Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC): The Premier Mixed Martial Arts Organization

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the world’s leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in November 1993 by WOW Promotions and Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG), the UFC has evolved from a controversial tournament-style event into a global powerhouse, captivating millions with elite fighters, high-stakes drama, and innovative production. Whether you're searching for UFC events, UFC rankings, UFC champions, or UFC history, this comprehensive guide covers everything from iconic milestones to the latest updates as of October 2025.

UFC History and Evolution

The UFC launched with UFC 1: The Beginning on November 12, 1993, in Denver, Colorado, featuring an open-weight tournament that showcased raw combat without rules. By 1995, SEG took full ownership amid growing scrutiny. Post-UFC 5 backlash in 1994, the promotion introduced time limits, referee stand-ups for stalled action, and judges for scoring draws, prioritizing fighter safety and fairness.

The late 1990s brought regulatory hurdles: In 1996, Arizona Senator John McCain decried the UFC as "human cockfighting," leading to bans in 36 states. Pioneers like UFC Commissioner Jeff Blatnick and referee John McCarthy negotiated with State Athletic Commissions to implement unified rules, saving the sport.

Financial woes peaked in 2001 when SEG teetered on bankruptcy, selling to Zuffa LLC—founded by brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta—for just $2 million. A Nevada State Athletic Commission veteran, Lorenzo secured sanctioning in Nevada. Appointed UFC President, Dana White kicked off with UFC 30 and UFC 31 at Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal. The Fertittas' game-changer? The Ultimate Fighter reality series, which exploded MMA's mainstream appeal in 2005.

Women's MMA arrived at UFC 157 in 2013, headlined by Ronda Rousey as the inaugural bantamweight champion. Now, three women's divisions thrive, showcasing stars like Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili.

In 2016, Zuffa sold to Endeavor for $4.025 billion, with White staying on as President. The 2018 Disney-ESPN media rights deal supercharged global distribution via ESPN+ and PPV.

As of 2025, the UFC boasts over 700 events, billions in revenue, and a roster of 600+ fighters across 11 weight classes.

UFC Women’s Divisions

Pioneered by Rousey, women's MMA has flourished:

• Bantamweight (135 lbs): Champion Julianna Peña (regained October 2024 at UFC 307)
• Flyweight (125 lbs): Champion Valentina Shevchenko (2024–present)
• Strawweight (115 lbs): Champion Zhang Weili (2022–present)

Top UFC Pay-Per-View (PPV) Events

Conor McGregor dominates, with eight of the top 10. No major shifts in 2025 due to the UFC's transition to streaming models under a $7.7 billion Paramount deal ending traditional PPVs by late 2025.

Highest-Grossing UFC Gates

UFC 306 (2024) holds the record at $22 million at The Sphere, surpassing prior benchmarks. 2025 events like UFC 311 ($10.2M in California) and UFC Atlanta ($3.2M Fight Night) add to the list, but no new top-10 entrants displace the core rankings.

Current UFC Men’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings

Based on official UFC updates as of October 2025 (post-UFC 307), here's the top 15. Rankings reflect dominance, records, and recent performances. (Note: Exact records/streaks may vary slightly; these are synthesized from latest reports.)

1. Islam Makhachev (Lightweight, 26-1, 14-win streak, 3 defenses)
2. Alex Pereira (Light Heavyweight, 11-2, 5-win streak, 3 defenses) – Retained vs. Rountree at UFC 307
3. Jon Jones (Heavyweight, 27-1, 1 NC, 6-win streak, 1 defense)
4. Ilia Topuria (Featherweight, 15-0, 15-win streak, 1 defense)
5. Belal Muhammad (Welterweight, 24-3, 10-win streak, 1 defense)
6. Dricus Du Plessis (Middleweight, 22-2, 10-win streak, 2 defenses)
7. Merab Dvalishvili (Bantamweight, 18-4, 12-win streak, 1 defense)
8. Tom Aspinall (Heavyweight, Interim, 15-3, 7-win streak, 2 interim defenses)
9. Alexander Volkanovski (Featherweight, 26-4, 1-win streak, former champ)
10. Max Holloway (Featherweight, 26-7, 1-win streak, former champ, BMF)
11. Alexandre Pantoja (Flyweight, 28-5, 7-win streak, 3 defenses)
12. Sean Strickland (Middleweight, 29-6, 1-win streak, former champ)
13. Charles Oliveira (Lightweight, 34-10, 1-win streak, former champ)
14. Leon Edwards (Welterweight, 22-4, 1 NC, former champ)
15. Sean O’Malley (Bantamweight, 18-2, former champ)

Current UFC Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings

Top 15 as of October 2025, post-UFC 307 title change.

1. Zhang Weili (Strawweight, 25-3, 5-win streak, 2 defenses)
2. Valentina Shevchenko (Flyweight, 24-4-1, 2-win streak, 1 defense)
3. Julianna Peña (Bantamweight, 12-5, 1-win streak, 1 defense) – New champ vs. Pennington
4. Alexa Grasso (Flyweight, 17-4-1, 1-win streak, former champ)
5. Manon Fiorot (Flyweight, 12-1, 12-win streak)
6. Rose Namajunas (Strawweight, 13-6, 3-win streak, 2x former champ)
7. Raquel Pennington (Bantamweight, 16-9, 6-win streak, former champ)
8. Tatiana Suarez (Strawweight, 10-0, 10-win streak)
9. Erin Blanchfield (Flyweight, 13-2, 1-win streak)
10. Yan Xiaonan (Strawweight, 17-4, 1 NC, 1-win streak)
11. Kayla Harrison (Bantamweight, 18-1, 3-win streak)
12. Virna Jandiroba (Strawweight, 21-3, 5-win streak)
13. Jessica Andrade (Flyweight/Strawweight, 26-13, 1-win streak)
14. Natália Silva (Flyweight, 18-5-1, 13-win streak)
15. Amanda Lemos (Strawweight, 14-4-1, 1-win streak)

UFC Weight Classes and Champions

Updated post-UFC 307 (October 5, 2024; results carried into 2025 context).

Men’s Divisions:

• Heavyweight (206–265 lbs): Jon Jones (2023–present); Interim: Tom Aspinall (2023–present)
• Light Heavyweight (205 lbs): Alex Pereira (2023–present; defended vs. Rountree)
• Middleweight (185 lbs): Dricus Du Plessis (2024–present)
• Welterweight (170 lbs): Belal Muhammad (2024–present)
• Lightweight (155 lbs): Islam Makhachev (2022–present)
• Featherweight (145 lbs): Ilia Topuria (2024–present)
• Bantamweight (135 lbs): Merab Dvalishvili (2024–present)
• Flyweight (125 lbs): Alexandre Pantoja (2023–present)

Women’s Divisions:

• Bantamweight (135 lbs): Julianna Peña (2024–present)
• Flyweight (125 lbs): Valentina Shevchenko (2024–present)
• Strawweight (115 lbs): Zhang Weili (2022–present)

Recent UFC Events: UFC 307 Recap

UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree (October 5, 2024, Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT) delivered fireworks, marking the UFC's return to Utah. Key results:

• Main: Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree Jr. via TKO (Rd 4, 4:32) – Retained light heavyweight title.
• Co-Main: Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington via split decision – Regained bantamweight title in a grudge match.
• Other highlights: Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (featherweight thriller); Kevin Holland vs. Roman Dolidze (middleweight chaos).
  The event drew strong PPV numbers and set up 2025 rivalries, like Rountree vs. Jamahal Hill.

Upcoming UFC Events

With the PPV era winding down, focus shifts to ESPN+ and global Fight Nights. Key events post-October 2, 2025:

• UFC Fight Night (October 12, 2025, Las Vegas, NV) – Headliner TBD; prelims feature rising prospects.
• UFC Fight Night (October 19, 2025, Las Vegas, NV) – Potential welterweight clashes.
• UFC 308 (October 26, 2025, Abu Dhabi, UAE) – PPV flagship with title implications; rumored Makhachev defense.
• Later 2025: UFC 319 (August 16, Chicago, IL); UFC 320 (October 4, Las Vegas, NV).

Why the UFC Dominates MMA in 2025

From McGregor's PPV legacy to Pereira's knockout artistry and Peña's resilient comebacks, the UFC blends athletic excellence with storytelling. With record gates like UFC 311's $10.2M and streaming innovations, it's more accessible than ever. For live updates, tickets, and streams, head to ufc.com or follow @UFC on X. Search no more—your ultimate UFC hub is here!