Current UFC featherweight champion

Adrian Bishop Updated: 15 Jan 26 15:50

Introduced following the UFC-WEC merger in 2010, the UFC featherweight title has been held by some of the most legendary fighters in the sport.

As the incumbent WEC champion Jose Aldo was awarded the inaugural title in November 2010 and went on to make seven defences over the course of a five-year reign.

In the years that followed the Brazilian would reclaim his belt after losing it to Conor McGregor, before Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski both had extended runs as champion of the 145lbs division.

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Current UFC featherweight champion

Alexander Volkanovski is the current UFC featherweight title holder, having defeated Diego Lopes at UFC 314 to reclaim the vacant belt following Ilia Topuria's move up to 155lbs.

A former semi-professional rugby league player in his native Australia, Volkanovski didn't even start training MMA until his early 20s - having initially started practicing the sport as means to keep fit while not on the pitch.

Starting his career at welterweight, Volkanovski would gradually slim down as he made waves on the regional scene before making his UFC debut in 2016.

After settling into the 145lbs division the 37-year-old proved unstoppable, recording a 12-fight unbeaten run whilst capturing the featherweight title for the first time.

A pair of losses to pound-for-pound great Islam Makhachev followed as he attempted to add a second belt to his collection, but despite subsequently being KO'd by Topuria to end his unbeaten run at featherweight, Volk dusted himself off and reclaimed his title in April 2025.