Lightweight (MMA)

Template:Short description 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 Template:Convert
• The Road FC's lightweight division, with an upper limit at 154 lb (70 kg)

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 and the Association of Boxing Commissions is 155 lb (70 kg).

Professional champions

Current champions

This table last updated in June 2025.

Organization	Reign Began	Champion	Record	Defenses
UFC	June 28, 2025	Template:Flagicon Ilia Topuria	17-0	0
Bellator MMA	November 18, 2022	Template:Flagicon Usman Nurmagomedov	19-0 (1)	3
ONE Championship	August 26, 2022	Template:Flagicon Christian Lee	17-4	0
Rizin FF	June 13, 2021	Template:Flagicon Roberto de Souza	18-3	4
KSW	June 3, 2023	Template:Flagicon Salahdine Parnasse	21-2	3
Oktagon MMA	December 29, 2024	Template:Flagicon Losene Keita	16-1	0
ACA	September 19, 2020	Template:Flagicon Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov	19-2	1
Cage Warriors	July 22, 2022	Template:Flagicon George Hardwick	12-1	2
Fight Nights Global		Template:Flagicon Vacant
Road FC	July 23, 2022	Template:Flagicon Si Won Park	8-0	1
Titan FC		Template:Flagicon Vacant
Legacy Fighting Alliance	May 19, 2023	Template:Flagicon JaCobi Jones	6-1	0

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

Template:Color box Active title reign

	Name	Promotion	Title bout wins
1.	Template:Flagicon Gilbert Melendez	WEC, Strikeforce	10 (1 WEC, 9 Strikeforce)
2.	Template:Flagicon Benson Henderson	WEC, UFC	7 (3 WEC, 4 UFC)
3.	Template:Flagicon Islam Makhachev	UFC	5
	Template:Flagicon Michael Chandler	Bellator
4.	Template:Flagicon B.J. Penn	UFC	4
	Template:Flagicon Khabib Nurmagomedov	UFC
	Template:Flagicon Usman Nurmagomedov	Bellator
Template:Flagicon Eddie Alvarez	Bellator, UFC	4 (3 Bellator, 1 UFC)
5.	Template:Flagicon Jens Pulver	UFC	3
	Template:Flagicon Eduard Folayang	ONE
	Template:Flagicon Gabe Ruediger	WEC
	Template:Flagicon Hermes Franca	WEC
	Template:Flagicon Jamie Varner	WEC
	Template:Flagicon Frankie Edgar	UFC	3 (+1a)
	Template:Flagicon Anthony Pettis	WEC, UFC	3 (1 WEC, 2 UFC)
6.	Template:Flagicon Sean Sherk	UFC	2
	Template:Flagicon Rob McCullough	WEC
	Template:Flagicon Rafael dos Anjos	UFC
	Template:Flagicon Charles Oliveira	UFC

Most consecutive defenses of lightweight title

	Name	Promotion	Consecutive title defenses
1.	Template:Flagicon Islam Makhachev	UFC	4
2.	Template:Flagicon Gilbert Melendez	Strikeforce	4
3.	Template:Flagicon B.J. Penn	UFC	3
4.	Template:Flagicon Frankie Edgar	UFC	3
5.	Template:Flagicon Benson Henderson	UFC	3
6.	Template:Flagicon Khabib Nurmagomedov	UFC	3

See also

• 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

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.

External links

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