UFC Light heavyweight division is a weight class in mixed martial arts, which generally refers to competitors weighing from 186 to 205 lb (84 to 93 kg). It sits between the lighter middleweight division and the heavyweight division. The light heavyweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the Association of Boxing Commissions is 206 lb (93 kg).

TOP 10 UFC LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHTS

10 ANTHONY JOHNSON 

Anthony Johnson is an American mixed martial artist currently competing for Bellator MMA in the light heavyweight division. He has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Johnson is known for his one-punch knockout power. Johnson was the no.1 ranked light heavyweight contender in official UFC rankings and was ranked no.2 in the world by Sherdog and ESPN, before his retirement in April 2017. He later came out of retirement in May 2021, defeating Jose Augusto by knockout.

9 ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON

Alexander is a Swedish professional mixed martial artist. Gustafsson currently competes in the heavyweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Gustafsson spent a major part of his MMA career in the Light Heavyweight division of the UFC, where he became a top contender and fought for the title three times. He is often regarded as one of the best mixed martial artists never to have won a UFC Championship.

8 FORREST GRIFFIN 

Forest Griffin is an American retired mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Griffin, a former Georgia police officer, first rose to prominence after winning the first season of The Ultimate Fighter. In the tournament finals, he defeated Stephan Bonnar, which is widely credited as sparking the success of the UFC.

7 DAN HENDERSON

Dan Henderson is an American retired mixed martial artist and Olympic wrestler, who last competed as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was the last Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and was the last Welterweight and Middleweight champion of Pride Fighting Championships. Henderson was the Brazil Open ’97 Tournament Champion, the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament Champion, the Rings: King of Kings 1999 Tournament Champion, and the Pride Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion. Henderson also challenged for the UFC Middleweight Championship (2x), the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, and the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship.

6 RASHAD EVANS

Rashad Evans is an American mixed martial artist. Evans started his professional career in 2003, he was the Heavyweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2 and is also a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and a 2019 inductee of the UFC Hall of Fame.

5 LYOTO MACHIDA 

Lyoto Machida who is known as The Dragon is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and karateka. He is currently signed with Bellator MMA, competing in the Light heavyweight division. Machida formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, as well as a UFC Middleweight Championship title challenger.

4 QUINTON JACKSON

Quinton is an American mixed martial artist, actor, and former professional wrestler. He most recently fought in the Bellator MMA and won the Bellator MMA: Season Ten Light Heavyweight Tournament. He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and unified the Pride Middleweight Championship belt. Due to his eccentric personality and aggressive fighting style, Jackson became a star in Japan. During his tenure with Pride FC, and following his move to the UFC, he helped pioneer MMA’s growth into a worldwide sport.

3 CHUCK LIDDELL

Chuck Liddell is an American former mixed martial artist who was the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Liddell had 23 fights in the UFC. He is widely credited with bringing MMA into the mainstream of American sports and entertainment. On July 10, 2009, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

2 DANIEL CORMIER 

DC is an American former professional mixed martial artist, amateur wrestler, and commentator for the UFC. He is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion. Cormier is the second fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously and is the first to defend titles in two divisions. As an international wrestler, Cormier was a six-time US World or Olympic Team Member, a World bronze medalist, a World Cup runner-up, a Pan American Games gold medalist (bronze in 2007), and a two-time Pan American champion. Before competing in the UFC, Cormier was the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion and King of the Cage Heavyweight Champion. He holds the distinction of having won a world championship belt in every promotion for which he has fought.

1 JON JONES

Jon Jones is an American professional mixed martial artist currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he competes in the light heavyweight division. He is a former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, holding the title from March 2011 to April 2015 and from December 2018 to August 2020. Jones also held the interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in 2016. 

Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history with his title victory over Maurício Rua at age 23. He holds many UFC records in the light heavyweight division, including the most title defenses, most wins, longest win streak, and most submission victories. During much of his championship reign, Jones has been widely considered to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.