THE REF by Glass Jaw

UFC Heavyweight Championship

🇺🇸Ultimate Fighting Championship. The biggest promotion in the sport since its first night in Denver in 1993. Zuffa bought it in 2001, and it now sits under TKO Group.

EST. FEB 7, 1997 · 25 REIGNS · 43 TITLE FIGHTS · 20 CHAMPIONS

Born at UFC 12 in 1997, when tournament champion Mark Coleman met Superfight champion Dan Severn. Before that night, UFC belts had no weight.

Early title fights ran one 15 minute round plus overtime. The belt's first five round fight came at UFC 23 in 1999.

Eight times a champion lost this belt without losing a fight: stripped four times, vacated three times, retired once.

As of October 7, 2026, Ciryl Gane holds it. He was promoted from interim champion and has not defended it yet.

CHAMPION NOW · NO. 25🇫🇷Ciryl Gane"Bon Gamin"REIGNING SINCE SEP 19, 2026 · 18 DAYS0 DEFENSESAWARDED WITHOUT A FIGHTROLL OF CHAMPIONS ▶
MOST DEFENSES3Stipe MiocicNO. 19MOST REIGNS3Randy CoutureNO. 3, NO. 6, NO. 13LONGEST REIGN2 YRS 5 MOSCain VelasquezNO. 17SHORTEST REIGNABOUT 1 MORandy CoutureNO. 3

EVERY REIGN, BY DEFENSES

25 REIGNS · 43 TITLE FIGHTS · SINCE FEB 7, 1997
NO. 1 · Mark Coleman · FEB 7, 1997NO. 25 · Ciryl Gane · SEP 19, 2026

ROLL OF CHAMPIONS

Newest first. Open a reign for its defenses.

NO.NO. 25CHAMPION🇫🇷Ciryl Gane"Bon Gamin"WONSEP 19, 2026TOOK IT FROMAWARDEDHOWNO FIGHTDEFENSES0HELD18 DAYSENDEDREIGNING

HOW IT STARTED · SEP 19, 2026

AWARDED. Promoted from interim champion during the UFC 331 broadcast, five days after Aspinall gave up the belt.

REIGNING

Still the champion. The reign goes on.

  • One day before the promotion, Dana White said Gane would have to fight for the vacant belt. He then said he misspoke.
  • Booked to defend against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2026.

SOURCES: sports.yahoo.com, mmasucka.com, heavy.com

BELT VACANT · SEP 14, 2026Aspinall gave up the belt because ongoing complications from the UFC 321 eye pokes kept him from medical clearance.
NO.NO. 24CHAMPION🇬🇧Tom AspinallWONJUN 21, 2025TOOK IT FROMAWARDEDHOWNO FIGHTDEFENSES0HELD1 YR 2 MOSENDEDVACATED

HOW IT STARTED · JUN 21, 2025

AWARDED. Promoted from interim champion when Jon Jones retired.

HOW IT ENDED · SEP 14, 2026

VACATED.

  • His only title fight as champion, against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on October 25, 2025, ended in a no contest at 4:35 of round one after an accidental eye poke. No contests do not count as defenses.

SOURCES: cbssports.com, ufc.com

BELT VACANT · JUN 21, 2025Dana White announced that Jones had retired. Interim champion Tom Aspinall became undisputed champion the same day.
NO.NO. 23CHAMPION🇺🇸Jon Jones"Bones"WONMAR 4, 2023TOOK IT FROMCiryl Gane (VACANT BELT)HOWSUB R1 2:04DEFENSES1HELD2 YRS 3 MOSENDEDRETIRED

HOW IT STARTED · MAR 4, 2023

WON THE VACANT BELT OVER Ciryl GaneUFC 285: Jones vs. GaneUFCMAR 4, 2023SUB (guillotine choke) · R1 2:04

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Jones's heavyweight debut, after three years out.

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
NOV 16, 2024W🇺🇸Stipe MiocicTKO (spinning back kick and punches) · R3 4:29UFC 309: Jones vs. MiocicUFC

HOW IT ENDED · JUN 21, 2025

RETIRED.

  • Won the vacant belt in his heavyweight debut, in 2 minutes 4 seconds.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

BELT VACANT · JAN 14, 2023Ngannou's contract ran out and talks failed. The UFC released him and took the belt.
NO.NO. 22CHAMPION🇨🇲Francis Ngannou"The Predator"WONMAR 27, 2021TOOK IT FROMStipe MiocicHOWKO R2 0:52DEFENSES1HELD1 YR 9 MOSENDEDSTRIPPED

HOW IT STARTED · MAR 27, 2021

TOOK IT FROM Stipe MiocicUFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2UFCMAR 27, 2021KO (punch) · R2 0:52

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
JAN 22, 2022W🇫🇷Ciryl GaneDEC (unanimous)UFC 270: Ngannou vs. GaneUnification bout.UFC

HOW IT ENDED · JAN 14, 2023

STRIPPED.

  • Never fought in the UFC again after unifying the belt.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 21CHAMPION🇺🇸Stipe MiocicWONAUG 17, 2019TOOK IT FROMDaniel CormierHOWTKO R4 4:09DEFENSES1HELD1 YR 7 MOSENDEDLOST TO Francis Ngannou

HOW IT STARTED · AUG 17, 2019

TOOK IT FROM Daniel CormierUFC 241: Cormier vs. Miocic 2UFCAUG 17, 2019TKO (punches) · R4 4:09

Anaheim, California, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
AUG 15, 2020W🇺🇸Daniel CormierDEC (unanimous)UFC 252: Miocic vs. Cormier 3UFC

HOW IT ENDED · MAR 27, 2021

LOST TO Francis NgannouUFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2UFCMAR 27, 2021KO (punch) · R2 0:52

  • Won the trilogy with Cormier.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 20CHAMPION🇺🇸Daniel Cormier"DC"WONJUL 7, 2018TOOK IT FROMStipe MiocicHOWKO R1 4:33DEFENSES1HELD1 YR 1 MOENDEDLOST TO Stipe Miocic

HOW IT STARTED · JUL 7, 2018

TOOK IT FROM Stipe MiocicUFC 226: Miocic vs. CormierUFCJUL 7, 2018KO (punches) · R1 4:33

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
NOV 3, 2018W🇺🇸Derrick LewisSUB (rear-naked choke) · R2 2:14UFC 230: Cormier vs. LewisUFC

HOW IT ENDED · AUG 17, 2019

LOST TO Stipe MiocicUFC 241: Cormier vs. Miocic 2UFCAUG 17, 2019TKO (punches) · R4 4:09

  • Held the UFC light heavyweight belt at the same time.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 19CHAMPION🇺🇸Stipe MiocicWONMAY 14, 2016TOOK IT FROMFabricio WerdumHOWKO R1 2:47DEFENSES3HELD2 YRS 1 MOENDEDLOST TO Daniel Cormier

HOW IT STARTED · MAY 14, 2016

TOOK IT FROM Fabricio WerdumUFC 198: Werdum vs. MiocicUFCMAY 14, 2016KO (punch) · R1 2:47

Curitiba, Brazil

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
SEP 10, 2016W🇳🇱Alistair OvereemKO (punches) · R1 4:27UFC 203: Miocic vs. OvereemUFC
MAY 13, 2017W🇧🇷Junior dos SantosTKO (punches) · R1 2:22UFC 211: Miocic vs. dos Santos 2UFC
JAN 20, 2018W🇨🇲Francis NgannouDEC (unanimous)UFC 220: Miocic vs. NgannouUFC

HOW IT ENDED · JUL 7, 2018

LOST TO Daniel CormierUFC 226: Miocic vs. CormierUFCJUL 7, 2018KO (punches) · R1 4:33

  • Three straight defenses, the UFC heavyweight record.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 18CHAMPION🇧🇷Fabricio Werdum"Vai Cavalo"WONJUN 13, 2015TOOK IT FROMCain VelasquezHOWSUB R3 2:13DEFENSES0HELD11 MOSENDEDLOST TO Stipe Miocic

HOW IT STARTED · JUN 13, 2015

TOOK IT FROM Cain VelasquezUFC 188: Velasquez vs. WerdumUFCJUN 13, 2015SUB (guillotine choke) · R3 2:13

Mexico City, Mexico

Unification bout.

HOW IT ENDED · MAY 14, 2016

LOST TO Stipe MiocicUFC 198: Werdum vs. MiocicUFCMAY 14, 2016KO (punch) · R1 2:47

  • Unified the belt in Mexico City. Lost it in Brazil in his first defense.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 17CHAMPION🇺🇸Cain VelasquezWONDEC 29, 2012TOOK IT FROMJunior dos SantosHOWDEC (unanimous)DEFENSES2HELD2 YRS 5 MOSENDEDLOST TO Fabricio Werdum

HOW IT STARTED · DEC 29, 2012

TOOK IT FROM Junior dos SantosUFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2UFCDEC 29, 2012DEC (unanimous)

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
MAY 25, 2013W🇧🇷Antonio SilvaTKO (punches) · R1 1:21UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2UFC
OCT 19, 2013W🇧🇷Junior dos SantosTKO (slam and punch) · R5 3:09UFC 166: Velasquez vs. dos Santos 3UFC

HOW IT ENDED · JUN 13, 2015

LOST TO Fabricio WerdumUFC 188: Velasquez vs. WerdumUFCJUN 13, 2015SUB (guillotine choke) · R3 2:13

  • Won two of three fights with dos Santos.
  • Injuries kept him out from October 2013 to June 2015.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 16CHAMPION🇧🇷Junior dos Santos"Cigano"WONNOV 12, 2011TOOK IT FROMCain VelasquezHOWKO R1 1:04DEFENSES1HELD1 YR 1 MOENDEDLOST TO Cain Velasquez

HOW IT STARTED · NOV 12, 2011

TOOK IT FROM Cain VelasquezUFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos SantosUFCNOV 12, 2011KO (punches) · R1 1:04

Anaheim, California, USA

The UFC's first fight on American network television.

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
MAY 26, 2012W🇺🇸Frank MirTKO (punches) · R2 3:04UFC 146: dos Santos vs. MirUFC

HOW IT ENDED · DEC 29, 2012

LOST TO Cain VelasquezUFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2UFCDEC 29, 2012DEC (unanimous)

  • Won it in 64 seconds on the UFC's first network TV broadcast.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 15CHAMPION🇺🇸Cain VelasquezWONOCT 23, 2010TOOK IT FROMBrock LesnarHOWTKO R1 4:12DEFENSES0HELD1 YRENDEDLOST TO Junior dos Santos

HOW IT STARTED · OCT 23, 2010

TOOK IT FROM Brock LesnarUFC 121: Lesnar vs. VelasquezUFCOCT 23, 2010TKO (punches) · R1 4:12

Anaheim, California, USA

HOW IT ENDED · NOV 12, 2011

LOST TO Junior dos SantosUFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos SantosUFCNOV 12, 2011KO (punches) · R1 1:04

  • Hurt his shoulder winning the belt and never defended it.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 14CHAMPION🇺🇸Brock LesnarWONNOV 15, 2008TOOK IT FROMRandy CoutureHOWTKO R2 3:07DEFENSES2HELD1 YR 11 MOSENDEDLOST TO Cain Velasquez

HOW IT STARTED · NOV 15, 2008

TOOK IT FROM Randy CoutureUFC 91: Couture vs. LesnarUFCNOV 15, 2008TKO (punches) · R2 3:07

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
JUL 11, 2009W🇺🇸Frank MirTKO (punches) · R2 1:48UFC 100Unification bout.UFC
JUL 3, 2010W🇺🇸Shane CarwinSUB (arm-triangle choke) · R2 2:19UFC 116: Lesnar vs. CarwinUnification bout. Lesnar survived a battering in round one.UFC

HOW IT ENDED · OCT 23, 2010

LOST TO Cain VelasquezUFC 121: Lesnar vs. VelasquezUFCOCT 23, 2010TKO (punches) · R1 4:12

  • Won the belt in his fourth professional fight.
  • Both defenses unified an interim belt.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 13CHAMPION🇺🇸Randy Couture"The Natural"WONMAR 3, 2007TOOK IT FROMTim SylviaHOWDEC (unanimous)DEFENSES1HELD1 YR 8 MOSENDEDLOST TO Brock Lesnar

HOW IT STARTED · MAR 3, 2007

TOOK IT FROM Tim SylviaUFC 68: The UprisingUFCMAR 3, 2007DEC (unanimous)

Columbus, Ohio, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
AUG 25, 2007W🇧🇷Gabriel GonzagaTKO (punches) · R3 1:37UFC 74: RespectUFC

HOW IT ENDED · NOV 15, 2008

LOST TO Brock LesnarUFC 91: Couture vs. LesnarUFCNOV 15, 2008TKO (punches) · R2 3:07

  • Came out of retirement at 43 to win the belt a third time. No one else has three UFC heavyweight reigns.
  • Quit the UFC over pay in October 2007. The UFC kept him as champion, made an interim belt, and he came back to fight Lesnar.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 12CHAMPION🇺🇸Tim Sylvia"The Maine-iac"WONAPR 15, 2006TOOK IT FROMAndrei ArlovskiHOWTKO R1 2:43DEFENSES2HELD10 MOSENDEDLOST TO Randy Couture

HOW IT STARTED · APR 15, 2006

TOOK IT FROM Andrei ArlovskiUFC 59: Reality CheckUFCAPR 15, 2006TKO (punches) · R1 2:43

Anaheim, California, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
JUL 8, 2006W🇧🇾Andrei ArlovskiDEC (unanimous)UFC 61: Bitter RivalsUFC
NOV 18, 2006W🇺🇸Jeff MonsonDEC (unanimous)UFC 65: Bad IntentionsUFC

HOW IT ENDED · MAR 3, 2007

LOST TO Randy CoutureUFC 68: The UprisingUFCMAR 3, 2007DEC (unanimous)

  • Beat Arlovski twice in three months to win it back and keep it.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 11CHAMPION🇧🇾Andrei Arlovski"The Pit Bull"WONAUG 12, 2005TOOK IT FROMAWARDEDHOWNO FIGHTDEFENSES1HELD8 MOSENDEDLOST TO Tim Sylvia

HOW IT STARTED · AUG 12, 2005

AWARDED. Promoted from interim champion when the UFC stripped Frank Mir.

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
OCT 7, 2005W🇺🇸Paul BuentelloKO (punch) · R1 0:15UFC 55: FuryUFC

HOW IT ENDED · APR 15, 2006

LOST TO Tim SylviaUFC 59: Reality CheckUFCAPR 15, 2006TKO (punches) · R1 2:43

  • His only undisputed defense took 15 seconds.

SOURCES: sherdog.com, en.wikipedia.org

BELT VACANT · AUG 12, 2005A car knocked Mir off his motorcycle on September 17, 2004. When he could not make an October 2005 date, the UFC stripped him and promoted interim champion Arlovski.
NO.NO. 10CHAMPION🇺🇸Frank MirWONJUN 19, 2004TOOK IT FROMTim Sylvia (VACANT BELT)HOWSUB R1 0:50DEFENSES0HELD1 YR 1 MOENDEDSTRIPPED

HOW IT STARTED · JUN 19, 2004

WON THE VACANT BELT OVER Tim SylviaUFC 48: PaybackUFCJUN 19, 2004SUB (armbar (technical submission, broken forearm)) · R1 0:50

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

HOW IT ENDED · AUG 12, 2005

STRIPPED.

  • Broke Sylvia's forearm with an armbar in 50 seconds.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

BELT VACANT · OCT 15, 2003Sylvia tested positive for stanozolol after UFC 44 and gave up the belt at his Nevada commission hearing.
NO.NO. 9CHAMPION🇺🇸Tim Sylvia"The Maine-iac"WONFEB 28, 2003TOOK IT FROMRicco RodriguezHOWTKO R1 3:09DEFENSES1HELD7 MOSENDEDVACATED

HOW IT STARTED · FEB 28, 2003

TOOK IT FROM Ricco RodriguezUFC 41: OnslaughtUFCFEB 28, 2003TKO (punches) · R1 3:09

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
SEP 26, 2003W🇺🇸Gan McGeeTKO (punches) · R1 1:54UFC 44: UndisputedUFC

HOW IT ENDED · OCT 15, 2003

VACATED.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 8CHAMPION🇺🇸Ricco Rodriguez"Suave"WONSEP 27, 2002TOOK IT FROMRandy Couture (VACANT BELT)HOWTKO R5 3:04DEFENSES0HELD5 MOSENDEDLOST TO Tim Sylvia

HOW IT STARTED · SEP 27, 2002

WON THE VACANT BELT OVER Randy CoutureUFC 39: The Warriors ReturnUFCSEP 27, 2002TKO (submission to elbows) · R5 3:04

Uncasville, Connecticut, USA

The first UFC fight stopped in the fifth round.

HOW IT ENDED · FEB 28, 2003

LOST TO Tim SylviaUFC 41: OnslaughtUFCFEB 28, 2003TKO (punches) · R1 3:09

  • Broke Couture's orbital bone with an elbow in round five.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

BELT VACANT · JUL 26, 2002Barnett tested positive for anabolic steroids after UFC 36. The UFC took the belt and cut him.
NO.NO. 7CHAMPION🇺🇸Josh Barnett"The Warmaster"WONMAR 22, 2002TOOK IT FROMRandy CoutureHOWTKO R2 4:35DEFENSES0HELD4 MOSENDEDSTRIPPED

HOW IT STARTED · MAR 22, 2002

TOOK IT FROM Randy CoutureUFC 36: Worlds CollideUFCMAR 22, 2002TKO (punches) · R2 4:35

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

HOW IT ENDED · JUL 26, 2002

STRIPPED.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 6CHAMPION🇺🇸Randy Couture"The Natural"WONNOV 17, 2000TOOK IT FROMKevin RandlemanHOWTKO R3 4:13DEFENSES2HELD1 YR 4 MOSENDEDLOST TO Josh Barnett

HOW IT STARTED · NOV 17, 2000

TOOK IT FROM Kevin RandlemanUFC 28: High StakesUFCNOV 17, 2000TKO (punches) · R3 4:13

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
MAY 4, 2001W🇧🇷Pedro RizzoDEC (unanimous)UFC 31: Locked and LoadedUFC
NOV 2, 2001W🇧🇷Pedro RizzoTKO (punches) · R3 1:38UFC 34: High VoltageTime per Sherdog and both fighters' records. The UFC 34 event page says 3:38 and UFCStats says 3:22.UFC

HOW IT ENDED · MAR 22, 2002

LOST TO Josh BarnettUFC 36: Worlds CollideUFCMAR 22, 2002TKO (punches) · R2 4:35

  • Both defenses came against Pedro Rizzo. The first was close enough that the UFC booked an immediate rematch.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 5CHAMPION🇺🇸Kevin Randleman"The Monster"WONNOV 19, 1999TOOK IT FROMPete Williams (VACANT BELT)HOWDEC (unanimous)DEFENSES1HELD11 MOSENDEDLOST TO Randy Couture

HOW IT STARTED · NOV 19, 1999

WON THE VACANT BELT OVER Pete WilliamsUFC 23: Ultimate Japan 2UFCNOV 19, 1999DEC (unanimous)

Urayasu, Chiba, Japan

The first heavyweight title fight scheduled for five 5 minute rounds.

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
JUN 9, 2000W🇧🇷Pedro RizzoDEC (unanimous)UFC 26: Ultimate Field of DreamsUFC

HOW IT ENDED · NOV 17, 2000

LOST TO Randy CoutureUFC 28: High StakesUFCNOV 17, 2000TKO (punches) · R3 4:13

  • Won the vacant belt in Japan.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

BELT VACANT · JUN 1999Rutten gave up the belt to drop a weight class. Injuries kept him out of the UFC for good. Sources date it only to June 1999.
NO.NO. 4CHAMPION🇳🇱Bas Rutten"El Guapo"WONMAY 7, 1999TOOK IT FROMKevin Randleman (VACANT BELT)HOWDEC (split)DEFENSES0HELDABOUT 1 MOENDEDVACATED

HOW IT STARTED · MAY 7, 1999

WON THE VACANT BELT OVER Kevin RandlemanUFC 20: Battle for the GoldUFCMAY 7, 1999DEC (split)

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Final of the four event Road to the Heavyweight Title. One 15 minute round plus two 3 minute overtimes. Round and time follow UFCStats (the third period); Sherdog and Wikipedia write R1 21:00.

HOW IT ENDED · JUN 1999

VACATED.

  • Won the vacant belt on a split decision after 21 minutes.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

BELT VACANT · JAN 1998Couture left the UFC in a contract dispute instead of defending against Bas Rutten. Sources date it only to January 1998, and UFC.com calls it vacated.
NO.NO. 3CHAMPION🇺🇸Randy Couture"The Natural"WONDEC 21, 1997TOOK IT FROMMaurice SmithHOWDEC (majority)DEFENSES0HELDABOUT 1 MOENDEDSTRIPPED

HOW IT STARTED · DEC 21, 1997

TOOK IT FROM Maurice SmithUFC Japan: Ultimate JapanUFCDEC 21, 1997DEC (majority)

Yokohama, Japan

One 15 minute round plus two 3 minute overtimes. Round and time follow UFCStats (the third period); Sherdog and Wikipedia write R1 21:00.

HOW IT ENDED · JAN 1998

STRIPPED.

  • He fought in Vale Tudo Japan that October instead and lost to Enson Inoue by armbar.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 2CHAMPION🇺🇸Maurice Smith"Mo"WONJUL 27, 1997TOOK IT FROMMark ColemanHOWDEC (unanimous)DEFENSES1HELD4 MOSENDEDLOST TO Randy Couture

HOW IT STARTED · JUL 27, 1997

TOOK IT FROM Mark ColemanUFC 14: ShowdownUFCJUL 27, 1997DEC (unanimous)

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

One 15 minute round plus two 3 minute overtimes. Round and time follow UFCStats (the third period); Sherdog and Wikipedia write R1 21:00.

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
OCT 17, 1997W🇺🇸Tank AbbottSUB (leg kicks) · R1 8:08UFC 15: Collision CourseAbbott tapped out to the leg kicks. UFCStats and UFC.com call it a submission; Sherdog and Wikipedia score it a TKO.UFC

HOW IT ENDED · DEC 21, 1997

LOST TO Randy CoutureUFC Japan: Ultimate JapanUFCDEC 21, 1997DEC (majority)

  • A kickboxer outlasted the wrestler who had steamrolled two tournaments.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

NO.NO. 1CHAMPION🇺🇸Mark Coleman"The Hammer"WONFEB 7, 1997TOOK IT FROMDan Severn (NEW BELT)HOWSUB R1 2:57DEFENSES0HELD5 MOSENDEDLOST TO Maurice Smith

HOW IT STARTED · FEB 7, 1997

WON THE NEW BELT OVER Dan SevernUFC 12: Judgement DayUFCFEB 7, 1997SUB (neck crank from scarf hold) · R1 2:57

Dothan, Alabama, USA

Tournament champion Coleman met Superfight champion Severn to crown the first UFC heavyweight champion.

HOW IT ENDED · JUL 27, 1997

LOST TO Maurice SmithUFC 14: ShowdownUFCJUL 27, 1997DEC (unanimous)

  • The first UFC heavyweight champion. Lost it in his first defense.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

INTERIM BELTS

Stand-in belts, kept apart from the numbered reigns.

INTERIM CHAMPION🇫🇷Ciryl Gane"Bon Gamin"WONJUN 14, 2026BEATAlex PereiraHOWTKO R2 1:27DEFENSES0ENDEDPROMOTED TO CHAMPION

HOW IT STARTED · JUN 14, 2026

UFC Freedom 250UFCJUN 14, 2026TKO (punches) · R2 1:27

HOW IT ENDED · SEP 19, 2026

PROMOTED TO CHAMPION. Aspinall vacated on September 14, 2026 and the UFC promoted Gane five days later.

  • Created while champion Tom Aspinall's eyes kept him out. Gane stopped a former two division UFC champion.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

INTERIM CHAMPION🇬🇧Tom AspinallWONNOV 11, 2023BEATSergei PavlovichHOWKO R1 1:09DEFENSES1ENDEDPROMOTED TO CHAMPION

HOW IT STARTED · NOV 11, 2023

UFC 295: Procházka vs. PereiraUFCNOV 11, 2023KO (punches) · R1 1:09

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
JUL 27, 2024W🇺🇸Curtis BlaydesKO (punches) · R1 1:00UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2UFC

HOW IT ENDED · JUN 21, 2025

PROMOTED TO CHAMPION. Jon Jones retired and the UFC made Aspinall undisputed champion.

  • Created when champion Jon Jones tore a pectoral tendon. Jones never fought him.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

INTERIM CHAMPION🇫🇷Ciryl Gane"Bon Gamin"WONAUG 7, 2021BEATDerrick LewisHOWTKO R3 4:11DEFENSES0ENDEDLOST TO Francis Ngannou

HOW IT STARTED · AUG 7, 2021

UFC 265: Lewis vs. GaneUFCAUG 7, 2021TKO (punches) · R3 4:11

HOW IT ENDED · JAN 22, 2022

LOST TO Francis NgannouUFC 270: Ngannou vs. GaneUFCJAN 22, 2022DEC (unanimous)

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

INTERIM CHAMPION🇧🇷Fabricio Werdum"Vai Cavalo"WONNOV 15, 2014BEATMark HuntHOWTKO R2 2:27DEFENSES0ENDEDUNIFIED: Cain Velasquez

HOW IT STARTED · NOV 15, 2014

UFC 180: Werdum vs. HuntUFCNOV 15, 2014TKO (flying knee and punches) · R2 2:27

HOW IT ENDED · JUN 13, 2015

UNIFIED: Cain VelasquezUFC 188: Velasquez vs. WerdumUFCJUN 13, 2015SUB (guillotine choke) · R3 2:13

  • Created when champion Cain Velasquez pulled out of UFC 180 injured.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

INTERIM CHAMPION🇺🇸Shane CarwinWONMAR 27, 2010BEATFrank MirHOWKO R1 3:48DEFENSES0ENDEDLOST TO Brock Lesnar

HOW IT STARTED · MAR 27, 2010

UFC 111: St-Pierre vs. HardyUFCMAR 27, 2010KO (punches) · R1 3:48

HOW IT ENDED · JUL 3, 2010

LOST TO Brock LesnarUFC 116: Lesnar vs. CarwinUFCJUL 3, 2010SUB (arm-triangle choke) · R2 2:19

  • Created while champion Brock Lesnar was out with diverticulitis.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

INTERIM CHAMPION🇺🇸Frank MirWONDEC 27, 2008BEATAntonio Rodrigo NogueiraHOWTKO R2 1:54DEFENSES0ENDEDLOST TO Brock Lesnar

HOW IT STARTED · DEC 27, 2008

UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008UFCDEC 27, 2008TKO (punches) · R2 1:54

HOW IT ENDED · JUL 11, 2009

LOST TO Brock LesnarUFC 100UFCJUL 11, 2009TKO (punches) · R2 1:48

  • Mir had submitted Lesnar in 2008. Lesnar evened it at UFC 100.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

INTERIM CHAMPION🇧🇷Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira"Minotauro"WONFEB 2, 2008BEATTim SylviaHOWSUB R3 1:28DEFENSES0ENDEDLOST TO Frank Mir

HOW IT STARTED · FEB 2, 2008

UFC 81: Breaking PointUFCFEB 2, 2008SUB (guillotine choke) · R3 1:28

HOW IT ENDED · DEC 27, 2008

LOST TO Frank MirUFC 92: The Ultimate 2008UFCDEC 27, 2008TKO (punches) · R2 1:54

  • Created while champion Randy Couture was away in a pay dispute. Nogueira was a former Pride heavyweight champion.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

INTERIM CHAMPION🇧🇾Andrei Arlovski"The Pit Bull"WONFEB 5, 2005BEATTim SylviaHOWSUB R1 0:47DEFENSES1ENDEDPROMOTED TO CHAMPION

HOW IT STARTED · FEB 5, 2005

UFC 51: Super SaturdayUFCFEB 5, 2005SUB (achilles lock) · R1 0:47

THE DEFENSES

DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
JUN 4, 2005W🇺🇸Justin EilersTKO (punches) · R1 4:10UFC 53: Heavy HittersEilers hurt his knee during the finish.UFC

HOW IT ENDED · AUG 12, 2005

PROMOTED TO CHAMPION. The UFC stripped Frank Mir and made Arlovski undisputed champion.

  • Created while champion Frank Mir recovered from a motorcycle crash.

SOURCES: en.wikipedia.org, ufcstats.com, sherdog.com

WHERE THE BELT WENT

The belt is still in play. The UFC still promotes fights.

Follow the belt through the line ▶

SOURCES

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EVERY BELT IN THE DIVISION