Since then, we’ve seen the best of MMA, with new contenders and champions introducing exciting and dynamic elements to the Octagon.
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In this article we will discuss the Modern Era heavyweight champions who excelled under the bright lights and highlight their title reigns, defenses, and the fights that made them UFC legends.
Reigning Modern Era Heavyweight Champions
Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski defeats Tim Sylvia in the first round of UFC 61 to claim the interim title, which is later upgraded to the full championship. Arlovski successfully defended his title twice, once against Justin Eilers and once against Paul Buentello.
Tim Sylvia (2006-2007)
Tim Sylvia knocks out Andrei Arlovski at UFC 59 and becomes the second man to regain the UFC heavyweight championship. Sylvia successfully defended his title against Arlovski and Jeff Monson.
Randy Couture (2007-2008)
Randy Couture defeats Tim Sylvia by unanimous decision to win the heavyweight title, in doing so he becomes the first man to win the heavyweight belt three times. Couture successfully defends the title against Gabriel Gonzaga.
Check Out Everything Happening In The UFC Heavyweight Division
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (2008)
After a period of inactivity by Randy Couture, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira defeats Tim Sylvia to become the interim UFC heavyweight champion at UFC 81.
Frank Mir (2008-2009)
Frank Mir wins the interim UFC heavyweight title with a knockout victory over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 92.
Brock Lesnar (2008-2010)
Brock Lesnar defeats Randy Couture at UFC 91 to win the UFC heavyweight title. Lesnar then defeats Frank Mir at UFC 100 by TKO to unify the heavyweight title. Lesnar successfully defended his belt versus Shane Carwin by submission at UFC 116.
Cain Velasquez (2010-2011)
Cain Velasquez defeats Brock Lesnar by first round TKO at UFC 121 to win the UFC heavyweight title.
Junior Dos Santos (2011-2012)
Junior Dos Santos defeats Cain Velasquez by first round KO at UFC on FOX 1 to win the heavyweight title. He later successfully defended the belt versus Frank Mir.
Cain Velasquez (2012-2015)
Cain Velasquez defeats Junior Dos Santos by decision at UFC 155 to reclaim the UFC heavyweight title. He successfully defends his title two more times, once against Antonio Silva and once against Junior Dos Santos.
Fabricio Werdum (2014-2016)
Fabricio Werdum defeats Mark Hunt at UFC 180 to win the interim title, then submits Cain Velasquez at UFC 188 to win the UFC heavyweight undisputed title.
Stipe Miocic (2016-2018)
Daniel Cormier completed the move up from light heavyweight to heavyweight, becoming simultaneous champion of both divisions by beating Stipe Miocic at UFC 226. “DC” successfully defended his title at UFC 230 against Derrick Lewis.
Stipe Miocic (2019-2022)
Stipe Miocic beats Daniel Cormier by fourth-round knockout to regain the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 241. Miocic defended his title in the trilogy fight with Cormier, beating him by decision at UFC 252.
Francis Ngannou (2021-2023)
Francis Ngannou defeats Stipe Miocic by knockout at UFC 260. Ngannou successfully defended his title versus UFC interim champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. The title was vacated in 2023.
Heavyweight Division History
The UFC heavyweight division is the oldest weight class in the UFC. The weight class is iconic for its epic bouts and incredible champions such as Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, and Stipe Miocic.
Although we focused on the UFC Modern Era champions, the heavyweight title lineage began with UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman back in 1997.
In January 2023 title holder Francis Ngannou left the UFC and, in doing so, vacated the heavyweight title.
Upcoming UFC Heavyweight Title Fights
UFC returns to T-Mobile Arena with one of the biggest fights in UFC history as No. 1 ranked heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane and former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones collide in a Super Fight for the vacant undisputed heavyweight title.
UFC 285: JONES vs. GANE takes place Saturday, March 4 in Las Vegas with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be seen on ESPN, ESPNNEWS and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the night’s action starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with Early Prelims on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and UFC Fight Pass.
Reasons To Watch UFC 285: Jones vs Gane
Jones (26-1, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) returns to the Octagon for the first time since February 2020 with his sights set on cementing himself as the greatest of all-time. Considered by many to be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in all of MMA, he holds the UFC records for most title fight wins (14), most light heavyweight wins (20) and the longest light heavyweight win streak (13). Jones now plans to make a statement against Gane and secure a second divisional crown for his legacy.
Former interim UFC heavyweight champion Gane (11-1, fighting out of Paris, France) intends to make the most of his second shot at gold by delivering a career-defining performance. A high-level striker, Gane has entertained fans with impressive knockouts of Tai Tuivasa, Derrick Lewis and former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos. He now aims to add his name to the history books by becoming the first man to finish Jones.
