Thelightweight division inmixed martial arts contains different weight classes:
For the sake of uniformity, mostAmerican 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 atUFC 58 after falling into disuse followingUFC 49.Sean Sherk, a formerwelterweight contender, defeatedKenny Florian atUFC 64, becoming the first UFC lightweight champion since 2002.
The lightweight limit, as defined by theNevada State Athletic Commission[1] and theAssociation of Boxing Commissions[2] is 155 lb (70 kg).
These tables were last updated in February of 2026.
Men:
| Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC | June 28, 2025 |  Ilia Topuria | 17-0-0 (7KO 8SUB) | 0 |
| ACA | September 19, 2020 |  Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov | 22-2-0 (9KO 6SUB) | 4 |
| Brave CF | June 23, 2023 |  Abdisalam Kubanychbek Uulu | 23-3-0 (1) (12KO 3SUB) | 3 |
| Brave CF | October 3, 2025 | Raul Tutarauli | 37-8-0 (22KO 5SUB) | 0 |
| CFFC | February 6, 2026 |  Solomon Simon | 13-2-0 (3KO 3SUB) | 0 |
| Cage Warriors | March 21, 2025 |  Samuel Silva | 13-5-1 (4KO 3SUB) | 0 |
| Cage Warriors | November 22, 2025 |  Omiel Brown | 12-3-0 (6KO 4SUB) | 0 |
| DEEP | September 16, 2024 |  Shunta Nomura | 10-2-0 (4KO 0SUB) | 0 |
| DEEP | November 22, 2025 | Juri Ohara | 37-22-2 (20KO 2SUB) | 0 |
| Eagle FC | November 11, 2023 |  Ramin Sultanov | 9-1-0 (4KO 3SUB) | 0 |
| FEN | November 23, 2024 |  Damian Rzepecki | 9-0-0 (4KO 5SUB) | 1 |
| Jungle Fight | August 26, 2023 | Arcangelo Oliveira | 14-5-0 (3KO 6SUB) | 2 |
| KSW | June 3, 2023 |  Salahdine Parnasse | 22-2-0 (7KO 7SUB) | 3 |
| LFA | April 21, 2025 | Richie Miranda | 12-1-0 (5KO 2SUB) | 1 |
| LFA | November 3, 2023 | Jefferson Nascimento | 12-0-0 (4K0 3SUB) | 1 |
| LUX Fight League | November 1, 2024 |  Kazula Vargas | 16-6-0 (7KO 7SUB) | 0 |
| Oktagon MMA | January 31, 2026 | Mateusz Legierski | 13-2-0 (4KO 3SUB) | 0 |
| ONE Championship | August 26, 2022 | Christian Lee | 18-4-0 (1) (13KO 4SUB) | 1 |
| Pancrase | March 31, 2024 | Tatsuya Saika | 14-6-0 (13KO 0SUB) | 0 |
| PFL | October 3, 2025 | Usman Nurmagomedov | 21-0-0 (1) (8KO 7SUB) | 1 |
| RIZIN FF | December 31, 2025 |  Ilkhom Nozimov | 13-3-0 (7KO 3SUB) | 0 |
| Shooto | N/A |  Vacant[a] | N/A | N/A |
Women:
| Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewels | N/A | Vacant | N/A | N/A |
| Name | Promotion | Title bout wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gilbert Melendez | WEC,Strikeforce | 10(1 WEC, 9 Strikeforce) |
| 2. | Benson Henderson | WEC,UFC | 7(3 WEC, 4 UFC) |
| 3. | Islam Makhachev | UFC | 5 |
| 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 | UFC | 3 (+1)[b] | |
| Anthony Pettis | WEC, UFC | 3(1 WEC, 2 UFC) | |
| 6. | Sean Sherk | UFC | 2 |
| Rob McCullough | WEC | ||
| Rafael dos Anjos | UFC | ||
| Charles Oliveira | UFC |
| Name | Promotion | Consecutive 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 |
Media related toLightweight mixed martial artists at Wikimedia Commons