The welterweight division in mixed martial arts contains different weight classes:

  • The UFC's welterweight division, which groups competitors within 156 to 170 lb (71 to 77 kg)
  • The ONE Championship's welterweight division, with upper limit at 83.9 kg (185.0 lb)

Ambiguity and clarification

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Many other sports that use the welterweight class, such as boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, define it as below about 147 lb (67 kg). The MMA welterweight class is therefore significantly heavier than the welterweight class of these other sports. For the sake of uniformity, many American mixed martial arts websites refer to competitors between 156 and 170 lb (71 and 77 kg) as welterweights. This encompasses the Shooto middleweight division (167 lb / 76 kg).

The welterweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission[1] and the Association of Boxing Commissions[2] is 170 lb (77kg).

Professional Champions

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Current champions

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This table is not always up to date. Last updated March 19, 2023.

Organization Reign began Champion Record Defenses
UFC July 27, 2024   Belal Muhammad 24–3 (5KO 1SUB) 0
Bellator MMA June 22, 2024   Ramazan Kuramagomedov 13–0 (2KO 6SUB) 0
ONE Championship November 19, 2022   Christian Lee 17–4 (12KO 4SUB) 0
Fight Nights Global April 6, 2019   Dmitry Bikrev 12–3 (8KO 1SUB) 2
KSW April 22, 2023   Adrian Bartosiński 14–0 (11KO 1SUB) 0
Titan FC March 15, 2019   Michael Graves 9–1 (4KO 2SUB) 1
ACA February 26, 2021   Abubakar Vagaev 20–3 (4KO 1SUB) 0
Legacy Fighting Alliance TBA vacant TBA 0
Cage Warriors TBA vacant TBA 0

Most wins in Welterweight title bouts

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Note: the list includes wins in bouts for welterweight titles of major promotions (UFC, Strikeforce, WEC, Bellator)
Note: the list includes both undisputed and interim champions
  Active title reign
Name Promotion Title bout wins
1.   Georges St-Pierre UFC 12
2.   Matt Hughes UFC 9
3.   Pat Miletich UFC 5
  Ben Askren Bellator 5
  Nick Diaz WEC, Strikeforce 5 (1 WEC, 4 Strikeforce)
  Carlos Condit WEC, UFC 5 (4 WEC, 1 UFC)
  Kamaru Usman UFC 5
4.   Tyron Woodley UFC 4(+1a)
5.   Douglas Lima Bellator 3
  Robbie Lawler UFC

See also

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Notes

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a.^ Fight was recorded as a "Majority Decision Draw". Woodley retained his title.

References

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  1. ^ "Nevada Revised Statutes: Chapter 467 - Unarmed Combat". www.leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
  2. ^ "Unified Rules of MMA". Association of Boxing Commissions. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-15.