Current UFC welterweight champion

Home to some of the greatest fighters ever to step into the cage, the UFC welterweight division has long been one of the most talent-stacked in the promotion.

Initially named the lightweight championship, the title was first contested all the way back in 1998 when Pat Miletich defeated Mikey Burnett at the inaugural UFC Brazil event to become the first fighter to hold the belt at 170lbs.

Throughout its history the title's lineage has been defined by multiple extended reigns, with Miletich being followed by the likes of Matt Hughes, Georges St-Pierre, Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman in defending on multiple occasions.

Current UFC welterweight champion

Islam Makhachev is the reigning UFC welterweight champion. After moving up to 170lbs the submission specialist defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to become a two-weight world champion, joining a select group of fighters to have achieved the feat in the process.

Throughout his MMA career Makhachev has rarely even been challenged inside the Octagon, with a KO loss to Adriano Martins back in 2015 the only blemish on his 29-fight professional record.

After showing early promise in freestyle wrestling and the Russian martial art sambo during his youth, Makhachev began training alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov under Khabib's father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

Since arriving in the UFC in 2015 Makhachev has amassed one of the most impressive resumes in the history of MMA, with wins over the likes of Alexander Volkanovski, Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier.

With a number of talented contenders at 170lbs, Makhachev will have a number of fascinating matchups awaiting him in the years to come.

Title Won	Defeated Jack Della Maddalena (UD) - November 2025
Title Defences	0

Previous UFC welterweight champions

• Pat Miletich (October 1998 - May 2001; four defences)

• Carlos Newton (May 2001 - November 2001)

• Matt Hughes (November 2001 - January 2004; five defences)

• BJ Penn (January 2004 - May 2004; stripped)

• Matt Hughes (October 2004 - November 2006; two defences)

• Georges St-Pierre (November 2006 - April 2007)

• Matt Serra (April 2007 - April 2008)

• Georges St-Pierre (December 2007 - April 2008; interim)

• Georges St-Pierre (April 2008 - December 2013; nine defences, vacated)

• Carlos Condit (February 2012 - November 2012; interim)

• Johny Hendricks (March 2014 - December 2014)

• Robbie Lawler (December 2014 - July 2016; two defences)

• Tyron Woodley (July 2016 - March 2019; four defences)

• Colby Covington (June 2018 - September 2018; interim, stripped)

• Kamaru Usman (March 2019 - August 2022; five defences)

• Leon Edwards (August 2022 - July 2024; two defences)

• Belal Muhammad (July 2024 - May 2025)

• Jack Della Maddalena (May 2025 - November 2025)

UFC Welterweight Title: History and Lineage