Championship Lineages · FightFinder

Sean StricklandCurrent

Took the belt from Khamzat Chimaev

UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland•May 9, 2026

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defenses

Khamzat Chimaev

Took the belt from Dricus Du Plessis

UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev•Aug 16, 2025

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defenses

Dricus Du Plessis

Took the belt from Sean Strickland

UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis•Jan 20, 2024

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defenses

2 successful defenses

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya

vs. Israel Adesanya · Aug 17, 2024

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UFC 312: Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2

vs. Sean Strickland · Feb 8, 2025

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Sean StricklandCurrent

Took the belt from Israel Adesanya

UFC 293: Adesanya vs. Strickland•Sep 9, 2023

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defenses

Israel Adesanya

Took the belt from Alex Pereira

UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya 2•Apr 9, 2023

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defenses

Alex Pereira

Took the belt from Israel Adesanya

UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira•Nov 12, 2022

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defenses

Israel Adesanya

Won the next title bout against Robert Whittaker

UFC 243: Whittaker vs. Adesanya•Oct 6, 2019

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defenses

5 successful defenses

UFC 248: Adesanya vs. Romero

vs. Yoel Romero · Mar 8, 2020

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UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa

vs. Paulo Costa · Sep 26, 2020

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UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori 2

vs. Marvin Vettori · Jun 12, 2021

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UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2

vs. Robert Whittaker · Feb 12, 2022

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UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier

vs. Jared Cannonier · Jul 2, 2022

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Israel AdesanyaInterim

Won the interim title against Kelvin Gastelum

UFC 236: Holloway vs. Poirier 2•Apr 14, 2019

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defenses

Yoel RomeroInterim

Won the interim title against Luke Rockhold

UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold•Feb 11, 2018

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defenses

Georges St-Pierre

Took the belt from Michael Bisping

UFC 217: Bisping vs. St-Pierre•Nov 5, 2017

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defenses

Robert WhittakerInterim

Won the interim title against Yoel Romero

UFC 213: Romero vs. Whittaker•Jul 9, 2017

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defenses

Michael Bisping

Took the belt from Luke Rockhold

UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2•Jun 5, 2016

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defenses

1 successful defense

UFC 204: Bisping vs. Henderson

vs. Dan Henderson · Oct 9, 2016

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Luke Rockhold

Took the belt from Chris Weidman

UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor•Dec 13, 2015

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defenses

Chris Weidman

Took the belt from Anderson Silva

UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman•Jul 7, 2013

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defenses

3 successful defenses

UFC 168

vs. Anderson Silva · Dec 29, 2013

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UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida

vs. Lyoto Machida · Feb 21, 2014

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UFC 187: Johnson vs Cormier

vs. Vitor Belfort · May 24, 2015

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Anderson Silva

Took the belt from Rich Franklin

UFC 64•Oct 15, 2006

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defenses

10 successful defenses

UFC 73

vs. Nate Marquardt · Jul 8, 2007

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UFC 77

vs. Rich Franklin · Oct 21, 2007

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UFC 82

vs. Dan Henderson · Mar 2, 2008

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UFC 90

vs. Patrick Cote · Oct 26, 2008

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UFC 97

vs. Thales Leites · Apr 19, 2009

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UFC 112

vs. Demian Maia · Apr 11, 2010

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UFC 117

vs. Chael Sonnen · Aug 8, 2010

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UFC 126

vs. Vitor Belfort · Feb 6, 2011

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UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami

vs. Yushin Okami · Aug 28, 2011

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UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen 2

vs. Chael Sonnen · Jul 8, 2012

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Rich Franklin

Took the belt from Evan Tanner

UFC 53: Heavy Hitters•Jun 5, 2005

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defenses

2 successful defenses

UFC 56

vs. Nate Quarry · Nov 20, 2005

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UFC 58

vs. David Loiseau · Mar 5, 2006

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Evan Tanner

Won the next title bout against David Terrell

UFC 51: Super Saturday•Feb 6, 2005

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defenses

Murilo Bustamante

Took the belt from Dave Menne

UFC 35•Jan 12, 2002

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defenses

1 successful defense

UFC 37: High Impact

vs. Matt Lindland · May 11, 2002

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Dave Menne

Earliest recorded title win, against Gil Castillo

UFC 33•Sep 29, 2001

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defenses

Championships

Middleweight