Last updated: September 14, 2026. Here are the current UFC champions in every division, men’s and women’s, kept current as belts change hands. The big story right now is at heavyweight, where the title is vacant after Tom Aspinall stepped aside and Ciryl Gane sits as interim champion. Full list below, plus what is happening at the top of the heavyweight division.
Current UFC Champions (Men)
| Division | Limit | Champion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | 265 lb / 120 kg | Vacant | Ciryl Gane holds the interim title and is expected to be elevated |
| Light Heavyweight | 205 lb / 93 kg | Carlos Ulberg | |
| Middleweight | 185 lb / 84 kg | Sean Strickland | def. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 |
| Welterweight | 170 lb / 77 kg | Islam Makhachev | |
| Lightweight | 155 lb / 70 kg | Justin Gaethje | |
| Featherweight | 145 lb / 66 kg | Alexander Volkanovski | |
| Bantamweight | 135 lb / 61 kg | Petr Yan | |
| Flyweight | 125 lb / 57 kg | Joshua Van |
Current UFC Champions (Women)
| Division | Limit | Champion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bantamweight | 135 lb / 61 kg | Kayla Harrison | |
| Flyweight | 125 lb / 57 kg | Valentina Shevchenko | |
| Strawweight | 115 lb / 52 kg | Mackenzie Dern |
The women’s featherweight division has been inactive since 2023 and currently has no champion.
The Heavyweight Situation
Heavyweight is the division to watch. Tom Aspinall vacated the undisputed title after his bout with Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest, the result of an accidental eye poke, leaving him unable to continue his reign. Gane, who claimed the interim belt by beating Alex Pereira, is now the man in possession and is widely expected to be promoted from interim to undisputed champion. It continues a turbulent run at the top of the division: since early 2023 the heavyweight crown has repeatedly changed hands through vacancies rather than clean title fights.
How the UFC Weight Classes Work
The UFC crowns a champion in eight men’s divisions from flyweight (125 pounds) up to heavyweight (265 pounds), and in three active women’s divisions: strawweight (115), flyweight (125) and bantamweight (135). A champion defends the belt against the top contender, and an interim title is created when the champion is sidelined so the division keeps moving; the interim champion typically unifies the belt by beating the returning champion, or is promoted if that champion vacates.
More UFC and Combat Resources
Making picks for the next card? Grab our UFC 331 printable prediction sheet and fill out the full fight card before the fights.
UFC Champions FAQ
Who is the UFC heavyweight champion right now? The undisputed title is vacant after Tom Aspinall stepped aside. Ciryl Gane holds the interim heavyweight title and is expected to be elevated to undisputed champion.
How many UFC champions are there? There are eight men’s divisions and three active women’s divisions, so up to eleven champions at once, though a belt can be vacant, as heavyweight is now.
