The names of the longest reigning champions in UFC history are all current or future hall of famers: Demetrious Johnson, Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Valentina Shevchenko and Jose Aldo. Those six had title reigns with at least seven successful title defenses, but — at least for now — the days of champions having lengthy runs with the belt around their waist seem to be numbered.
Alexander Volkanovski is the only reigning champion with more than one successful title defense (five), as belts have changed hands or been left behind (Amanda Nunes) in five of the last seven pay-per-views. Five current champions — hello, Sean Strickland — have zero title defenses. And three of the UFC’s 12 weight classes are currently vacant. (Goodbye women’s bantamweight?)
As we turn to the fall schedule, there are three confirmed title bouts with two current champs — Alexa Grasso and Islam Makhachev — trying to carve out their legacy. In the case of the third…
