyweight Flag of the United States.svg Impa Kasanganay Flag of the United States.svg Josh Silveira
Welterweight Flag of Russia.svg Magomed Magomedkerimov (2) Flag of Sweden.svg Sadibou Sy
Lightweight Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Olivier Aubin-Mercier (2) Flag of the United States.svg Clay Collard
Featherweight Flag of Peru.svg Jesus Pinedo Flag of Brazil.svg Gabriel Alves Braga
Women's Featherweight Flag of the United States.svg Larissa Pacheco (2) Flag of Russia.svg Marina Mokhnatkina
PFL 10 (2024) November 29, 2024Heavyweight Flag of Russia.svg Denis Goltsov Flag of Russia.svg Oleg Popov
Light Heavyweight Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov Flag of the United States.svg Impa Kasanganay
Welterweight Flag of Russia.svg Shamil Musaev Flag of Russia.svg Magomed Umalatov
Lightweight Flag of Russia.svg Gadzhi Rabadanov Flag of the United States.svg Brent Primus
Featherweight Flag of Russia.svg Timur Khizriev Flag of England.svg Brendan Loughnane
Women's Flyweight Flag of England.svg Dakota Ditcheva Flag of Brazil.svg Taila Santos

Europe Tournament winners

EventDateDivisionWinnerRunner-up
PFL Europe 4 (2023) Dec 8, 2023Light Heavyweight Flag of Slovenia.svg Jakob Nedoh Flag of England.svg Simeón Powell
Lightweight Flag of Poland.svg Jakub Kaszuba Flag of Ireland.svg John Mitchell
Bantamweight Flag of Tajikistan.svg Khurshed Kakhorov Flag of South Africa.svg Frans Mlambo
Women's Flyweight Flag of England.svg Dakota Ditcheva Flag of Italy.svg Valentina Scatizzi
PFL Europe 4 (2024) Dec 14, 2024WelterweightFlag placeholder.svgFlag placeholder.svg
LightweightFlag placeholder.svgFlag placeholder.svg
BantamweightFlag placeholder.svgFlag placeholder.svg
Women's FlyweightFlag placeholder.svgFlag placeholder.svg

MENA Tournament winners

EventDateDivisionWinnerRunner-up
PFL 10 (2024) November 29, 2024Welterweight Flag of Egypt.svg Omar El Dafrawy Flag of Kuwait.svg Mohammad Alaqraa
Lightweight Flag of Iran.svg Mohsen Mohammadseifi Flag of Lebanon.svg Georges Eid
Featherweight Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Abdullah Al-Qahtani Flag of Morocco.svg Maraoune Bellagouit
Bantamweight Flag of Iraq.svg Ali Taleb Flag of Morocco.svg Rachid El Hazoume

WSOF

Men's Championship History (defunct)

All WSOF Championships were retired and vacated on June 7, 2018, when the PFL league format began at PFL 1. The PFL crowns seasonal champions as an alternative to recognizing a single lineal champion.

Heavyweight Championship

206 to 265 lbs (93 to 120 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Greece.svg Smealinho Rama
def. Derrick Mehmen 		WSOF 14
Edmonton, AB, Canada		Oct 11, 2014237 days
2 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Blagoy Ivanov WSOF 21
Edmonton, AB, Canada		Jun 5, 20153472 days

1. def. Derrick Mehmen at WSOF 24 on Oct 17, 2015
2. def. Josh Copeland at WSOF 31 on Jun 17, 2016
3. def. Shawn Jordan at WSOF 35 on Mar 18, 2017
4. def. Caio Alencar at PFL Fight Night on Nov 2, 2017

Ivanov vacated title on April 25, 2018, after becoming free agent and signing with the UFC.

Light Heavyweight Championship

186 to 205 lbs (84 to 93 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of the United States.svg David Branch
def. Teddy Holder		 WSOF 23
Phoenix, AZ, U.S.		Sep 18, 2015507 days

1. def. Vinny Magalhães at WSOF 33 on Oct 7, 2016

Branch vacated title on February 6, 2017, after becoming free agent and signing with the UFC.

Middleweight Championship

171 to 185 lbs (77 to 84 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of the United States.svg David Branch
def. Jesse Taylor 		WSOF 10
Las Vegas, NV, U.S.		June 21, 2014961 days

1. def. Yushin Okami at WSOF 15 on Nov 15, 2014
2. def. Clifford Starks at WSOF 30 on Apr 2, 2016
3. def. Louis Taylor at WSOF 34 on Dec 31, 2016

Branch vacated title on February 6, 2017, after becoming free agent and signing with the UFC.

Welterweight Championship

156 to 170 lbs (70 to 77 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Carl
def. Josh Burkman 		WSOF 6
Coral Gables, FL, U.S.		Oct 26, 2013154 days
2 Flag of Brazil.svg Rousimar Palhares WSOF 9
Las Vegas, NV, U.S.		Mar 29, 2014492 days

1. def. Jon Fitch at WSOF 16 on Dec 13, 2014
2. def. Jake Shields at WSOF 22 on Aug 1, 2015

Palhares was stripped of the title on August 3, 2015.
3 Flag of the United States.svg Jon Fitch
def. João Zeferino		 WSOF 30
Las Vegas, NV, U.S.		Apr 2, 2016698 days

1. def. Jake Shields at WSOF 34 on Dec 31, 2016
2. def. Brian Foster at PFL Daytona on Jun 30, 2017

Fitch vacated title on March 1, 2018, after signing with Bellator.

Lightweight Championship

146 to 155 lbs (66 to 70 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of the United States.svg Justin Gaethje
def. Richard Patishnock		 WSOF 8
Hollywood, FL, U.S.		Jan 18, 20141196 days

1. def. Nick Newell at WSOF 11 on July 5, 2014
2. def. Luis Palomino at WSOF 19 on Mar 28, 2015
3. def. Luis Palomino at WSOF 23 on Sep 18, 2015
4. def. Brian Foster at WSOF 29 on Mar 12, 2016
5. def. Luiz Firmino at WSOF 34 on Dec 31, 2016

Gaethje vacated title on April 27, 2017, after signing with the UFC.

Featherweight Championship

136 to 145 lbs (61 to 66 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Russia.svg Georgi Karakhanyan
def. Lance Palmer 		WSOF 7
Vancouver, BC, Canada		Dec 7, 2013196 days
2 Flag of the United States.svg Ricky Glenn WSOF 10
Las Vegas, NV, U.S.		Jun 21, 2014176 days
3 Flag of the United States.svg Lance Palmer WSOF 16
Sacramento, CA, U.S.		Dec 13, 2014371 days

1. def. Chris Horodecki at WSOF 21 on June 5, 2015

4 Flag of Brazil.svg Alexandre Almeida WSOF 26
Las Vegas, NV, U.S.		Dec 18, 2015226 days
5 Flag of the United States.svg Lance Palmer (2) WSOF 32
Everett, WA, U.S.		Jul 30, 2016231 days
(602 days)
6 Flag of the United States.svg Andre Harrison WSOF 35
Verona, NY, U.S.		Mar 18, 2017446 days

1. def. Steven Rodriguez at PFL Everett on Jul 29, 2017

The WSOF Featherweight championship was retired on June 7, 2018 when the PFL league format began at PFL 1. [1] [2]

Bantamweight Championship

126 to 135 lbs (57 to 61 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Brazil.svg Marlon Moraes
def. Josh Rettinghouse		 WSOF 9
Las Vegas, NV, USA		March 29, 20141,011 days

1. def. Josh Hill at WSOF 18 on Feb 12, 2015
2. def. Sheymon Moraes at WSOF 22 on Aug 1, 2015
3. def. Joseph Barajas at WSOF 28 on Feb 20, 2016
4. def. Josh Hill at WSOF 32 on Jul 30, 2016
5. def. Josenaldo Silva at WSOF 34 on Dec 31, 2016

Moraes vacated title on January 3, 2017, after becoming a free agent and signing with the UFC.
2 Flag of Russia.svg Bekbulat Magomedov
def. Donavon Frelow		 WSOF 35
Verona, NY, USA		March 18, 2017446 days
The WSOF Bantamweight championship was retired on June 7, 2018 when the PFL league format began at PFL 1. [1] [2]

Flyweight Championship

116 to 125 lbs (53 to 57 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Russia.svg Magomed Bibulatov
def. Donavon Frelow		 WSOF 24
Mashantucket, CT, USA		October 17, 2015446 days
Bibulatov vacated title on January 5, 2017, after joining the UFC.

Women's Championship History (defunct)

All WSOF Championships were retired and vacated on June 7, 2018 when the PFL league format began at PFL 1. The PFL crowns seasonal champions as an alternative to recognizing a single lineal champion.

Women's Strawweight Championship

106 to 115 lb (48 to 52 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Jessica Aguilar
def. Alida Gray 		WSOF 8
Hollywood, FL, USA		January 18, 2014484 days

1. def. Emi Fujino at WSOF 10 on June 21, 2014
2. def. Kalindra Faria at WSOF 15 on Nov 15, 2014

Aguilar vacated title on May 18, 2015, after joining the UFC.

International Championship History (defunct)

All WSOF International Championships were retired and vacated on June 7, 2018 when the PFL league format began at PFL 1. The PFL crowns seasonal champions as an alternative to recognizing a single lineal champion.

Canadian Welterweight Championship

156 to 170 lbs (70 to 77 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ryan Ford
def. Joel Powell		 WSOF Canada 1
Edmonton, AB, Canada		February 21, 2014472 days
Ford vacated title on June 8, 2015, after retiring from the sport of MMA.

Global Heavyweight Championship

206 to 265 lbs (93 to 120 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Russia.svg Evgeny Erokhin
def. Brandon Cash 		WSOF Global Championship 2: Japan
Tokyo, Japan		February 7, 2016851 days1. def. Richard Odoms at WSOF Global Championship 3: Philippines
All WSOF International championships were retired and vacated on June 7, 2018 when the PFL league format began at PFL 1. [1] [2]

Global Flyweight Championship

125 lbs (57 kg)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Japan.svg Yusaku Nakamura
def. Lawrence Diguilio		 Deep Cage Impact 2016: DEEP vs. WSOF-GC
Tokyo, Japan		December 17, 2016537 days
All WSOF International championships were retired and vacated on June 7, 2018 when the PFL league format began at PFL 1. [1] [2]

Tournament winners

Event(s)DivisionChampionRunner-upFinal
WSOF 5, WSOF 7 e WSOF 10 Middleweight Flag of the United States.svg David Branch Flag of the United States.svg Jesse Taylor June 21, 2014
WSOF 20 e WSOF 23 Light Heavyweight Flag of the United States.svg David Branch Flag of the United States.svg Teddy HolderSeptember 18, 2015
WSOF 25 Lightweight Flag of the United States.svg Brian Foster Flag of Brazil.svg João ZeferinoNovember 20, 2015

Records

Most wins in title bouts

The following includes all fighters with three or more championship and/or interim championship title fights. Fighters with the same number of title wins are arranged in order of most title bouts. Tournament championships are not included.

Title wins

Champion

Weight class

WDNCL
6 Flag of the United States.svg Justin Gaethje Lightweight6000
Flag of Brazil.svg Marlon Moraes Bantamweight6000
Flag of the United States.svg David Branch Light Heavyweight
Middleweight		2
4		0
0		0
0		0
0
5 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Blagoy Ivanov Heavyweight5000
3 Flag of the United States.svg Lance Palmer Featherweight3003
Flag of Mexico.svg Jessica Aguilar Women's Strawweight3000
Flag of Brazil.svg Rousimar Palhares Welterweight3000

Most consecutive title defenses

The following includes all WSOF champions who were able to consecutively defend their title two times or more. Fighters with the same number of title defenses are listed chronologically.

DefensesChampionWeight classSpan
5 Flag of the United States.svg Justin Gaethje LightweightJanuary 18, 2014 - April 27, 2017
Flag of Brazil.svg Marlon Moraes BantamweightMarch 29, 2014 - January 3, 2017
4 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Blagoy Ivanov HeavyweightJune 5, 2015 - April 25, 2018
3 Flag of the United States.svg David Branch MiddleweightJune 21, 2014 - February 6, 2017
2 Flag of Mexico.svg Jessica Aguilar Women's StrawweightJanuary 18, 2014 - May 18, 2015
Flag of Brazil.svg Rousimar Palhares WelterweightMarch 29, 2014 - August 4, 2015

Multi-division champions

Interim title

Fighters who have won championships in multiple weight classes. [3] Tournament champions are not included.

No.ChampionDivisionWonLostDefensesReignTotal Reign
1 Flag of the United States.svg David Branch Light HeavyweightSeptember 18, 2015
(WSOF 23)		February 6, 2017
(Vacated)		1507 days1468 days
MiddleweightJune 21, 2014
(WSOF 10)		February 6, 2017
(Vacated)		3961 days

Simultaneous two division champions

This table, different from the previous one, only counts the periods in which the fighter loaded the titles simultaneously and the defenses in that period of time.

No.ChampionDivisionSpanDefensesSimultaneous Reign
1 Flag of the United States.svg David Branch Light HeavyweightSeptember 18, 2015 – February 6, 20171507 days
Middleweight2

Champions by nationality

Fighters with multiple title reigns in a specific division will be counted once in the Division champions. Interim champions who have never become linear champions will be listed as interim champions.

CountryTournament
champions		Division
champions		International
champions		Total
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 88-16
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 73110
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 63-9
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1-11
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1--1
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria -1-1
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece -1-1
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico -1-1
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan --11

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Staff (2018-08-31). "Playoff matchups set for PFL's first season of $1 million winners". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Fight Card - PFL 11". PFL.
  3. ↑ "MMA All-time Record Holders". sportsillustrated. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012.
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