Source: Wikicommons

Every UFC fighter dreams of one thing – becoming a champion. Those who manage to pull it off set their sights on the next logical achievement – conquering another division. That said, only a few fighters have succeeded so far and reached double champion status. But who was the first to pull it off, or the first UFC fighter to hold 2 belts?

That’s what we want to answer in this text. We will go through the history of this competition, talk about all double champs in UFC history. We’ll also address current rule changes and answer, do UFC champions get a new belt each win if they switch divisions?

Impact on UFC Business and Casino Sponsorship

The popularity of the UFC increased massively with the appearance of the first two division UFC champions. Early announcements of the fights for the double champion filled tabloid headlines and had a huge impact on the UFC market.

It’s worth pointing out that the sport wouldn’t be as huge as it is without strategic partnerships with gambling sponsors. Casinos often host and promote these fights, and even create fighting-themed casino games to maintain the hype. Because of this, now top paying online casino NZ sites are incredibly popular among fans of MMA competitions. Not only do they have relevant entertainment, but they also offer great promos to new account owners. This crossover keeps fans engaged inside the Octagon and in the world of online gaming.

Of course, events themselves rake in a lot of profits for strategic partners too. The pay-per-view broadcast was a ‘’must-see’’ for hardcore fans and others looking to witness the spectacle. The first two time champ, Conor McGregor, set and holds the viewership record during UFC 205 – 1,300,000 million, ranked among the best UFC cards of all time. No match has come close to this level of fame, but some recent bouts are still waiting for PPV stats. One such example was a double champ fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira.

What Makes a True Double Champion?

UFC rules state that a fighter who holds and defends two titles within different weight categories is a double champion. Winning multiple titles in the same or different categories also counts, but simultaneous and sequential titles distinguish true double champs in UFC history.

• Simultaneous titles: both belts are active and defended at the same time.
• Sequential titles: a fighter wins a belt, loses it, and then wins another (i.e. two belts, but they are not held simultaneously)

Only a few fighters have managed to hold 2 belts simultaneously.

Timeline of UFC Double-Division Champions

If you’re wondering how many double champs in UFC history exist, the answer is six so far. The table below shows all double champs in UFC history, both sequential and simultaneous

BJ Penn – The Pioneer of Multi-Division Success

source: Wikicommons

By winning welterweight (2004) and lightweight (2008) titles, BJ Penn became the first fighter to win in two categories, though he never held both simultaneously. That honour went to another fighter, whom almost everyone knows.

Conor McGregor – The First True Simultaneous Double Champ

source: Wikicommons

McGregor was the first fighter in history to hold a championship belt for the featherweight as well as lightweight divisions. In UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden, Conor wiped the floor with Eddie Alvarez in every sense of the word and won the lightweight title. Images of McGregor holding two belts in his iconic combat dynamic fighting poses remain some of the most recognizable in UFC history.

Daniel Cormier – Heavyweight/Light Heavyweight Double Champ

source: Wikicommons

Before he became widely considered as the best UFC heavyweight fighters of all time Daniel dominated the light heavyweight division. In 2018, he showed he could face stronger opponents while holding the light heavyweight title. His career inspired other fighters aiming for two time champ status.

Challenges of Being a Double Champion

Competing in two categories is extremely challenging. Physical demands, weight changes, nutrition, training, and recovery must all be balanced. Fighters adapt tactics, from striking-heavy to grappling styles, including the classic MMA choke hold. A single division champ usually has 2 to 3 bouts a year. But how many fights does a UFC fighter have per year as a double champ? Well, it will be between 3-4, and that extra fight really takes its toll.

Weight changes are also very stressful for the athletes, and if one wants to defend the position, this is crucial. After all, if you ever wondered – what happens if a UFC fighter misses weight, and he needs to defend the belt? Well, in most cases, he will simply lose the position. The fight will go through, and if the challenger wins, they become the new champ.

The Evolution of UFC’s Championship Policies

Earlier champions fought through a system that was not as strictly defined by the rules as today. Over time, a structure of rules was introduced in order to preserve a fair atmosphere of competition and avoid stagnation in the divisions. A good example is the introduction of interim titles, which allowed big bouts to be fought while both competitors are in tip-top condition.

Also audience has to say goodbye to the concept of two division UFC champions. Dana White announced a UFC title rule change that no longer allows a single fighter to simultaneously hold titles for more than one division. In other words, moving to a higher weight division means vacating your position as champion in your current one.

Conclusion

The U.S. has the most UFC champions by discipline, but countries like Russia, Australia, and Nigeria are catching up. Becoming a UFC fighter and entering in MMA records and championships is what each competitor aspires to do. Also, the new “Legacy Belt” version (introduced in 2019) amps up those ambitions because it looks way more regal compared to the versions that recently retired UFC fighters got.