The lightweight division in mixed martial arts contains different weight classes:

• The UFC's lightweight division, which groups competitors within 146 to 155 lb (66 to 70 kg)
• The Shooto lightweight division, which limits competitors to 145 lb (65.8 kg)
• The ONE Championship's lightweight division, with an upper limit at 77.1 kg (170.0 lb)
• The Road FC's lightweight division, with an upper limit at 154 lb (70 kg)

Ambiguity and clarification

For the sake of uniformity, most American mixed martial arts media outlets consider Lightweight competitors to be between 146 and 155 lb (66 and 70 kg). This encompasses The Shooto Welterweight division (154 lb / 70 kg).

The UFC's lightweight division was reinstated at UFC 58 after falling into disuse following UFC 49. Sean Sherk, a former welterweight contender, defeated Kenny Florian at UFC 64, becoming the first UFC lightweight champion since 2002.

The lightweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission^[1] and the Association of Boxing Commissions^[2] is 155 lb (70 kg).

Professional champions

Current champions

This table last updated in February 2023.

Organization	Reign Began	Champion	Record	Defenses
UFC	October 22, 2022	Islam Makhachev	24–1	1
Bellator MMA	November 18, 2022	Usman Nurmagomedov	17-0	1
ONE Championship	August 26, 2022	Christian Lee	17-4	0
ACA	September 19, 2020	Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov	18-2	0
Cage Warriors	June 25, 2021	Joe McColgan	8-3-1	0
Fight Nights Global		Vacant
KSW	December 19, 2020	Marian Ziółkowski	23-8-1	1
Road FC	May 18, 2019	Mansour Barnaoui	19-4	0
Titan FC		Vacant
Legacy Fighting Alliance		Nupur Paliwal

Most wins in lightweight title bouts

Note: the list includes wins in bouts for lightweight titles of major promotions (UFC, Strikeforce, WEC, Bellator)

Note: the list includes both undisputed and interim champions

  Active title reign

	Name	Promotion	Title bout wins
1.	Gilbert Melendez	WEC, Strikeforce	10 (1 WEC, 9 Strikeforce)
2.	Benson Henderson	WEC, UFC	7 (3 WEC, 4 UFC)
3.	Michael Chandler	Bellator	5
4.	B.J. Penn	UFC	4
	Khabib Nurmagomedov	UFC
	Eddie Alvarez	Bellator, UFC	4 (3 Bellator, 1 UFC)
5.	Jens Pulver	UFC	3
	Gabe Ruediger	WEC
	Hermes Franca	WEC
	Jamie Varner	WEC
	Frankie Edgar	UFC	3 (+1a)
	Anthony Pettis	WEC, UFC	3 (1 WEC, 2 UFC)
6.	Sean Sherk	UFC	2
	Rob McCullough	WEC
	Rafael dos Anjos	UFC
	Charles Oliveira	UFC
	Usman Nurmagomedov	Bellator

Most consecutive defenses of lightweight title

	Name	Promotion	Consecutive title defenses
1.	Gilbert Melendez	Strikeforce	4
2.	B.J. Penn	UFC	3
3.	Khabib Nurmagomedov	UFC	3