Changing of the guard: Every new UFC champion crowned in 2025

Key Highlights

• The previous highest total was eight, which occurred in 2016 and 2017. Three fighters became two-time champions in 2025.
• The record is four, which occurred in 2022. Two fighters became two-division champions in 2025. One fighter defended a title in one weight class and won a title in another. Two fighters became champions and lost their title in 2025. One fighter was elevated from interim to undisputed status without competing. Two fighters attempted to defend their newly acquired title: Magomed Ankalaev lost a rematch against Alex Pereira, and Jack Della Maddalena lost to Islam Makhachev. Mackenzie Dern, women's strawweightZhang Weili, who was attempting to chase two-divisional greatness, created an opportunity for someone to capture the vacant women's strawweight title, and that person would be Mackenzie Dern. Dern (16-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) began her year with a third-round submission win over Amanda Ribas in January.
• In October at UFC 321, a vacant title opportunity presented itself, and Dern faced Virna Jandiroba for a career-defining chance.
• After 25 minutes, Dern was declared the winner unanimously in Abu Dhabi. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJoshua Van, men's flyweightJoshua Van, UFC 323While it may not have been in the manner he wanted, Joshua Van made good on his championship promise. At UFC 323, Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) faced long-reigning flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
• The fight lasted only 26 seconds and ended abruptly due to an injury to Pantoja.