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).
This table last updated in June 2025.
| Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC | June 28, 2025 |  Ilia Topuria | 17-0 | 0 |
| PFL | October 3, 2025 |  Usman Nurmagomedov | 20-0 (1) | 0 |
| ONE Championship | August 26, 2022 |  Christian Lee | 17-4 | 0 |
| Rizin FF | June 13, 2021 |  Roberto de Souza | 20-3 | 5 |
| KSW | June 3, 2023 |  Salahdine Parnasse | 21-2 | 3 |
| Oktagon MMA | December 29, 2024 |  Losene Keita | 16-1 | 0 |
| ACA | September 19, 2020 | Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov | 19-2 | 1 |
| Cage Warriors | July 22, 2022 |  George Hardwick | 12-1 | 2 |
| Fight Nights Global |  Vacant | |||
| Road FC | July 23, 2022 |  Si Won Park | 8-0 | 1 |
| Titan FC | Vacant | |||
| Legacy Fighting Alliance | May 19, 2023 | JaCobi Jones | 6-1 | 0 |
| 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 (+1a) | |
| 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