UFC featherweight title history: Volkanovski, Holloway, Topuria and more
The featherweight title is on the line Saturday in the UFC 308 main event when Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) puts his belt up for the first time when he takes on former champ Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC).
Take a look at a chronological history of the UFC’s 145-pound title, which migrated over from the WEC in 2010 when the promotions merged.
Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo
Date: Nov. 20, 2010
Event: UFC 123
Opponent: N/A
Total reign: 1.848 days
Title defenses: Mark Hominick, Kenny Florian, Chad Mendes, Frankie Edgar, Chan Sung Jung, Ricardo Lamas, Chad Mendes
Conor McGregor (interim)
Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Chad Mendes (not pictured) in their interim featherweight title bout during UFC 189 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. McGregor won via second round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Date: July 11, 2015
Event: UFC 189
Opponent: Chad Mendes
Total reign: N/A
Title defenses: None
Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor after knocking out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194.
Date: Dec. 12, 2015
Event: UFC 194
Opponent: Joe Aldo
Total reign: 350 days
Title defenses: None (stripped of title)
Jose Aldo (interim)
Jose Aldo
Date: July 9, 2016
Event: UFC 200
Opponent: Frankie Edgar
Total reign: N/A
Title defenses: None
Jose Aldo
May 11, 2019; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Jose Aldo (red gloves) reacts to fight against Alexander Volkanovski (blue gloves) during UFC 237 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Date: Nov. 26, 2016
Event: N/A
Opponent: N/A
Total reign: 189 days
Title defenses: None
Max Holloway (interim)
Max Holloway
Date: Dec. 10, 2016
Event: UFC 206
Opponent: Anthony Pettis
Total reign: N/A
Title defenses: None
Max Holloway
Max Holloway
Date: June 3, 2017
Event: UFC 212
Opponent: Jose Aldo
Total reign: 925 days
Title defenses: Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega, Frankie Edgar
Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski, UFC 245
Date: Dec. 14, 2019
Event: UFC 245
Opponent: Max Holloway
Total reign: 1,526 days
Title defenses: Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, Chan Sung Jung, Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez
Yair Rodriguez (interim)
Feb 12, 2023; Perth, WA, AUSTRALIA; Yair Rodriguez (red gloves) is interviewed after defeating Josh Emmett (not pictured) during UFC 284 at RAC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports
Date: Feb. 12, 2023
Event: UFC 284
Opponent: Josh Emmett
Total reign: N/A
Title defenses: None
Ilia Topuria
Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria celebrates his championship victory against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Date: Feb. 17, 2024
Event: UFC 298
Opponent: Yair Rodriguez
Total reign: Incumbent
Title defenses: None