A Recap of the Latest UFC Titleholders in 2023
- UFC 2023: 11 title changes, 2 interim champs, second-highest ever.
- Historic feat: Fighter achieves two-division champion status.
- Champions Zhang, Volkanovski, Makhachev, Edwards stay dominant into 2024.
As 2023 draws to a close, the UFC landscape has undergone a seismic shift with titles changing hands a staggering 11 times, including the introduction of two interim champions. The year, marked by thrilling moments, gripping finishes, and substantial surprises, has left the MMA community eagerly anticipating what 2024 will bring.
Record-Breaking Title Changes:
The 11 title changes in 2023 equal the second-highest tally in UFC history, matching the dynamic years of 2016 and 2017. The all-time record of 12 changes, set in 2016, remains untouched. Six out of the 12 weight categories, spanning both men’s and women’s divisions, witnessed new champions, showcasing the depth of talent and competitiveness in the UFC.
As the new year commences, two titles remain vacant in the women’s bantamweight and women’s featherweight divisions, adding an air of anticipation to the forthcoming matchups.
Notable Achievements and Firsts:
In a year filled with accomplishments, two fighters claimed their second championship in 2023, echoing a feat last achieved in 2004. Notably, one fighter made history by losing their title in one weight class only to become a champion in a different division in the same year—an unprecedented achievement in UFC history.
Furthermore, a fighter ascended to the status of a two-division champion, solidifying their place among the elite in the sport.
Defensive Strategies and Major Winners:
Three fighters attempted to defend their newly acquired titles, with varying outcomes. Alexa Grasso secured a split draw in defense of the women’s flyweight title, while Brandon Moreno and Israel Adesanya relinquished their flyweight and middleweight titles, respectively, to Alexandre Pantoja and Sean Strickland.
Among the major winners of 2023 are names like Alexa Grasso, Alexandre Pantoja, Sean O’Malley, Sean Strickland, Alex Pereira, Jon Jones, and Tom Aspinall, each making their mark in their respective weight classes.
Champions Maintaining Dominance:
Heading into 2024, several fighters stand tall as they maintained their championship status throughout the tumultuous year. Zhang Weili successfully defended her women’s strawweight title, securing a unanimous decision victory over Amanda Lemos.
Alexander Volkanovski, despite experiencing a loss in a lightweight title attempt, rebounded to unify the featherweight title by defeating interim champion Yair Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev, after a brief detour due to injury, remained the lightweight champion after facing off against Volkanovski twice in 2023.
Leon Edwards showcased his welterweight dominance with two successful title defenses, including a majority decision win in a rematch against Kamaru Usman and a unanimous decision victory over Colby Covington.
As the UFC enters 2024, the stage is set for new challenges, epic showdowns, and a continuation of the ever-evolving narratives in the world of mixed martial arts.
