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 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 These tables were last updated in February of 2026. Active title reign Active title reign (interim) Men: OrganizationReign BeganChampionRecordDefensesUFC June 14, 2026 Justin Gaethje28-5-0 (21KO 1SUB)0ACA September 19, 2020 Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov 22-2-0 (9KO 6SUB)4Brave CF June 23, 2023 Abdisalam Kubanychbek Uulu23-3-0 (1) (12KO 3SUB)3Brave CF October 3, 2025 Raul Tutarauli37-8-0 (22KO 5SUB)0CFFC February 6, 2026 Solomon Simon13-2-0 (3KO 3SUB)0Cage Warriors March 21, 2025 Samuel Silva13-5-1 (4KO 3SUB)0Cage Warriors November 22, 2025 Omiel Brown12-3-0 (6KO 4SUB)0DEEP September 16, 2024 Shunta Nomura10-2-0 (4KO 0SUB)0DEEP November 22, 2025 Juri Ohara37-22-2 (20KO 2SUB)0Eagle FC November 11, 2023 Ramin Sultanov9-1-0 (4KO 3SUB)0FEN November 23, 2024 Damian Rzepecki9-0-0 (4KO 5SUB)1Ice Cage March 23, 2025 Makwan Amirkhani20-11-0 (1KO 14SUB)0Jungle Fight August 26, 2023 Arcangelo Oliveira14-5-0 (3KO 6SUB)2KSW June 3, 2023 Salahdine Parnasse22-2-0 (7KO 7SUB)3LFA April 21, 2025 Richie Miranda12-1-0 (5KO 2SUB)1LFA November 3, 2023 Jefferson Nascimento12-0-0 (4K0 3SUB)1LUX Fight League November 1, 2024 Kazula Vargas16-6-0 (7KO 7SUB)0Oktagon MMA January 31, 2026 Mateusz Legierski13-2-0 (4KO 3SUB)0ONE Championship August 26, 2022 Christian Lee18-4-0 (1) (13KO 4SUB)1Pancrase March 31, 2024 Tatsuya Saika14-6-0 (13KO 0SUB)0PFL October 3, 2025 Usman Nurmagomedov22-0-0 (1) (9KO 7SUB)2RIZIN FF May 10, 2026 Luiz Gustavo16-4-0 (9KO 5SUB)0Shooto N/A VacantN/AN/A
Women: OrganizationReign BeganChampionRecordDefensesJewels N/A VacantN/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. Gilbert Melendez WEC, Strikeforce 10 (1 WEC, 9 Strikeforce) 2. Benson Henderson WEC, UFC 7 (3 WEC, 4 UFC)3. Islam MakhachevUFC5 Michael Chandler Bellator 4. B.J. Penn UFC 4 Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC Usman Nurmagomedov Bellator Eddie Alvarez Bellator, UFC 4 (3 Bellator, 1 UFC)5. Jens Pulver UFC 3 Eduard Folayang ONE Gabe Ruediger WEC Hermes Franca WEC Jamie Varner WEC Frankie Edgar UFC3 (+1) Anthony Pettis WEC, UFC 3 (1 WEC, 2 UFC)6. Sean Sherk UFC 2 Rob McCullough WEC Rafael dos Anjos UFC Charles Oliveira UFC
Most consecutive defenses of lightweight title
NamePromotionConsecutive title defenses 1. Islam Makhachev UFC 4 2. Gilbert Melendez Strikeforce 4 3. B.J. Penn UFC 3 4. Frankie Edgar UFC 3 5. Benson Henderson UFC 3 6. 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
References
External links