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Lightweight (MMA)

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MMA weight class

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

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 February 2023.

Organization Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
UFC October 22, 2022 Russia Islam Makhachev 26-1 3
Bellator MMA November 18, 2022 Russia Usman Nurmagomedov 18-0 (1) 2
ONE Championship August 26, 2022 United States Christian Lee 17-4 0
Rizin FF June 13, 2021 Brazil Roberto de Souza 17-3 3
Oktagon MMA December 9, 2023 Slovakia Ronald "Rony" Paradiser 18-8 0
ACA September 19, 2020 Russia Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov 19-2 1
Cage Warriors July 22, 2022 England George Hardwick 12-1 2
Fight Nights Global Vacant
KSW June 3, 2023 France Salahdine Parnasse 18-1 0
Road FC July 23, 2022 South Korea Si Won Park 8-0 1
Titan FC Vacant
Legacy Fighting Alliance May 19, 2023 United States 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
  Active title reign
Name Promotion Title bout wins
1. United States Gilbert Melendez WEC, Strikeforce 10 (1 WEC, 9 Strikeforce)
2. United States Benson Henderson WEC, UFC 7 (3 WEC, 4 UFC)
3. United States Michael Chandler Bellator 5
4. United States B.J. Penn UFC 4
Russia Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC
United States Eddie Alvarez Bellator, UFC 4 (3 Bellator, 1 UFC)
5. United States Jens Pulver UFC 3
Russia Islam Makhachev UFC
Philippines Eduard Folayang ONE
United States Gabe Ruediger WEC
Brazil Hermes Franca WEC
United States Jamie Varner WEC
United States Frankie Edgar UFC 3 (+1)
United States Anthony Pettis WEC, UFC 3 (1 WEC, 2 UFC)
6. United States Sean Sherk UFC 2
United States Rob McCullough WEC
Brazil Rafael dos Anjos UFC
Brazil Charles Oliveira UFC
Russia Usman Nurmagomedov Bellator

Most consecutive defenses of lightweight title

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

External links

Weight classes in mixed martial arts
Unified Rules
Other
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