Winning a UFC belt is hard. Like, "dedicate-your-entire-existence-to-being-punched-in-the-face" hard. But winning two? That’s some video game stuff. Fans always ask how many double champions in ufc have actually existed, and the answer depends on how much of a stickler you are for the "simultaneous" rule.
Basically, if we’re talking about fighters who have held titles in two different weight classes at any point in their careers, the number is 11.
But wait. If you only count the ones who held both belts at the same time—the true "Champ-Champs"—that list shrinks faster than a flyweight's 15-pound weight cut on a Friday morning. As of early 2026, we’ve seen some massive shifts in the rankings. Islam Makhachev just joined the elite "simultaneous" crew after his masterclass at UFC 322, and guys like Alex Pereira are already looking at a third belt.
It's a wild time to be a fight fan.
The 11 Legends: How Many Double Champions in UFC History?
Let's break it down. To be a double champ, you don't just have to be good; you have to be a freak of nature. You need the frame to bulk up or the discipline to starve yourself down, all while keeping your skills sharp enough to beat the best in the world.
Here is the "Big 11" list of fighters who have conquered two divisions:
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- Randy Couture (Heavyweight & Light Heavyweight)
- B.J. Penn (Lightweight & Welterweight)
- Conor McGregor (Featherweight & Lightweight)
- Georges St-Pierre (Welterweight & Middleweight)
- Daniel Cormier (Light Heavyweight & Heavyweight)
- Amanda Nunes (Bantamweight & Featherweight)
- Henry Cejudo (Flyweight & Bantamweight)
- Jon Jones (Light Heavyweight & Heavyweight)
- Alex Pereira (Middleweight & Light Heavyweight)
- Ilia Topuria (Featherweight & Lightweight)
- Islam Makhachev (Lightweight & Welterweight)
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Some of these legends, like "GSP" or B.J. Penn, won their belts years apart. Others did it while the first belt was still sitting on their mantle at home.
The Simultaneous Kings (The Real "Champ-Champs")
Holding two belts at once is the ultimate flex. Conor McGregor started this whole craze back in 2016 at Madison Square Garden. Before him, the UFC generally made you vacate one belt before you could even sniff another.
The fighters who held both titles simultaneously are:
- Conor McGregor: The pioneer. He sparked the "Champ-Champ" era by starching Eddie Alvarez.
- Daniel Cormier: "DC" knocked out Stipe Miocic while he was still the king of the 205-pounders.
- Amanda Nunes: The G.O.A.T. of women’s MMA. She didn't just win two; she defended both. Nobody else has really matched her longevity in two spots.
- Henry Cejudo: "Triple C" won the bantamweight strap while holding the flyweight gold.
- Islam Makhachev: The newest addition. By dominating Jack Della Maddalena in late 2025, he proved the Dagestani style travels up to 170 pounds just fine.
Why Alex Pereira Is the Most Interesting Name on This List
If you're looking for the most chaotic career path, it's Alex "Poatan" Pereira. This guy is a human cheat code. He came into the UFC, hunted down Israel Adesanya at middleweight, lost it, moved up to 205, and basically cleared the division.
Recently, he’s been making noise about moving to heavyweight. If he wins a third belt in 2026, he won't just be a double champion—he’ll be the first-ever triple champion. That would effectively break the sport. Most experts thought 185 was his limit, but he’s out here knocking out giants with a left hook that looks like it barely moves.
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What People Get Wrong About Being a Double Champ
People love to argue. That’s half the fun of MMA. One big misconception is that winning a second belt makes you the greatest ever.
But look at Conor. He was the first to do it, yet he never defended a single title. Not one. Compare that to Amanda Nunes, who defended both belts multiple times over years of dominance. Or Jon Jones, who essentially "cleared out" the light heavyweight division for a decade before moving up to take the heavyweight crown from Ciryl Gane.
There's a big difference between "winning a second belt for the optics" and "ruling two divisions."
The "Empty Belt" Problem
Sometimes a double champion happens because a division is weak. For a long time, the women's featherweight division was basically just Amanda Nunes and whoever they could find to stand in front of her. That doesn't take away from her greatness, but it's a different animal than Islam Makhachev moving up to face a killer like Jack Della Maddalena at welterweight.
The Future of the Double Champion Trend
Is the "Champ-Champ" thing getting old? Some fans think so. It sort of clogs up the divisions. If the lightweight champ is busy fighting at welterweight, the #1 lightweight contender is stuck waiting for a year. It’s a logistical nightmare for Dana White.
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However, the UFC loves the pay-per-view numbers. "Champion vs. Champion" is an easy sell.
Right now, keep an eye on:
- Ilia Topuria: He’s young, he’s fast, and he’s already shown he can handle the jump to 155.
- Jon Jones: Even though he’s flirted with retirement, a "legacy fight" at the end of 2026 against someone like Aspinall or even a freak-show match with Pereira keeps him in the conversation.
- Khamzat Chimaev: If he can actually stay healthy and make weight, he’s the kind of guy who could theoretically hold belts at 185 and 205.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Fight Night Debate
If you're at a bar and someone starts rambling about how many double champions in ufc history there are, here’s your "expert" cheat sheet to shut them down:
- Total Count: 11 people have won belts in two classes.
- The "First": Randy Couture was the first to win two, but Conor McGregor was the first to hold them at the same time.
- The New Blood: Islam Makhachev is the most recent simultaneous double champ (UFC 322).
- The Defense King: Amanda Nunes is the only one to actively defend both belts while holding them.
The landscape is changing fast. With the way the UFC is booking fights in 2026, don't be surprised if this list grows by another name or two before the year is out. Keep your eyes on the heavyweight division—that’s where the real history is likely to be made next.