The welterweight division in mixed martial arts contains different weight classes:
The UFC's welterweight division, which groups competitors within 156 to 170 lb (71 to 77 kg) The ONE Championship's welterweight division, with upper limit at
Ambiguity and clarification Many other sports that use the welterweight class, such as boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, define it as below about 147 lb (67 kg). The MMA welterweight class is therefore significantly heavier than the welterweight class of these other sports. For the sake of uniformity, many American mixed martial arts websites refer to competitors between 156 and 170 lb (71 and 77 kg) as welterweights. This encompasses the Shooto middleweight division (167 lb / 76 kg).
The welterweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the Association of Boxing Commissions is 170 lb (77kg).
Professional Champions
Current champions This table last updated in August 2026. Organization Reign began Champion Record Defenses UFC November 15, 2025 Islam Makhachev 29–1 (5 13) 1 PFL July 25, 2026 Thad Jean 12–0 (6 1) 0 ONE Championship November 19, 2022 Christian Lee 18–4 (1) (13KO 4SUB) 0 KSW April 22, 2023 Adrian Bartosiński 18–1 (12KO 2SUB) 4 FEN November 23, 2024 Wawrzyniec Bartnik 12–4 (7KO 0SUB) 2 Fight Nights Global April 6, 2019 Dmitry Bikrev 12–3 (8KO 1SUB) 2 Titan FC March 15, 2019 Michael Graves 9–1 (4KO 2SUB) 1 ACA February 26, 2021 Abubakar Vagaev 20–3 (4KO 1SUB) 0 Legacy Fighting Alliance 0 Cage Warriors 0
Most wins in Welterweight title bouts
Note: the list includes wins in bouts for welterweight titles of major promotions (UFC, Strikeforce, WEC, Bellator) Note: the list includes both undisputed and interim champions Active title reign
NamePromotionTitle bout wins 1. Georges St-Pierre UFC 12 2. Matt Hughes UFC 93. Pat Miletich UFC 5 Ben Askren Bellator 5 Nick Diaz WEC, Strikeforce 5 (1 WEC, 4 Strikeforce) Carlos Condit WEC, UFC 5 (4 WEC, 1 UFC) Kamaru UsmanUFC54. Tyron Woodley UFC4(+1)5. Douglas Lima Bellator 3 Robbie Lawler UFC
See also List of current MMA Welterweight champions List of UFC Welterweight Champions List of Strikeforce Welterweight Champions List of Pancrase Welterweight Champions
Notes a.Fight was recorded as a "Majority Decision Draw". Woodley retained his title.
References