The heavyweight division in mixed martial arts (MMA) generally groups fighters between 206–265 lb (93.4–120.2 kg).
Although many ambiguities exist within the lowerweight classes regarding division naming and weight limits, the Heavyweight division is, for the most part, uniform. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and most other North American MMA organizations such as Bellator MMA, WSOF, and King of the Cage (KOTC) abide by this interpretation to their 206–265 lb athletes as heavyweights. Pancrase's overweight division was 198.4–220.5 lb (90.0–100.0 kg) before being revised to its current 205–264.5 lb (93.0–120.0 kg).
The heavyweight upper weight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission[1] and the Association of Boxing Commissions[2] is 265 lb (120 kg).
Professional champions
Current champions
This table was last updated in August 2020.
| Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC | August 17, 2019 |  Stipe Miocic | 20–3 (15KO) | 1 |
| Bellator MMA | January 26, 2019 | Ryan Bader | 27-6 (12KO 3SUB) | 0 |
| Cage Warriors | July 10, 2020 | .svg.png){kind=small} Andrew Dunkerley | 15-0 (15KO) | 0 |
| Legacy Fighting Alliance | September 27, 2019 | Brett Martin | 9–1 (2KO) | 0 |
| Fight Nights Global |  Vacant | |||
| ACA | February 21, 2020 |  Mukhomad Vakhaev | 9-4 (3KO 5SUB) | 0 |
| ONE Championship | December 11, 2015 |  Brandon Vera | 16–8 (11KO 1SUB) | 2 |
| KSW | April 14, 2018 |  Phil De Fries | 17–6 (2KO 12SUB) | 3 |
Most wins in heavyweight title bouts
- Note: the list includes wins in bouts for heavywight titles of major promotions (UFC, Pride, Strikeforce, WEC)
- Note: the list includes both undisputed and interim champions
- Active title reign
| Name | Promotion | Title bout wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Randy Couture | UFC | 6 |
| Stipe Miocic | UFC | ||
| 2. | Tim Sylvia | UFC | 5 |
| 3. | Cain Velasquez | UFC | 4 |
| Fedor Emelianenko | Pride | ||
| 4. |  Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira | UFC, Pride | 3 |
 Andrei Arlovski | UFC | ||
| Brock Lesnar | UFC | ||
| Daniel Cormier | UFC, Strikeforce | ||
| 5. |  Alistair Overeem | Strikeforce | 2 |
| Frank Mir | UFC | ||
| Fabricio Werdum | UFC | ||
| Kevin Randleman | UFC | ||
| Maurice Smith | UFC | ||
| Ron Waterman | WEC | ||
| James Irvin | WEC | ||
| Brian Olsen | WEC |
Most consecutive defenses of heavyweight title
| Name | Promotion | Title defenses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fedor Emelianenko | Pride | 3 |
| Stipe Miocic* | UFC | ||
| 3. | Randy Couture | UFC | 2 |
| Tim Sylvia | UFC | ||
| Brock Lesnar | UFC | ||
| Cain Velasquez | UFC | ||
| 7. | Alistair Overeem | Strikeforce | 1 |
| Daniel Cormier | UFC | ||
| Frank Mir | UFC | ||
| Fabricio Werdum | UFC | ||
| Kevin Randleman | UFC | ||
| Maurice Smith | UFC | ||
| Ron Waterman | WEC | ||
| James Irvin | WEC | ||
| Brian Olsen | WEC |
- First title reign.
See also
- List of current MMA Heavyweight champions
- List of UFC Heavyweight Champions
- List of Strikeforce Heavyweight Champions
- List of Pancrase Heavyweight Champions
- List of Road FC Heavyweight Champions
References
- ^ Nevada State Athletic Commission. "Nevada Revised Statutes: Chapter 467 - Unarmed Combat". Retrieved 9 May 2017.
- ^ "Unified Rules of MMA". Association of Boxing Commissions. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-15.