The UFC Champions List for 2026 includes 12 active title holders across men’s and women’s divisions.
This guide shows every current champion, their title win dates, title defense records, and how they compare to all-time greats like Anderson Silva and Demetrious Johnson.
Current UFC Champions by Division
| Division | Champion | Title Won | Method | Defenses |
| Heavyweight | Tom Aspinall | June 21, 2025 | Inherited (Jones retired) | 0 |
| Light Heavyweight | Alex Pereira | Oct. 4, 2025 | TKO Round 1 vs. Ankalaev | 0 |
| Middleweight | Khamzat Chimaev | Aug. 16, 2025 | UD vs. Du Plessis | 0 |
| Welterweight | Islam Makhachev | Nov. 15, 2025 | UD vs. Della Maddalena | 0 |
| Lightweight | Ilia Topuria | June 28, 2025 | KO Round 1 vs. Oliveira | 0 |
| Featherweight | Alexander Volkanovski | April 12, 2025 | UD vs. Diego Lopes | 1 |
| Bantamweight | Petr Yan | Dec. 6, 2025 | UD vs. Merab Dvalishvili | 0 |
| Flyweight | Joshua Van | Dec. 6, 2025 | TKO Round 1 vs. Pantoja | 0 |
| Women’s Bantamweight | Kayla Harrison | June 7, 2025 | SUB Round 2 vs. Peña | 0 |
| Women’s Flyweight | Valentina Shevchenko | Sept. 14, 2024 | UD vs. Alexa Grasso | 2 |
| Women’s Strawweight | Mackenzie Dern | Oct. 25, 2025 | UD vs. Virna Jandiroba | 0 |
| Women’s Featherweight | VACANT | — | — | — |
The UFC Champions List includes 8 men’s divisions and 4 women’s divisions. Tom Aspinall inherited the heavyweight title when Jon Jones retired.
Alex Pereira knocked out Magomed Ankalaev for light heavyweight gold.
Khamzat Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis for middleweight in August 2025. Islam Makhachev won welterweight and now holds titles in two divisions.
Ilia Topuria remained undefeated at 17-0 after knocking out Charles Oliveira. Alexander Volkanovski has 1 successful title defense at featherweight.
Petr Yan reclaimed the bantamweight title in a remarkable comeback. Joshua Van knocked out Alexandre Pantoja for flyweight gold at UFC 323.
Kayla Harrison won women’s bantamweight using Olympic judo credentials. Valentina Shevchenko leads women’s champions with 2 consecutive title defenses. Mackenzie Dern won strawweight via unanimous decision. Women’s featherweight remains vacant.
All-Time Title Defense Records: Comparing Current Champions to Legends
The current UFC Champions List shows mostly new titleholders with zero consecutive defenses. But historical records reveal the dominance levels required to truly cement legacy status.
Demetrious Johnson holds the undisputed all-time record with 11 consecutive title defenses. His flyweight reign lasted 1,813 days from 2013 to 2017, defeating elite opponents like John Dodson, Joseph Benavidez, and Henry Cejudo.
Here’s how the greatest title defense reigns compare:
All-Time Title Defense Rankings:
- Demetrious Johnson: 11 consecutive defenses (Flyweight, 2013-2017)
- Anderson Silva: 10 consecutive defenses (Middleweight, 2006-2013)
- Georges St-Pierre: 9 consecutive defenses (Welterweight, 2008-2013)
- Jon Jones: 8 consecutive defenses (Light Heavyweight, 2011-2015)
- Jose Aldo: 7 consecutive defenses (Featherweight, 2011-2015)
- Valentina Shevchenko: 7 consecutive defenses (Bantamweight/Flyweight, 2018-2024)
Anderson Silva’s reign lasted 2,457 days, the longest title tenure in UFC history. His creative striking and highlight-reel finishes elevated the middleweight division while defeating Rich Franklin twice, Chael Sonnen twice, and Vitor Belfort.
Georges St-Pierre mastered the art of championship defense through tactical brilliance. His 9 consecutive defenses included dominant victories over BJ Penn, Carlos Condit, and Johny Hendricks during his welterweight dominance.
Current UFC Champions List members average zero defenses each. Alexander Volkanovski’s 1 defense places him closest to beginning a historic reign, but he faces a difficult path ahead in a stacked featherweight division.
The Rise of Multi-Division Champions in 2026
Islam Makhachev represents a new era in the UFC Champions List. After establishing himself as the dominant lightweight, he challenged the welterweight division and won in November 2025.
This makes Makhachev a two-division champion, joining an exclusive group with Conor McGregor and Randy Couture. His 16-0 welterweight record shows elite performance at a heavier weight class.
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According to detailed MMA training analysis, moving between divisions requires significant physical and strategic adjustments that most champions never attempt. The weight difference alone impacts wrestling, clinch control, and striking power dramatically.
Ilia Topuria, currently undefeated at 17-0, has publicly expressed interest in facing Makhachev at welterweight. This potential matchup would create a historic multi-division championship showdown in 2026.
When dominant champions move up weight classes, division vacancies open immediately. New fighters get title opportunities they might never receive otherwise. This creates ripple effects across the entire UFC Champions List hierarchy.
Why Champions Move Between Divisions:
- Greater financial incentives at higher weight classes
- Desire to test themselves against larger, stronger opponents
- Opportunity to cement legacy through multi-division dominance
- Media attention and global recognition
- Potential unification matches against other division champions
Emerging Champions and 2025-2026 Title Shifts
December 2025 brought massive changes to the UFC Champions List. Two championships changed hands at UFC 323.
Petr Yan reclaimed the bantamweight title after a 1-4 run from 2021 to 2023. Joshua Van shocked flyweight with a Round 1 TKO over Alexandre Pantoja.
Tom Aspinall inherited the heavyweight title when Jon Jones announced retirement. Kayla Harrison brought Olympic judo credentials to women’s bantamweight.
These new UFC Champions List entries represent the modern champion profile, hungry and less established than historical greats.
Women’s MMA Expansion: Five Active Divisions in the Modern UFC Champions List
The UFC Champions List now includes five active women’s divisions. Valentina Shevchenko remains the most successful women’s champion with 2 consecutive title defenses.
Mackenzie Dern’s strawweight victory demonstrates improving striking level. Kayla Harrison brings unique Olympic judo skill set.
Women’s divisions timeline shows rapid expansion. Women’s featherweight currently remains vacant, creating opportunity for division reactivation. As talent depth continues increasing, expect more women’s divisions to emerge.
The gap between women’s and men’s title defense records reflects recent expansion timelines rather than capability limitations.
2026 Predictions: Which Champions Could Break Records
Alexander Volkanovski’s single title defense places him closest to threatening historical records. His April 2025 championship win gave him the longest current reign on the UFC Champions List.
At 38 years old, Volkanovski faces a difficult path through a stacked featherweight division. If he successfully defends multiple times this year, he enters the all-time conversation. However, contenders like Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev present serious threats.
Ilia Topuria’s undefeated 17-0 record suggests championship longevity potential. His path to multi-division dominance mirrors the Makhachev template, but facing Makhachev at welterweight would test his abilities against significantly larger opponents.
Islam Makhachev already holds titles in two divisions, positioning himself for historic achievement. His 16-0 welterweight record combined with prior lightweight dominance creates compelling legacy narrative.
No current UFC Champions List member approaches the 11-consecutive defense record set by Demetrious Johnson. Modern fighting depth means fewer athletes achieve sustained championship dominance compared to earlier eras.
2026 Championship Scenarios:
- Volkanovski: 2-3 defenses could establish him as all-time contender
- Topuria: Potential move to welterweight for mega-fight with Makhachev
- Makhachev: Continued success could cement two-division legacy
- New contenders: Emerging fighters in vacant/unstable divisions
FAQs
Who is the current UFC heavyweight champion?
Tom Aspinall holds the heavyweight title after Jon Jones retired. He inherited the undisputed championship in June 2025.
What is the record for most consecutive UFC title defenses?
Demetrious Johnson holds the record with 11 consecutive defenses from 2013 to 2017. Anderson Silva ranks second with 10 consecutive defenses.
How many active weight divisions does the UFC have?
The UFC currently operates 12 active weight divisions. Eight serve male fighters and four serve female competitors.
Which current champions are undefeated?
Ilia Topuria remains undefeated at 17-0 as lightweight champion. Islam Makhachev holds 16-0 record at welterweight currently.
Has any current champion defended their title?
Alexander Volkanovski has one successful title defense in his current reign. Valentina Shevchenko leads with 2 consecutive defenses among active champions.
What makes Islam Makhachev’s championship unique?
Islam Makhachev became a two-division champion after winning welterweight gold in November 2025. His prior lightweight championship success made this dual achievement historically significant.
When did the UFC add women’s divisions?
The UFC introduced its first female fighters in November 2012 with Ronda Rousey. Women’s divisions expanded from one to five active championships over time.
Who defeated the previous UFC Champions?
Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili to reclaim the bantamweight title in December 2025. Joshua Van knocked out Alexandre Pantoja in Round 1 for flyweight gold.
What division remains vacant on the UFC Champions List?
Women’s featherweight stands vacant after Amanda Nunes’ retirement in 2023. This division likely reopens in 2026 as talent continues developing worldwide.
How do current champions compare to historical title defense records?
The current UFC Champions List members average zero consecutive defenses. Anderson Silva’s 10 consecutive defenses and Demetrious Johnson’s 11 set historic standards rarely approached today.
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