Lightweight (MMA)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 kg (169.8 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[1] and the Association of Boxing Commissions[2] is 155 lb (70 kg).

Professional champions[]

Current champions[]

This table last updated in December 2021.

Organization Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
UFC May 15, 2021 Brazil Charles Oliveira 32-8-1 1
Bellator MMA May 11, 2019 Brazil Patrício Freire 32-4 0
ONE Championship May 17, 2019 United States Christian Lee 15-3 2
ACA September 19, 2020 Russia Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov 18-2 0
Cage Warriors June 25, 2021 Northern Ireland Joe McColgan 8-3-1 0
Fight Nights Global Vacant
KSW December 19, 2020 Poland Marian Ziółkowski 23-8-1 1
Road FC May 18, 2019 France Mansour Barnaoui 19-4 0
Titan FC Vacant
Legacy Fighting Alliance Vacant

Most wins in lightweight title bouts[]

Note: the list includes wins in bouts for lightweight titles of major promotions (UFC, 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
United States Gabe Ruediger WEC
Brazil Hermes Franca WEC
United States Jamie Varner WEC
United States Frankie Edgar UFC 3 (+1a)
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

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. Russia 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.

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[]

Retrieved from ""