The octagon has come a bloody long way since 1993, hasn’t it? Back then, it was complete chaos – giants battering flyweights in a no-holds-barred circus. However, by 1997, sense prevailed. UFC 12 in Dothan, Alabama split things into heavyweight (200 pounds and up) and lightweight (199 and under). That night, Mark Coleman needed barely three minutes to choke out Dan Severn with a neck crank, becoming the promotion’s very first champion.
Now we’ve got 12 divisions – eight for the lads, four for the ladies – and every current UFC champions tells a story of violence and glory.
Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight UFC Champions
Tom Aspinall inherited the heavyweight throne when Jon Jones called it quits on 21 June 2025. No defences yet, but the Manchester powerhouse is ready to prove he’s the real deal.
Meanwhile, Alex Pereira snatched light heavyweight gold with a first-round demolition of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on 4 October 2025. ‘Poatan’ continues his rampage across weight classes.
Middleweight Through Bantamweight Champions
Khamzat Chimaev finally claimed middleweight supremacy, grinding out a decision over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 on 16 August 2025. The Chechen wolf’s patience paid off.
Furthermore, Islam Makhachev extended his lightweight reign by outclassing Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 on 15 November 2025. Dagestan’s finest remains untouchable.
Ilia Topuria knocked Charles Oliveira spark out in the first round at UFC 317 on 28 June 2025 to capture featherweight gold. The Georgian matador’s power is frightening, whilst Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed his featherweight throne by decisioning Diego Lopes at UFC 314 on 12 April 2025, then defended it once already.
In addition, Petr Yan dethroned Merab Dvalishvili via decision at UFC 323 on 6 December 2025 to become bantamweight king again. The Siberian pitbull is back where he belongs, while Joshua Van stunned the flyweight division by stopping Alexandre Pantoja in the first at UFC 323.
Consequently, the women’s divisions showcase equally impressive talent. Kayla Harrison submitted Julianna Peña in the second round at UFC 316 on 7 June 2025 for women’s bantamweight gold. The Olympic judoka’s ground game is lethal. Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed her flyweight crown by beating Alexa Grasso at UFC 306 on 14 September 2024, defending twice since. Mackenzie Dern rounds out the current UFC champions, taking strawweight gold from Virna Jandiroba via decision at UFC 321 on 25 October 2025.
Above all, twelve champions represent twelve different paths to glory. This is the modern UFC – where legends are forged and dreams get shattered in equal measure.
