The lightweight division in mixed martial arts contains different weight classes:
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 FlorianatUFC 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).
This table last updated in February 2023.
| Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC | October 22, 2022 |  Islam Makhachev
|
26-1 | 3 |
| Bellator MMA | November 18, 2022 | Usman Nurmagomedov
|
17-0 (1) | 1 |
| ONE Championship | August 26, 2022 |  Christian Lee
|
17-4 | 0 |
| Rizin FF | June 13, 2021 |  Roberto de Souza
|
15-3 | 2 |
| Oktagon MMA | December 9, 2023 |  Ronald "Rony" Paradiser
|
18-8 | 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
|
|||
| KSW | June 3, 2023 |  Salahdine Parnasse
|
18-1 | 0 |
| 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. | Michael Chandler |
Bellator | 5 |
| 4. | B.J. Penn |
UFC | 4 |
| Khabib Nurmagomedov |
UFC | ||
| Eddie Alvarez |
Bellator, UFC | 4(3 Bellator, 1 UFC) | |
| 5. | Jens Pulver |
UFC | 3 |
| Islam Makhachev |
UFC | ||
 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 | ||
| Usman Nurmagomedov
|
Bellator |
| Name | Promotion | Consecutive title defenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gilbert Melendez |
Strikeforce | 4 |
| 2. | B.J. Penn |
UFC | 3 |
| 3. | Khabib Nurmagomedov |
UFC | 3 |
| 4. | Islam Makhachev |
UFC | 3 |
Media related to Lightweight mixed martial artists at Wikimedia Commons