Highlights
- Fighters like B.J. Penn, Randy Couture, and Henry Cejudo showcase unparalleled skills in the octagon, holding titles in multiple divisions.
- These UFC legends like Conor McGregor and Georges St-Pierre have left an indelible mark on the sport with their incredible achievements.
- Amanda Nunes stands out as the first female UFC fighter to hold titles in two weight classes, solidifying her legacy as one of the best.
The UFC stands as the pinnacle of combat sports, not only because of the top-notch fighters but also for their awe-inspiring victories. Over the years, many fighters have risen to the occasion, proving their worth by holding two titles in different weight divisions. Each fighter's unique style and unparalleled achievements place them among the UFC elite.
The UFC has seen many champions with the tenacity and indomitable spirit to hold the titles and inspire future generations. Their valuable accomplishments proved their skill level and bravery in jumping into multiple weight divisions to test themselves.
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10 UFC Champions Who Won Titles In Other Major Promotions
The UFC is the most prestigious MMA organization in the world. However, some of the best fighters in the world have also won belts in other promotions9 B.J. Penn Has Lightweight And Welterweight Title Reigns
No. Of Championship Reigns: 2
- B.J. Penn was the first cross-promotional champion in UFC history.
- He was the first inductee in the modern wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.
B.J. Penn has been equipped with Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and well-rounded fighting abilities. BJ Penn beat Matt Huges for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 46 in 2004. However, he was later stripped of the title due to a contract dispute. Penn became the lightweight champion in 2008 by beating Joe Stevenson. He successfully defended it three times against Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian, and Diego Sanchez, a record at that time. B.J. Penn has a career record of 16-14-2, 7KO. Although he was considered a UFC legend, he remains in the history books as one of the fighters with the longest losing streak.
8 Randy Couture Has Multiple Heavyweight And Light Heavyweight Title Reigns
No. Of Championship Reigns: 6
- Randy Couture was the first double champion in UFC history.
- He won three UFC heavyweight titles, two light heavyweight titles, and one interim light heavyweight title.
Randy Couture cemented his legacy by becoming the eldest fighter to win a championship at 43. His ability to mix striking and wrestling was a trademark of his fighting style, earning him the nickname 'The Natural.' Couture beat Maurice Smith, Kevin Randleman, and Tim Sylvia in the heavyweight division for his three title reigns. On the other hand, he won against Chuck Liddle, Tito Ortiz, and Vitor Belfort for his three championship reigns in the light heavyweight division. Couture has a career record of 19-11, 7KO. Randy Couture has the most main event fights (18) in the history of the UFC.
Ranking Every Current UFC Champion Worst To Best
UFC currently has 12 champions in 2022. With a dozen titles up for grabs, only an elite group can capture the gold. But not all are ranked so high!7 Henry Cejudo Has UFC Flyweight And Bantamweight Title Reigns
No. Of Championship Reigns: 2
- Henry Cejudo is known as Triple C due to his achievements in wrestling and MMA.
- Cejudo also won a gold medal in wrestling at the Olympics.
With a background in wrestling, Cejudo's transition to MMA was spectacular. He became the flyweight champion by dethroning dominant champion Demetrious Johnson, who was considered one of the biggest upsets in the UFC. Cejudo's relentless work ethic and determination propelled him to further success in the bantamweight division. He beat Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 to win the UFC Bantamweight Championship. His overall career record is 16-4, 8KO. His ability to adapt his wrestling skills to the World of MMA and his competitive drive make him one of the dominant forces in the UFC.
6 Alex Pereira Has UFC Middleweight And Light Heavyweight Title Reigns
No. Of Championship Reigns: 2
- Alex Pereira is the first and only UFC fighter to win the Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Championships.
- He was ranked No. 1 in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions in 2021.
Alex Pereira vs Jamahil Hill is scheduled for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title at UFC 300. Pereira did not have a single successful title defense. His striking prowess and knockout power made him a fighter to watch in the UFC. His career record of 9-2, &KO showed his striking ability in MMA. Pereira holds the record for the shortest time in between holding the championships. The devastating knee strike demonstrated Pereira's ability to finish fights spectacularly. His rivalry with Israel Adesanya was among the best rivalries in UFC history.
5 Conor McGregor Has UFC Featherweight And Lightweight Title Reigns
No. Of Championship Reigns: 3
- Conor McGregor has the most Pay-Per-View Buys (13 million) in UFC history.
- McGregor holds the record for the first UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously.
Conor McGregor is undoubtedly the most iconic figure in UFC history. McGregor's best UFC performance against Jose Aldo, Eddie Alvarez, and Nate Diaz cemented his place at the top of the table. McGregor won the Featherweight and Lightweight championships and an interim Featherweight title victory. His larger-than-life persona and exceptional fighting skills propelled him to global stardom. McGregor could not defend his title once because he was stripped of both titles due to inactivity. His counterstriking and knockout power drove him to many quick knockouts, earning him a career record of 22-6, 19KO. McGregor's ability to generate immense hype and sell out arenas made him a true superstar, transcending the sport itself.
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Top 8 UFC Champions Who Never Successfully Defended Their Title
It's hard enough to win a championship in the UFC, but unfortunately for these fighters, they never had a successful title defense.4 Daniel Cormier Has UFC Heavyweight And Light Heavyweight Title Reigns
No. Of Championship Reigns: 2
- Daniel Cormier was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
- He was the first fighter to successfully defend both titles after winning them.
Daniel Cormier beat Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title in one of the most exciting bouts. He faced some of the greatest fighters in the UFC, such as Anderson Silva, Anthony Johnson, and Jon Jones. Cormier's successfully defended the light heavyweight championship thrice and the heavyweight title once. Cormier's trilogy with Stipe Miocic and rivalry with Jon Jones will always be remembered among the most iconic rivalries in the history of the UFC. Cormier's charisma, leadership, and 22-3-1,10KO career record listed him among the UFC legends.
3 Jon Jones Has Light Heavyweight And Heavyweight Title Reigns
No. Of Championship Reigns: 3
- Jon Jones has the longest championship reign in UFC history (1501 days).
- Jon Jones has the longest unbeaten streak in UFC history, having 19 straight victories.
- He has the most title defenses, most wins, and the longest winning streak in the UFC light heavyweight division.
Jon Jones is a perfect example of perfection. His unique blend of striking, wrestling, and unorthodox techniques has made him a force to reckon with. Jon Jones has a career record of 27-1-1, 10KO. Jones' controversial loss to Matt Hamil has been a dark mark on his exceptional record. However, he beat many contenders, including Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Rashad Evans. Jon Jones is the current Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. Jon Jones' ability to adapt his game plan classified him among the best UFC champions ever.
2 Georges St-Pierre Has Welterweight And Middleweight Title Reigns
No. Of Champions Reigns: 4
- Georges St-Pierre was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2020.
- He holds the record for most championship fights in the UFC welterweight division.
Georges St-Pierre, often called GSP, is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters ever. His well-rounded skill set, and exceptional athleticism made him a formidable opponent in the welterweight division. He defended his welterweight title against many challengers, including Matt Hughes, B.J. Penn, and Josh Koscheck. His career record is 26-2, 8KO. GSP is among the few fighters who retired as champions as he announced his retirement after winning the UFC middleweight championship. Georges St-Pierre is among the highest Paid UFC Fighters.
1 Amanda Nunes Has Bantamweight And Featherweight Title Reigns
No. Of Championship Reigns: 3
- Amanda Nunes holds the record for the most wins in title fights in the women's division.
- Nunes is the first and only female fighter who became a double UFC champion.
Amanda Nunes dominated the women's division with her devastating knockout power and exceptional grappling skills. She rose to stardom in UFC 200 by beating Miesha Tate for the Bantamweight title. She successfully defended her title against the likes of Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, and Valentina Shevchenko, solidifying her status as the queen of the bantamweight division. She became a double champion by beating Cris Cyborg in just 51 seconds for the featherweight title. With a career record of 23-5, 13KO, she cemented her legacy by becoming the only female fighter to retire as a double champion. She also holds the record for achieving the dual champion status twice in her career.
