First, a run-down of the particulars:
- Due to potential metric conversion issues and weight class changes, a limit of 206 pounds is observed for this list.
- Inception of the championship occurred in UFC, at the first “Under 200lb” Finals. The late start was due to the lack of guidance by an organization, with no semblance of matchmaking. Before the UFC, the Light Heavyweight division was used a “stop gap” between Middleweight and Heavyweight. Some argument could be made to start the lineage with Jorge Patino in 1995
- Only one period of inactivity was seen in this lineage.
- The lineage is retroactively restarted with Daniel Cormier vs Anthony Johnson II due to Jon Jones’ USADA violation at UFC 214.
Your current lineal Light Heavyweight champion is Jiri Prochazka
The full history is below. Note, the colored backgrounds indicate a title change.
MMA Light Heavyweight Lineal Championship History
| Date | Champion | Outcome | Challenger | Notes |
| 1996-09-20 | Jerry Bohlander | WIN | Fabio Gurgel | |
| 1997-02-07 | Jerry Bohlander | WIN | Rainy Martinez | |
| 1997-02-07 | Jerry Bohlander | WIN | Nick Sanzo | |
| 1997-09-27 | Murilo Bustamante | WIN | Jerry Bohlander | |
| 2000-04-14 | Murilo Bustamante | WIN | Yoji Ando | One could argue this inactivity was significant and that we should restart with Shamrock? |
| 2001-09-28 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Murilo Bustamante | |
| 2002-01-11 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Amar Suloev | |
| 2002-06-22 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Vitor Belfort | |
| 2002-11-22 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Renato Sobral | |
| 2003-06-06 | Randy Couture | WIN | Chuck Liddell | |
| 2003-09-26 | Randy Couture | WIN | Tito Ortiz | Top contender match |
| 2004-01-31 | Vitor Belfort | WIN | Randy Couture | |
| 2004-08-21 | Randy Couture | WIN | Vitor Belfort | |
| 2005-04-16 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Randy Couture | |
| 2005-08-20 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Jeremy Horn | |
| 2006-02-04 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Randy Couture | |
| 2006-08-26 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Renato Sobral | |
| 2006-12-30 | Chuck Liddell | WIN | Tito Ortiz | |
| 2007-05-26 | Quinton Jackson | WIN | Chuck Liddell | |
| 2007-09-08 | Quinton Jackson | WIN | Dan Henderson | |
| 2008-07-05 | Forrest Griffin | WIN | Quinton Jackson | |
| 2008-12-27 | Rashad Evans | WIN | Forrest Griffin | |
| 2009-05-23 | Lyoto Machida | WIN | Rashad Evans | |
| 2009-10-24 | Lyoto Machida | WIN | Mauricio Rua | |
| 2010-05-08 | Mauricio Rua | WIN | Lyoto Machida | |
| 2011-03-19 | Jon Jones | WIN | Mauricio Rua | |
| 2011-09-24 | Jon Jones | WIN | Quinton Jackson | |
| 2011-12-11 | Jon Jones | WIN | Lyoto Machida | |
| 2012-04-21 | Jon Jones | WIN | Rashad Evans | |
| 2012-09-22 | Jon Jones | WIN | Vitor Belfort | |
| 2013-04-27 | Jon Jones | WIN | Chael Sonnen | |
| 2013-09-21 | Jon Jones | WIN | Alexander Gustafsson | |
| 2014-04-26 | Jon Jones | WIN | Glover Teixeira | |
| 2015-01-03 | Jon Jones | WIN | Daniel Cormier | Jones stripped of the UFC title and faced a potentially long hiatus.
Lineage temporarily restarted with the top contender bout of Cormier vs Johnson. |
| 2016-04-24 | Jon Jones | WIN | Ovince St. Preux | Jones lineage is resumed as he makes a successful return to MMA.
Cormier’s wins over Johnson and Gustafsson are erased from the lineage. |
| 2017-04-08 | Daniel Cormier | WIN | Anthony Johnson | After Jones’ tests positive for performance enhancing drugs after UFC 214, Jones vs Cormier II is declared a No Contest.
Lineage retroactively restarted with Cormier vs Johnson II as a top contender bout. |
| 2018-01-20 | Daniel Cormier | WIN | Volkan Oezdemir | Cormier moves up to heavyweight then retires. |
| 2021-10-30 | Glover Teixeira | WIN | Jan Blachowicz | Top contender match |
| 2022-06-12 | Jiri Prochazka | WIN | Glover Teixeira |
38 Comments
Now let’s talk about Tito Ortiz, who today is still the 2nd longest defending “Lineal Champion” @205 2nd to only Jon Jones. Tito’s record is under (May Be At Threat) by DC depending what happens with Jon & looks like the belt might be given back to DC. But you have erased DC in the past? But with Tito yes he should have fought his then friend (Chuck Liddell) win or lose, I’m sure even he wishes he had now. But why is he STILL MISSING FROM YOUR CHAMPIONS LIST? He can even be easily found on UFC.com (which had tried to delete him) but since his re-retirement this time from Bellator he even shows up on UFC shows including “UFC Top10” Title Reigns as #9 But still NOT on your sight WHY???
NC does not count as a defense. But with this whole 205 lineage in general… damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
Jones is still the lineal champion for my money.
The belt should only become vacant if the champion goes 18 months+ without defending. Jones has never done that.
Jones vs Cormier was an NC, not a DQ, so that counts as another defense for Jones.
Also, the lineage should only start over when the number 1 fights the number 2.
NC does not count as a defense. But with this whole 205 lineage in general… damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
Jones is still the lineal champion for my money.
The belt should only become vacant if the champion goes 18 months+ without defending. Jones has never done that.
Jones vs Cormier was an NC, not a DQ, so that counts as another defense for Jones.
Also, the lineage should only start over when the number 1 fights the number 2.
As for Tito, you seem to be confusing the UFC title with the world lineal MMA title – this list is the latter. The UFC lineage resumed with Ortiz-Silva after Shamrock left UFC and subsequently retired for the first time. We don’t recognize this as a world lineage fight as it was #3 vs #8 at the time (http://www.fightmatrix.com/historical-mma-rankings/generated-historical-rankings/?Issue=42&Division=2)
An argument could be made for restarting the lineage with Ortiz-Silva or Ortiz-Kondo, but we kept it vacant until Ortiz-Couture, which was the only #1 vs #2 fight since Shamrock’s retirement (http://www.fightmatrix.com/historical-mma-rankings/generated-historical-rankings/?Issue=55&Division=2).
Tito not fighting Liddell is neither here nor there… though if they had fought earlier the lineage should have restarted with that fight as it would have been #1 vs #2 or #3, depending on when it would have happened.
I don’t know what to do about the Jones lineage, and I’m not sure what you’re suggesting we should do either.
The Tyson comparison is not valid. Tyson lost the lineal title to Buster Douglas and never regained it. There was no lineage to erase or rewrite when he went to prison.
I believe we jumped the gun with restarting the lineage with Cormier-Johnson after Jones’ car crash incident. Jones didn’t lose in the cage or on the scale. He didn’t lose period, and was only out for a little over a year. He had his first PED violation after coming back, but the outcome of OSP fight was not reversed. He still never lost to Cormier – even if the second fight changes to a No Contest, the first one had no controversy. I can’t justify just handing off the lineage to #2 because the champion did some dumb shit after the fight.
Now? I have no idea what to do. So far, he has not been stripped of the title by UFC and the fight outcome has not yet been reversed by CSAC. I guess let’s wait and see.
Now let’s talk about Tito Ortiz, who today is still the 2nd longest defending “Lineal Champion” @205 2nd to only Jon Jones. Tito’s record is under (May Be At Threat) by DC depending what happens with Jon & looks like the belt might be given back to DC. But you have erased DC in the past? But with Tito yes he should have fought his then friend (Chuck Liddell) win or lose, I’m sure even he wishes he had now. But why is he STILL MISSING FROM YOUR CHAMPIONS LIST? He can even be easily found on UFC.com (which had tried to delete him) but since his re-retirement this time from Bellator he even shows up on UFC shows including “UFC Top10” Title Reigns as #9 But still NOT on your sight WHY???
As for Tito, you seem to be confusing the UFC title with the world lineal MMA title – this list is the latter. The UFC lineage resumed with Ortiz-Silva after Shamrock left UFC and subsequently retired for the first time. We don’t recognize this as a world lineage fight as it was #3 vs #8 at the time (http://www.fightmatrix.com/historical-mma-rankings/generated-historical-rankings/?Issue=42&Division=2)
An argument could be made for restarting the lineage with Ortiz-Silva or Ortiz-Kondo, but we kept it vacant until Ortiz-Couture, which was the only #1 vs #2 fight since Shamrock’s retirement (http://www.fightmatrix.com/historical-mma-rankings/generated-historical-rankings/?Issue=55&Division=2).
Tito not fighting Liddell is neither here nor there… though if they had fought earlier the lineage should have restarted with that fight as it would have been #1 vs #2 or #3, depending on when it would have happened.
I don’t know what to do about the Jones lineage, and I’m not sure what you’re suggesting we should do either.
The Tyson comparison is not valid. Tyson lost the lineal title to Buster Douglas and never regained it. There was no lineage to erase or rewrite when he went to prison.
I believe we jumped the gun with restarting the lineage with Cormier-Johnson after Jones’ car crash incident. Jones didn’t lose in the cage or on the scale. He didn’t lose period, and was only out for a little over a year. He had his first PED violation after coming back, but the outcome of OSP fight was not reversed. He still never lost to Cormier – even if the second fight changes to a No Contest, the first one had no controversy. I can’t justify just handing off the lineage to #2 because the champion did some dumb shit after the fight.
Now? I have no idea what to do. So far, he has not been stripped of the title by UFC and the fight outcome has not yet been reversed by CSAC. I guess let’s wait and see.
Let’s start with Jon Jones you can lose the Belt inside & outside the ring including on the scale. To continue Jon’s “Lineal” Tital is BS & condones his Bad behavior. Specially with Kon fighting OSP NOT the current Champ DC. So to erase his Lineal championship & wins while Jon was gone? [SHOULD THEY HAVE DONE THE SAME WHILE MIKE TYSON WAS IN PRISON & WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP WHEN HE ALSO RETURNED?] NO & I’m a Big Tyson fan he lost prime years. Also with Jon’s latest Drug test coming up dirty just proves my point. (We’ll Have To See How Things Work Out But Looks Like Belt Will Go Back To DC & Jon Will Lose MORE Of His Prime Years)…
Let’s start with Jon Jones you can lose the Belt inside & outside the ring including on the scale. To continue Jon’s “Lineal” Tital is BS & condones his Bad behavior. Specially with Kon fighting OSP NOT the current Champ DC. So to erase his Lineal championship & wins while Jon was gone? [SHOULD THEY HAVE DONE THE SAME WHILE MIKE TYSON WAS IN PRISON & WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP WHEN HE ALSO RETURNED?] NO & I’m a Big Tyson fan he lost prime years. Also with Jon’s latest Drug test coming up dirty just proves my point. (We’ll Have To See How Things Work Out But Looks Like Belt Will Go Back To DC & Jon Will Lose MORE Of His Prime Years)…
Will be updated this evening.
Continue with Jones’ lineage
Will be updated this evening.
Continue with Jones’ lineage
UFC title is not the same as the lineal title.
UFC title is not the same as the lineal title.
Jon Jones had to vacate his belt with the suspension. Cormier isn’t just an interim champ
Jon Jones had to vacate his belt with the suspension. Cormier isn’t just an interim champ
I don’t understand, didn’t Tito fight Wanderlei in 2000 for the vacant belt that Frank vacated (due to ‘lack of competition’)? Tito ended up losing to Randy anyways so it really was not a ‘top contender match’ when Tito was the champion. I am reiterating what others are saying but I think its only fair seeing that there was no other 205-lb champion from 2000-2003 that I know of.
I don’t understand, didn’t Tito fight Wanderlei in 2000 for the vacant belt that Frank vacated (due to ‘lack of competition’)? Tito ended up losing to Randy anyways so it really was not a ‘top contender match’ when Tito was the champion. I am reiterating what others are saying but I think its only fair seeing that there was no other 205-lb champion from 2000-2003 that I know of.
Where Is TITO ORTIZ 5 Lineal Championships? Whether You Love Or Hate The Guy He Did Help Build & Promote This Great Sport…
You Cant Click On His Name Or Stats On The UFC.COM Website & Now They’ve Even Tooken Him Down Of The UFC HOF Page. With All The Problems With HEN & RANDY Their Still On Their.
This Is Petty If DANA’s Rich Ass Has This Much Influence? To Buy Out Great Growing Successful Competitors & Only Keeping The Guys & Now Girls That Have Names To Make Money Off Of. I They Can Now Affect Websites The Same Way Will Lose What Respect Is Left.
P.S.—PAY THE FIGHTER WHAT THEY DESERVE ALL OF THEM…
DANA Has Personally Made Over $100Million Off OF UFC FIGHTERS. There’s Been Over A 1000 UFC Fighters & Under 20 Have Made A Million Dollars???
Where Is TITO ORTIZ 5 Lineal Championships? Whether You Love Or Hate The Guy He Did Help Build & Promote This Great Sport…
You Cant Click On His Name Or Stats On The UFC.COM Website & Now They’ve Even Tooken Him Down Of The UFC HOF Page. With All The Problems With HEN & RANDY Their Still On Their.
This Is Petty If DANA’s Rich Ass Has This Much Influence? To Buy Out Great Growing Successful Competitors & Only Keeping The Guys & Now Girls That Have Names To Make Money Off Of. I They Can Now Affect Websites The Same Way Will Lose What Respect Is Left.
P.S.—PAY THE FIGHTER WHAT THEY DESERVE ALL OF THEM…
DANA Has Personally Made Over $100Million Off OF UFC FIGHTERS. There’s Been Over A 1000 UFC Fighters & Under 20 Have Made A Million Dollars???
WHAT ABOUT THE LHW TITLE MATCHES IN 2000 Tito Ortiz vs Wanderlei Silva, 2000 Yuki Kondo, 2001 vs Even Tanner 2001 vs Elvis Sinosic 2001 Vladimir Matyushenko & 2002 vs Ken Shamrock??? Whatever You Think Of TITO The Fights Happened.
This Was Prob The Doing Of DANA White The SCAB There’s Always Another Fighter To Ride He Road Tito’s As Manager To Get Into The UFC. Now He Doesn’t Pay The Fighters What They Deserve Because There’s Always Another One To Take There Place.
Now He Riding Ronda & Baby Here To Keep Here Happy She’s A Bitch In Real Life & Has Only Got Worse With the Money & The Fame…
WHAT ABOUT THE LHW TITLE MATCHES IN 2000 Tito Ortiz vs Wanderlei Silva, 2000 Yuki Kondo, 2001 vs Even Tanner 2001 vs Elvis Sinosic 2001 Vladimir Matyushenko & 2002 vs Ken Shamrock??? Whatever You Think Of TITO The Fights Happened.
This Was Prob The Doing Of DANA White The SCAB There’s Always Another Fighter To Ride He Road Tito’s As Manager To Get Into The UFC. Now He Doesn’t Pay The Fighters What They Deserve Because There’s Always Another One To Take There Place.
Now He Riding Ronda & Baby Here To Keep Here Happy She’s A Bitch In Real Life & Has Only Got Worse With the Money & The Fame…
I know Tito has problems with Dana in the UFC but why does this LHW Championship list only show his 3 Title losses & Not his 5 consecutive Title Defenses Wins???
I know Tito has problems with Dana in the UFC but why does this LHW Championship list only show his 3 Title losses & Not his 5 consecutive Title Defenses Wins???
Yeah, the UFC 25 fight with Tito and Wanderlei should have been the ‘top contender match,’ not the Randy fight three years after Frank’s retirement.
Yeah, the UFC 25 fight with Tito and Wanderlei should have been the ‘top contender match,’ not the Randy fight three years after Frank’s retirement.
You miss-spelled Gustafsson.
You miss-spelled Gustafsson.
Nice theory, but only matches within the weight class count towards the lineal title…
Nice theory, but only matches within the weight class count towards the lineal title…
Frank<Renzo<Matt Hughes<bj penn<nick Diaz<condit<GSP
Gsp is the lineal light heavyweight champ
Frank<Renzo<Matt Hughes<bj penn<nick Diaz<condit<GSP
Gsp is the lineal light heavyweight champ
Where is Tito Ortiz in the list of Lt. HWT champs and his 5 title defenses?
Where is Tito Ortiz in the list of Lt. HWT champs and his 5 title defenses?