Current UFC women's strawweight champion

Adrian Bishop Updated: 21 Jan 26 11:01

The lightest weight class in the UFC, the women's strawweight division was first announced in 2013, with a champion crowned at the end of The Ultimate Fighter 20.

At the finale Carla Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas to become the inaugural champion, but her first run with the belt would last just 92 days as she was later dethroned by Joanna Jedrzejczyk who went on to hold the title for more than two years.

In the years since the division has been reigned over by some of the most notable female fighters ever to grace the Octagon, with Weili Zhang coming closest to matching Jedrzejczyk's record over five title defences.

Current UFC women's strawweight champion

After Weili Zhang vacated her title to move up to 125lbs in search of two-division supremacy, Mackenzie Dern defeated Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 to become the sixth woman to hold the belt.

Dern transitioned into mixed martial arts following a hugely-successful competitive career in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in which she won major honours in both gi and no-gi.

During the early part of her career Dern struggled with weight issues and missed the 116lb limit on three occasions before settling into the weight class and becoming one of the top contenders.

Since then Dern has claimed wins over the likes of Tecia Torres, Angel Hill and Amanda Ribas and has earned a reputation as one of the most prolific submission artists in UFC history.