UFC’s Longest Title Reigns – From Jon Jones, Khabib to Anderson Silva, Take a Look at the Promotion’s Greatest Champions

The UFC is home to not only the world’s best fighters but also to some of the most dominant champions ever in MMA. As of late, we have seen the crowning of many new champions. But for now, let us take a look at some of those champions who’ve had the longest reigns in Dana White’s promotion.

Many professional fighters get into the sport of MMA just to see themselves becoming champions. However, it is not an easy path for them to get to the top-most echelon of the sport, let alone stay champion for a long time. But here are some of those who managed to achieve what very few fighters have in the UFC.

Anderson Silva is the longest-reigning UFC champion in history

Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva is one of the most iconic and greatest fighters of all time. Having joined the UFC in 2006, the Brazilian legend went on to rack up a 16-fight winning streak and win the middleweight title as well. The opponents who tasted defeat against Silva include Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Forrest Griffin, and Dan Henderson, just to name a few.

Anderson Silva’s title reign started in 2006 and ended in 2013 after he lost to Chris Weidman at UFC 162. In other words, ‘The Spider’ remained as the middleweight kingpin for a total of 2,457 days, as he defended the title 10 times. Silva is regarded as not only one of the greatest middleweights but also as one of the greatest and most innovative fighters. However, there are a couple of more fighters who are not too far behind the Brazilian legend.

Other fighters with notably long title reigns

Arguably the greatest flyweight fighter ever, Demetrious Johnson was unstoppable during his time in the UFC. He was the first flyweight champion in the promotion and defended the title on 11 occasions. Moreover, ‘Mighty Mouse’ reigned as the champion for a total of 2,142 days before losing the title to Henry Cejudo at UFC 227.

For the third-longest UFC title reign, we have Canadian legend Georges St-Pierre. He was the welterweight champion for 2,064 days and defended the title on nine occasions. Moreover, St-Pierre would also go on to become a two-weight champion by winning the middleweight title. On the females’ front, former double champion Amanda Nunes was the longest-reigning female UFC champion, with 1,981 days holding the bantamweight strap and retiring in 2023 as a double champion.

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There have been many notable title reigns in the UFC, like the one of Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov. And although ‘Bones’ had a title reign for 1,501 days, his reign did not last as long as the aforementioned ones. It remains to be seen if anyone will come close to beating the records of Anderson Silva, Demetrious Johnson, and Georges St-Pierre. What do you think? Will any fighter set their own records in the future? Drop your comments below.

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