The UFC moves so fast it’s honestly hard to keep up. One minute a guy is a legend, the next he’s "yesterday's news" because of a freak injury or a massive upset. If you’re asking who is the champion of ufc right now, you’re basically looking for a snapshot of the baddest people on the planet.
Things look a lot different than they did even a year ago. We've seen titans fall and young prospects skip the line. It’s chaotic, but that’s why we watch, right? Let's break down exactly who is holding the gold in every division as of early 2026.
The Heavy Hitters: Heavyweight to Middleweight
The big guys are usually where the most drama happens. Take the heavyweight division, for example. For a long time, the shadow of Jon Jones loomed over everything, but with his retirement in 2025, a new king has finally been crowned.
Heavyweight: Tom Aspinall
Honestly, it felt like Aspinall was the "real" champ even when he had the interim tag. Now, it’s official. After Jones hung up the gloves, Tom Aspinall became the undisputed heavyweight champion. He recently defended it against Ciryl Gane, proving that his combination of speed and grappling is just too much for the old guard to handle.
Light Heavyweight: Alex Pereira
"Poatan" is a freak of nature. No other way to put it. Alex Pereira lost his belt to Magomed Ankalaev in early 2025, but then he went and reclaimed it in a rematch that lasted all of 90 seconds. He’s currently the Light Heavyweight champion, though everyone is talking about him moving up to Heavyweight to chase a third belt.
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Middleweight: Khamzat Chimaev
It took a while for "Borz" to get his shot, but he didn't waste it. Khamzat Chimaev is the current Middleweight champion after absolutely mauling Dricus Du Plessis in late 2025. He’s undefeated, scary as hell, and already calling out people in higher weight classes.
The Shark Tanks: Welterweight to Featherweight
These divisions are widely considered the most competitive in the sport. If you blink, the rankings change.
Welterweight: Islam Makhachev
Wait, isn't he a lightweight? Well, he was. Islam Makhachev moved up and captured the Welterweight title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena. He’s now a two-division champ and sits comfortably at the top of the pound-for-pound list. He basically ran out of challenges at 155, so he decided to take over the 170-pound division too.
Lightweight: Ilia Topuria
This one is a bit of a "super-champ" situation. Ilia Topuria is technically the Lightweight champion after moving up from Featherweight. However, because of some personal time away from the cage, the UFC has introduced an interim title. Right now, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett are set to fight for that interim belt at UFC 324. But as far as the history books go, Topuria is the man.
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Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski
The GOAT of the division is back on top. After Topuria moved up, Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed his throne. He’s a two-time Featherweight champion now and is currently preparing to defend his belt against Diego Lopes. Most people thought Volk was done after his losses in 2024, but he’s proven everyone wrong.
The Speedsters: Bantamweight and Flyweight
If you like high-paced action, these are your divisions. The belts here have been changing hands like hot potatoes lately.
Bantamweight: Petr Yan
"No Mercy" is back. Petr Yan closed out 2025 by taking the title from Merab Dvalishvili in what many are calling a masterclass performance. It’s been a long road back for Yan, but he’s once again the Bantamweight king. He has a massive target on his back with guys like Umar Nurmagomedov climbing the ranks.
Flyweight: Joshua Van
This is the biggest "wait, what?" in the sport right now. Joshua Van is the UFC Flyweight champion. He won the belt at UFC 323 in December 2025 after the long-time champ, Alexandre Pantoja, suffered a fluke elbow injury in the first minute of their fight. Van is only 24 years old, making him the youngest champion currently on the roster.
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Who is the Champion of UFC in the Women’s Divisions?
The women's side of the sport has seen some massive returns and a few heartbreaking injuries lately.
- Women’s Bantamweight: Kayla Harrison. She’s the powerhouse of the division. Harrison won the belt from Julianna Peña and was supposed to defend it against the returning Amanda Nunes this month, but a neck injury forced a postponement.
- Women’s Flyweight: Valentina Shevchenko. "The Bullet" is still at it. She successfully defended her title against Zhang Weili in a cross-divisional super-fight and shows no signs of slowing down.
- Women’s Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern. In a bit of an upset, Dern managed to grapple her way to the title against Virna Jandiroba. She’s the current queen of the 115-pounders.
What Most People Get Wrong About UFC Titles
A lot of casual fans think the "Interim" champion is just a fake belt. It’s really not. In 2026, the UFC uses interim titles as a way to keep divisions moving when a primary champion is injured or tied up in "super-fights."
If you see someone like Justin Gaethje holding a belt next week, remember that he's the "placeholder" champion until he can unify it with the undisputed champ. It’s basically a guaranteed ticket to the biggest fight of your life.
Actionable Steps for MMA Fans
If you want to stay on top of the madness, don't just check the Wikipedia page—it’s often outdated by a few hours after a big fight. Instead:
- Check the Official UFC Rankings: They update these every Tuesday. It's the only "source of truth" for who actually holds the gold.
- Follow the "Interim" Saga: Pay close attention to the Gaethje vs. Pimblett result at UFC 324. That winner will define the Lightweight division for the rest of the year.
- Watch the "Champ-Champ" Rumors: Keep an eye on Alex Pereira’s social media. If he announces a move to Heavyweight, the 205-pound belt might become vacant sooner than you think.
The landscape of who is the champion of ufc is always shifting. Whether it's Joshua Van's "fluke" win or Islam Makhachev's dominance across two divisions, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the weirdest and most exciting years in MMA history. Keep your eyes on the upcoming cards, because by next month, this list could already be different.