Top 15 UFC Welterweight Champions

The UFC welterweight division has been home to many of Mixed Martial Arts elite fighters over the years, and it remains one of the hotbeds for talent in the sport today.

Here we look at the top 15 champions in the UFC's welterweight class and some of their most notable victories. 

15. Renzo Gracie 

Image for Renzo Gracie//Getty

Despite never winning the belt, Renzo Gracie was one of the pioneers of MMA and he helped the sport of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu go mainstream in the late 20th century.

Gracie defeated notable names such as Frank Shamrock as he contended to be the welterweight champion.

14. Maurice Smith 

Image for Maurice Smith//Getty

Maurice Smith became the UFC welterweight champion (formerly middleweight) through his excellent kickboxing skills. In a division that was early known for grappling prowess, Smith brought a breath of fresh air to the weight class and he caused an upset when he beat Mark Coleman to lift the title.

13. Dave Menne

Image for Dave Menne//Getty

Dave Menne was deemed an important figure through the teething stage of the UFC because he was involved in many exciting bouts. He won the welterweight title (formerly middleweight) and he was also the first ever UFC middleweight champion.

12. Colby Covington 

Image for Joe Rogan interviewing Colby Covington//Getty

Colby Covington has never won the full version of the belt, but he has held the UFC interim welterweight title, after beating several top fighters such as Demian Maia, Rafael Dos Annos and Tyron Woodley.

Covington is known for having some of the best cardio the organisation has ever seen.

11. Randy Couture 

Image for Randy Couture//Getty

Randy Couture is one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history, and due to his excellent stints at light-heavyweight and heavyweight, many forget about Couture being a middleweight champion (which later became the welterweight division), albeit for a short time.

10. Leon Edwards 

Image for Leon Edwards//Getty

Leon “Rocky” Edwards became only the second fighter from the UK to win a UFC title, after Michael Bisping, and he did this in the most dramatic of fashions. At UFC 278 Edwards was down on the scorecards until he pulled out one of the cleanest head kick knockouts in UFC history to win the welterweight title.

Edwards would later defeat Usman again to retain his title. He most recently fought against Belal Muhammad, with the United Arab Emirates fighter stealing the belt off the Birmingham based man.

9. Johnny Hendricks

Image for Johnny Hendricks//Getty

Johnny Hendricks was known for his knockout power in both hands. Hendricks defeated the likes of Carlos Condit and Robbie Lawler. He also had an epic fight with Georges St-Pierre.

Despite winning the welterweight strap he never successfully defended. 

8. Carlos Newton

Image for Carlos Newton and Pat Miletich//Getty

Carlos Newton was known for having expert submission skills and grappling techniques. Newton was involved in a great fight against Matt Hughes, even though he didn't win - a controversial result. Newton never successfully defended his title. 

7. BJ Penn

Image for BJ Penn punches Clay Guida//Getty

Even though BJ Penn was more known for his run at lightweight, Penn claimed one of the biggest shocks in title fight history when he beat Matt Hughes. After defeating Hughes, Penn would vacate the UFC welterweight title.

6. Pat Miletich

Image for Pat Miletich punches Shonie Carter//Getty

Pat Miletich was the first ever UFC welterweight champion. His fighting style was well-rounded and this helped him on his way to successfully defending his title four times.

Some of his key wins came against the likes of John Alessio, Andre Pederneiras and Mikey Burnett.

5. Robbie Lawler

Image for Robbie Lawler celebrating//Getty

“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler was always one of the fan favourites in the UFC because of his fighting style. The American was involved in some of the most brutal fights especially against Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit. Lawler defended his title twice.

4. Tyron Woodley 

Image for Tyron Woodley//Getty

Before his steep decline, Tyron Woodley was one of the most explosive and athletic fighters the UFC has ever seen. Known for his wrestling ability, he also possessed heavy knockout power in his hands.

He has claimed victories over several elite fighters such as Robbie Lawler, Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia and Darren Till. During his title reign he successfully defended his belt four times. 

3. Kamaru Usman

Image for Kamaru Usman//Getty

“The Nigerian Nightmare” may never have been a crowd pleaser, but his achievements in the UFC are incredible. His wrestling ability, cardio and power helped him to victories against Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns. He defended his belt five times.

2. Matt Hughes

Image for Matt Hughes punches BJ Penn//Getty

Matt Hughes is a two-time UFC welterweight champion. His elite wrestling skills and thunderous ground attacks paved the way to become one of the greatest welterweight fighters ever.

Some of his best wins came against Carlos Newton, Georges St-Pierre, and BJ Penn. He defended the welterweight title seven times.