THE REF by Glass Jaw

WHO REALLY HOLDS THE HEAVYWEIGHT BELT?

17 HAND-OFFS · 15 HOLDERS · 12 PROMOTIONS · SINCE 1997

The line starts at UFC 12 on February 7, 1997, when Mark Coleman beat Dan Severn for the first UFC Heavyweight Championship. Since that night it has moved one way only: somebody beat the man who held it.

The Lineal Heavyweight Belt · NO. 18 HOLDING NOW🇨🇲Francis Ngannou"The Predator"HOLDING SINCE MAR 27, 2021 · 5 YRS 6 MOSTOOK IT FROM Stipe Miocic AT UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 23 FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING · LAST FOUGHT IN MVP MMASEE THE HOLD ▶
LONGEST HOLD7 YRS 3 MOSFedor EmelianenkoNO. 9MOST FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING19Fedor EmelianenkoNO. 9MOST TIMES HELD2Mark ColemanNO. 1, NO. 7
PROMOTIONS VISITED12Longest in the UFC

PROMOTIONS VISITEDUFC · VALE TUDO JAPAN · PRIDE · UFO Legend · Bushido Rings · Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye · BodogFIGHT · Yarennoka · AFFLICTION · STRIKEFORCE · PFL · MVP MMA

THE BELT MAP

FEB 7, 1997 TO OCT 7, 2026
UFCUFCUFCVALE TUDO JAPANPRIDEPRIDEPRIDEPRIDEPRIDESTRIKEFORCESTRIKEFORCEUFCUFCUFCUFCUFCUFCUFC
FEB 7, 1997OCT 7, 2026
  • UFC 15 YRS 4 MOS
  • VALE TUDO JAPAN 1 YR 3 MOS
  • PRIDE 10 YRS 4 MOS
  • STRIKEFORCE 2 YRS 7 MOS
  • HOLDING NOW
  • BELT CHANGES PROMOTION

THE BELT HAS CHANGED PROMOTIONS 4 TIMES.

THE CHAIN

Newest first. Every man who held it, every fight he had while he did.

  1. NO. 18 · HOLDING NOWMAR 27, 2021

    🇨🇲Francis Ngannou

    "The Predator"

    TOOK IT FROM Stipe MiocicKO (punch) · R2 0:52UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2

    HOLDING 5 YRS 6 MOS · 3 FIGHTS WITHOUT A LOSS

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (3)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    JAN 22, 2022W🇫🇷Ciryl GaneDEC (unanimous)UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane🏆Unification bout: Gane held the interim belt. Ngannou's last UFC fight.UFC
    OCT 19, 2024W🇧🇷Renan FerreiraKO (punches) · R1 3:32PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants🏆His first MMA fight since January 2022.PFL
    MAY 16, 2026W🇧🇷Philipe LinsKO (punch) · R1 4:31MVP MMA: Rousey vs. CaranoMost Valuable Promotions' first MMA card, shown on Netflix. A five-round bout with no belt on the line.MVP MMA
    • The UFC let him go in January 2023 and crowned Jon Jones that March. The Ref's belt left with Ngannou, because nobody beat him.
    • He boxed Tyson Fury (2023) and Anthony Joshua (2024) and lost both. Boxing does not count.
    • Since then: a PFL win in Riyadh in 2024 and an MVP win in Inglewood in 2026. Unbeaten in MMA since 2018.
    • The PFL released him in March 2026. Two months after his MVP fight, the PFL and MVP announced a merger under the MVP name. The belt and the promotion found each other again.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  2. NO. 17 · 2ND TIME HOLDINGAUG 17, 2019

    🇺🇸Stipe Miocic

    TOOK IT FROM Daniel CormierTKO (punches) · R4 4:09UFC 241: Cormier vs. Miocic 2

    HELD 1 YR 7 MOS · 1 FIGHT WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Francis NgannouUFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2MAR 27, 2021

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (1)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    AUG 15, 2020W🇺🇸Daniel CormierDEC (unanimous)UFC 252: Miocic vs. Cormier 3🏆The rubber match.UFC
    • The third man to hold it twice.
    • He won the trilogy with Cormier 2 to 1.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  3. NO. 16JUL 7, 2018

    🇺🇸Daniel Cormier

    "DC"

    TOOK IT FROM Stipe MiocicKO (punches) · R1 4:33UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier

    HELD 1 YR 1 MO · 1 FIGHT WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Stipe MiocicUFC 241: Cormier vs. Miocic 2AUG 17, 2019

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (1)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    NOV 3, 2018W🇺🇸Derrick LewisSUB (rear-naked choke) · R2 2:14UFC 230: Cormier vs. Lewis🏆UFC
    • The UFC light heavyweight champion moved up and knocked Miocic out late in round one.
    • He was still the UFC light heavyweight champion when he took it.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  4. NO. 15MAY 14, 2016

    🇺🇸Stipe Miocic

    TOOK IT FROM Fabricio WerdumKO (punch) · R1 2:47UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic

    HELD 2 YRS 1 MO · 3 FIGHTS WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Daniel CormierUFC 226: Miocic vs. CormierJUL 7, 2018

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (3)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    SEP 10, 2016W🇳🇱Alistair OvereemKO (punches) · R1 4:27UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem🏆UFC
    MAY 13, 2017W🇧🇷Junior dos SantosTKO (punches) · R1 2:22UFC 211: Miocic vs. dos Santos 2🏆UFC
    JAN 20, 2018W🇨🇲Francis NgannouDEC (unanimous)UFC 220: Miocic vs. Ngannou🏆UFC
    • Three straight UFC title defenses, a UFC heavyweight record at the time.
    • One of them was a decision over Francis Ngannou. Remember that name.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  5. NO. 14 · 2ND TIME HOLDINGJUN 13, 2015

    🇧🇷Fabricio Werdum

    "Vai Cavalo"

    TOOK IT FROM Cain VelasquezSUB (guillotine choke) · R3 2:13UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum

    HELD 11 MOS · LOST IT IN HIS FIRST FIGHT

    LOST IT TO Stipe MiocicUFC 198: Werdum vs. MiocicMAY 14, 2016

    THE NOTES
    • The second man to hold it twice. Both times he took it by submission: Fedor in 2010, Velasquez in 2015.
    • The belt changes hands in Mexico City.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  6. NO. 13MAY 25, 2013

    🇺🇸Cain Velasquez

    TOOK IT FROM Antonio SilvaTKO (punches) · R1 1:21UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2

    HELD 2 YRS · 1 FIGHT WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Fabricio WerdumUFC 188: Velasquez vs. WerdumJUN 13, 2015

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (1)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    OCT 19, 2013W🇧🇷Junior dos SantosTKO (slam and punch) · R5 3:09UFC 166: Velasquez vs. dos Santos 3🏆UFC
    • The UFC champion takes it. For the first time since Randy Couture, the UFC belt and this one are in the same hands.
    • Injuries kept him out for 20 months before he lost it.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  7. NO. 12FEB 2, 2013

    🇧🇷Antonio Silva

    "Bigfoot"

    TOOK IT FROM Alistair OvereemKO (punches) · R3 0:25UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar

    HELD 3 MOS · LOST IT IN HIS FIRST FIGHT

    LOST IT TO Cain VelasquezUFC 160: Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2MAY 25, 2013

    THE NOTES
    • Bigfoot took it with a third-round knockout in a fight with no belt on the line.
    • He lost it in his next fight, 112 days later.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  8. THE BELT LEAVES STRIKEFORCE ▶ THE UFC FEB 2, 2013
  9. NO. 11JUN 18, 2011

    🇳🇱Alistair Overeem

    "The Reem"

    TOOK IT FROM Fabricio WerdumDEC (unanimous)Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum

    HELD 1 YR 7 MOS · 1 FIGHT WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Antonio SilvaUFC 156: Aldo vs. EdgarFEB 2, 2013

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (1)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    DEC 30, 2011W🇺🇸Brock LesnarTKO (body kick and punches) · R1 2:26UFC 141: Lesnar vs. OvereemOvereem's UFC debut.UFC
    • Overeem was the Strikeforce champion and the DREAM interim heavyweight champion when he took it.
    • The belt comes back to the UFC: he stopped Brock Lesnar with a body kick in his debut.

    SOURCESWSDW

  10. NO. 10JUN 26, 2010

    🇧🇷Fabricio Werdum

    "Vai Cavalo"

    TOOK IT FROM Fedor EmelianenkoSUB (triangle armbar) · R1 1:09Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum

    HELD 11 MOS · LOST IT IN HIS FIRST FIGHT

    LOST IT TO Alistair OvereemStrikeforce: Overeem vs. WerdumJUN 18, 2011

    THE NOTES
    • Werdum caught Fedor in a triangle armbar in 69 seconds. The belt is in Strikeforce now.
    • He did not fight again until he lost it, 357 days later.

    SOURCESWSDW

  11. THE BELT LEAVES PRIDE ▶ STRIKEFORCE JUN 26, 2010
  12. NO. 9MAR 16, 2003

    🇷🇺Fedor Emelianenko

    "The Last Emperor"

    TOOK IT FROM Antonio Rodrigo NogueiraDEC (unanimous)Pride 25: Body Blow

    HELD 7 YRS 3 MOS · 19 FIGHTS WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Fabricio WerdumStrikeforce: Fedor vs. WerdumJUN 26, 2010

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (19)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    APR 5, 2003W🇱🇹Egidijus ValavičiusSUB (kimura) · R2 1:13Bushido Rings 7: AdrenalinasA Rings Lithuania show. The original Japanese RINGS had closed in 2002.Bushido Rings
    JUN 8, 2003W🇯🇵Kazuyuki FujitaSUB (rear-naked choke) · R1 4:17Pride 26: Bad to the BonePRIDE
    AUG 10, 2003W🇨🇦Gary GoodridgeTKO (soccer kicks and punches) · R1 1:09Pride Total Elimination 2003PRIDE
    DEC 31, 2003W🇯🇵Yuji NagataTKO (punches) · R1 1:02Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye
    APR 25, 2004W🇺🇸Mark ColemanSUB (armbar) · R1 2:11Pride Total Elimination 20042004 Heavyweight Grand Prix opening round.PRIDE
    JUN 20, 2004W🇺🇸Kevin RandlemanSUB (kimura) · R1 1:33Pride Critical Countdown 20042004 Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal.PRIDE
    AUG 15, 2004W🇯🇵Naoya OgawaSUB (armbar) · R1 0:54Pride Final Conflict 20042004 Heavyweight Grand Prix semifinal.PRIDE
    AUG 15, 2004NC🇧🇷Antonio Rodrigo NogueiraNC (accidental clash of heads) · R1 3:52Pride Final Conflict 2004🏆Grand Prix final, later the same night. A clash of heads cut Fedor and the fight was stopped. The belt did not move.PRIDE
    DEC 31, 2004W🇧🇷Antonio Rodrigo NogueiraDEC (unanimous)Pride Shockwave 2004🏆The rematch. It unified the Pride belts and decided the 2004 Grand Prix.PRIDE
    APR 3, 2005W🇯🇵Tsuyoshi KohsakaTKO (doctor stoppage) · R1 10:00Pride Bushido 6Revenge for the only loss on Fedor's record at the time, a 17-second doctor stoppage against Kohsaka in RINGS in 2000.PRIDE
    AUG 28, 2005W🇭🇷Mirko Cro CopDEC (unanimous)Pride Final Conflict 2005🏆PRIDE
    DEC 31, 2005W🇧🇷ZuluzinhoTKO (submission to punches) · R1 0:26Pride Shockwave 2005PRIDE
    OCT 21, 2006W🇺🇸Mark ColemanSUB (armbar) · R2 1:15Pride 32: The Real DealPride's first show outside Japan.PRIDE
    DEC 31, 2006W🇳🇿Mark HuntSUB (kimura) · R1 8:16Pride Shockwave 2006🏆PRIDE
    APR 14, 2007W🇺🇸Matt LindlandSUB (armbar) · R1 2:58BodogFIGHT: Clash of the NationsBodogFIGHT
    DEC 31, 2007W🇰🇷Hong-Man ChoiSUB (armbar) · R1 1:54Yarennoka!Put on by former Pride staff with M-1 Global, FEG and DEEP after Pride was sold.Yarennoka
    JUL 19, 2008W🇺🇸Tim SylviaSUB (rear-naked choke) · R1 0:36Affliction: Banned🏆AFFLICTION
    JAN 24, 2009W🇧🇾Andrei ArlovskiKO (punch) · R1 3:14Affliction: Day of Reckoning🏆AFFLICTION
    NOV 7, 2009W🇺🇸Brett RogersTKO (punches) · R2 1:48Strikeforce: Fedor vs. RogersCo-promoted with M-1 Global and shown live on CBS.STRIKEFORCE
    • The longest hold in the book: 7 years, 3 months and 10 days.
    • 19 bouts without a loss (18 wins and a no contest) in Japan, Lithuania, Russia and the USA, for Pride, Affliction, Strikeforce and four other shows.
    • Pride was sold in 2007 and closed. Fedor kept the belt and took it on tour.

    SOURCESWSDW

  13. NO. 8SEP 24, 2001

    🇧🇷Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

    "Minotauro"

    TOOK IT FROM Mark ColemanSUB (triangle armbar) · R1 6:10Pride 16: Beasts from the East

    HELD 1 YR 5 MOS · 6 FIGHTS WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Fedor EmelianenkoPride 25: Body BlowMAR 16, 2003

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (6)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    NOV 3, 2001W🇺🇸Heath HerringDEC (unanimous)Pride 17: Championship Chaos🏆For the first Pride Heavyweight Championship.PRIDE
    FEB 24, 2002W🇯🇵Enson InoueSUB (triangle choke) · R1 6:17Pride 19: Bad BloodA technical submission: Inoue went out in the choke.PRIDE
    AUG 8, 2002W🇯🇵Sanae KikutaKO (punch) · R2 0:29UFO LegendA one-off card at the Tokyo Dome by Universal Fighting-Arts Organization.UFO Legend
    AUG 28, 2002W🇺🇸Bob SappSUB (armbar) · R2 4:03Pride ShockwaveCo-promoted with K-1 at Tokyo National Stadium.PRIDE
    NOV 24, 2002W🇳🇱Semmy SchiltSUB (triangle choke) · R1 6:36Pride 23: Championship Chaos 2PRIDE
    DEC 23, 2002W🇺🇸Dan HendersonSUB (armbar) · R3 1:49Pride 24: Cold Fury 3PRIDE
    • The Pride belt joins the line here: Nogueira won the first Pride Heavyweight Championship at Pride 17.
    • Six wins while holding it, four by submission.

    SOURCESWSDW

  14. NO. 7 · 2ND TIME HOLDINGMAY 1, 2000

    🇺🇸Mark Coleman

    "The Hammer"

    TOOK IT FROM Kazuyuki FujitaTKO (corner stoppage) · R1 0:02Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals

    HELD 1 YR 4 MOS · 2 FIGHTS WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Antonio Rodrigo NogueiraPride 16: Beasts from the EastSEP 24, 2001

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (2)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    MAY 1, 2000W🇺🇦Igor VovchanchynTKO (submission to knees) · R2 3:09Pride Grand Prix 2000 FinalsGrand Prix final. Coleman won the Pride Grand Prix 2000.PRIDE
    MAR 25, 2001W🇧🇷Allan GoesKO (knees) · R1 1:19Pride 13: Collision CoursePRIDE
    • The first man to hold the belt twice.
    • He won the Pride Grand Prix 2000 the same night, beating Igor Vovchanchyn in the final.

    SOURCESWSDW

  15. NO. 6MAY 1, 2000

    🇯🇵Kazuyuki Fujita

    "Ironhead"

    TOOK IT FROM Mark KerrDEC (unanimous)Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals

    HELD 0 DAYS · LOST IT IN HIS FIRST FIGHT

    LOST IT TO Mark ColemanPride Grand Prix 2000 FinalsMAY 1, 2000

    THE NOTES
    • The shortest hold in the book: Fujita took it in the quarterfinals and lost it in the semifinals the same night.
    • The belt changed hands twice on May 1, 2000.

    SOURCESWSDW

  16. NO. 5JAN 30, 2000

    🇺🇸Mark Kerr

    "The Smashing Machine"

    TOOK IT FROM Enson InoueDEC (majority)Pride Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round

    HELD 3 MOS · LOST IT IN HIS FIRST FIGHT

    LOST IT TO Kazuyuki FujitaPride Grand Prix 2000 FinalsMAY 1, 2000

    THE NOTES
    • The belt changes hands in Pride for the first time, in the opening round of the Pride Grand Prix 2000.
    • Kerr lost it in the Grand Prix quarterfinals 92 days later, without fighting in between.

    SOURCESWSDW

  17. THE BELT LEAVES VALE TUDO JAPAN ▶ PRIDE JAN 30, 2000
  18. NO. 4OCT 25, 1998

    🇯🇵Enson Inoue

    "Yamato Damashii"

    TOOK IT FROM Randy CoutureSUB (armbar) · R1 1:39Vale Tudo Japan 1998

    HELD 1 YR 3 MOS · 1 FIGHT WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Mark KerrPride Grand Prix 2000 Opening RoundJAN 30, 2000

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (1)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    APR 29, 1999W🇯🇵Soichi NishidaSUB (rear-naked choke) · R1 0:24Pride 5PRIDE
    • The belt leaves the UFC for Japan. Inoue armbarred Couture in 1:39 at Vale Tudo Japan 1998.
    • He held it for 462 days and won once more, in 24 seconds at Pride 5.

    SOURCESWSDW

  19. THE BELT LEAVES THE UFC ▶ VALE TUDO JAPAN OCT 25, 1998
  20. NO. 3DEC 21, 1997

    🇺🇸Randy Couture

    "The Natural"

    TOOK IT FROM Maurice SmithDEC (majority)UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan

    HELD 10 MOS · LOST IT IN HIS FIRST FIGHT

    LOST IT TO Enson InoueVale Tudo Japan 1998OCT 25, 1998

    THE NOTES
    • Won in Yokohama: the first time the belt changed hands outside the USA.
    • Couture walked out on the UFC in a contract dispute and the UFC called its belt vacant. The Ref does not. Belts are won in the cage.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  21. NO. 2JUL 27, 1997

    🇺🇸Maurice Smith

    "Mo"

    TOOK IT FROM Mark ColemanDEC (unanimous)UFC 14: Showdown

    HELD 4 MOS · 1 FIGHT WITHOUT A LOSS

    LOST IT TO Randy CoutureUFC Japan: Ultimate JapanDEC 21, 1997

    THE FIGHTS WHILE HOLDING (1)
    DATERESULTOPPONENTHOWEVENTPROMOTION
    OCT 17, 1997W🇺🇸Tank AbbottSUB (leg kicks) · R1 8:08UFC 15: Collision Course🏆Abbott tapped to the leg kicks. The UFC scores it a submission; Sherdog scores it a TKO.UFC
    • A kickboxer beats a wrestler: Smith lasted 21 minutes with Coleman and took the decision.
    • One defense, against Tank Abbott at UFC 15.

    SOURCESWSDUS

  22. NO. 1FEB 7, 1997

    🇺🇸Mark Coleman

    "The Hammer"

    WON THE FIRST BELT OVER Dan SevernSUB (neck crank from scarf hold) · R1 2:57UFC 12: Judgement Day

    HELD 5 MOS · LOST IT IN HIS FIRST FIGHT

    LOST IT TO Maurice SmithUFC 14: ShowdownJUL 27, 1997

    THE NOTES
    • The first UFC Heavyweight Champion, and the first man to hold this belt.
    • He never fought while holding it: his first bout as champion is the one that lost it.

    SOURCESWSDUS

WHERE THE PROMOTION BELTS JOIN THE LINE

Every lineal bout that had a promotion belt on the line too.

🇺🇸UFC Heavyweight Championship ▶17 BOUTS WITH BOTH ON THE LINE
🇯🇵Pride Heavyweight Championship ▶6 BOUTS WITH BOTH ON THE LINE

NEVER ON THE LINE IN A LINEAL BOUT

🇺🇸Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship🇺🇸Bellator Heavyweight World Championship🇺🇸PFL Heavyweight Championship🇸🇬ONE Heavyweight World Championship🇺🇸EliteXC Heavyweight Championship

HOW THE REF COUNTS

  1. 1

    WHERE IT STARTS

    The line starts where the biggest promotion first put weight on a belt: UFC 12, February 7, 1997. Mark Coleman beat Dan Severn for the first UFC Heavyweight Championship. Before that night, UFC belts had no weight.

  2. 2

    HOW IT MOVES

    The belt changes hands one way: the holder loses a professional MMA bout. Any promotion. Any country. Any weight. Title on the line or not.

  3. 3

    WHAT DOES NOT MOVE IT

    Draws and no contests do not move it. A result overturned to a no contest never moved it. Boxing, kickboxing and exhibitions do not count.

  4. 4

    WHAT DOES NOT TAKE IT

    The holder keeps it when a promotion strips him, when he leaves for another promotion, and when he retires. Belts are won in the cage.

  5. 5

    THE SHELF

    If the holder is gone three full years without a professional MMA bout, the belt goes on the shelf. The line restarts with the next undisputed heavyweight title fight in the biggest promotion. (Not needed yet for heavyweight; the rule exists so the line can never die.)

SOURCES

Every bout on this page is sourced. Full source list on each belt page and in the repo.

SHOW ALL 134 SOURCES
  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_12
  2. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-12-Judgement-Day-20
  3. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/96eff1a628adcc7f
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_14
  5. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-14-Showdown-22
  6. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/dc950d59dc590aca
  7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_15
  8. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-15-Collision-Course-23
  9. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/07a18ae55dfc3cd9
  10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_Japan:_Ultimate_Japan
  11. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-155-Ultimate-Japan-1-24
  12. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/29f935654825331b
  13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vale_Tudo_Japan#Vale_Tudo_Japan_1998
  14. https://www.sherdog.com/events/VTJ-1998-Vale-Tudo-Japan-1998-68
  15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enson_Inoue
  16. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_in_Pride_FC#Pride_5
  17. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Pride-5-50
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Grand_Prix_2000_-_Opening_Round
  19. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Pride-Grand-Prix-2000-Opening-Round-54
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Kerr_(fighter)
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Grand_Prix_2000_-_Finals
  22. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Pride-Grand-Prix-2000-Finals-55
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazuyuki_Fujita
  24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Coleman
  25. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_in_Pride_FC#Pride_13:_Collision_Course
  26. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-13-Collision-Course-84
  27. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_in_Pride_FC#Pride_16:_Beasts_from_the_East
  28. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-16-Beasts-From-The-East-467
  29. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_in_Pride_FC#Pride_17:_Championship_Chaos
  30. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-17-Championship-Chaos-595
  31. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B4nio_Rodrigo_Nogueira
  32. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_in_Pride_FC#Pride_19:_Bad_Blood
  33. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-19-Bad-Blood-719
  34. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFO-Legend-969
  35. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_Shockwave
  36. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Shockwave-1032
  37. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_in_Pride_FC#Pride_23:_Championship_Chaos_2
  38. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-23-Championship-Chaos-2-1224
  39. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_in_Pride_FC#Pride_24:_Cold_Fury_3
  40. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-24-Cold-Fury-3-1287
  41. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_in_Pride_FC#Pride_25:_Body_Blow
  42. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-25-Body-Blow-1425
  43. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedor_Emelianenko
  44. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Rings-Lithuania-Bushido-Rings-7-Adrenalinas-1505
  45. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2335714/fedor-emelianenko
  46. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_in_Pride_FC#Pride_26:_Bad_to_the_Bone
  47. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-26-Bad-to-the-Bone-1617
  48. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Total_Elimination_2003
  49. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Total-Elimination-2003-1693
  50. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Inoki-BomBaYe-2003-Inoki-Festival-2048
  51. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Total_Elimination_2004
  52. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Total-Elimination-2004-2235
  53. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Critical_Countdown_2004
  54. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Critical-Countdown-2004-2372
  55. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Final_Conflict_2004
  56. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Final-Conflict-2004-2494
  57. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Shockwave_2004
  58. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Shockwave-2004-2740
  59. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Bushido_6
  60. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-Bushido-6-2905
  61. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Final_Conflict_2005
  62. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Final-Conflict-2005-3184
  63. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_in_Pride_FC#Pride_FC:_Shockwave_2005
  64. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Shockwave-2005-3422
  65. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_32
  66. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-32-The-Real-Deal-4088
  67. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_Shockwave_2006
  68. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Pride-FC-Shockwave-2006-4316
  69. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Bodog-Fight-Clash-of-the-Nations-4683
  70. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarennoka!
  71. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Yarennoka-New-Years-Eve-2007-6053
  72. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affliction:_Banned
  73. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Affliction-Banned-7156
  74. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affliction:_Day_of_Reckoning
  75. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Affliction-Day-of-Reckoning-9011
  76. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strikeforce:_Fedor_vs._Rogers
  77. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Strikeforce-M1-Global-Fedor-vs-Rogers-11272
  78. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strikeforce:_Fedor_vs._Werdum
  79. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Strikeforce-M1-Global-Fedor-vs-Werdum-13296
  80. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabr%C3%ADcio_Werdum
  81. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strikeforce:_Overeem_vs._Werdum
  82. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Strikeforce-Overeem-vs-Werdum-16216
  83. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alistair_Overeem
  84. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_141
  85. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-141-Lesnar-vs-Overeem-18346
  86. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/91720876db0ee468
  87. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_156
  88. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-156-Aldo-vs-Edgar-26099
  89. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/601cf40c09090853
  90. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_160
  91. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-160-Velasquez-vs-Bigfoot-2-28051
  92. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/3c241737a6069b9f
  93. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_166
  94. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-166-Velasquez-vs-Dos-Santos-3-30813
  95. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/eae4aec1a5a8ff01
  96. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_188
  97. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-188-Velasquez-vs-Werdum-42205
  98. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a58114c6dd0add64
  99. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_198
  100. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-198-Werdum-vs-Miocic-50217
  101. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a4bf17bd3ba3423b
  102. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_203
  103. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-203-Miocic-vs-Overeem-52565
  104. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/2dc7f1762dc0a7ef
  105. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_211
  106. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-211-Miocic-vs-Dos-Santos-2-57823
  107. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/5df10509264586e5
  108. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_220
  109. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-220-Miocic-vs-Ngannou-63763
  110. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/02177caefe7c07d4
  111. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_226
  112. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-226-Miocic-vs-Cormier-65367
  113. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/35585d970300d45a
  114. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_230
  115. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-230-Cormier-vs-Lewis-69281
  116. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/20821819c401ced8
  117. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_241
  118. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-241-Cormier-vs-Miocic-2-76383
  119. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/70167689d6a01793
  120. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_252
  121. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-252-Miocic-vs-Cormier-3-85053
  122. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/bda04c573563cc2e
  123. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_260
  124. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-260-Miocic-vs-Ngannou-2-88377
  125. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/6597b611f1c32555
  126. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_270
  127. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-270-Ngannou-vs-Gane-90612
  128. http://ufcstats.com/event-details/335ad945324c3a2e
  129. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PFL_Super_Fights:_Battle_of_the_Giants
  130. https://www.sherdog.com/events/PFL-Super-Fights-Battle-of-the-Giants-Brace-for-Impact-104002
  131. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Ngannou
  132. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MVP_MMA:_Rousey_vs._Carano
  133. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Most-Valuable-Promotions-Rousey-vs-Carano-111723
  134. https://cagesidepress.com/2026/05/16/mvp-mma-francis-ngannou-smokes-philipe-lins/

EVERY BELT IN THE DIVISION