5 longest UFC light heavyweight title reigns
Since becoming an established weight class, the UFC's light heavyweight division has consistently been among the best in the sport. Many Hall of Famers and legends have competed at 205lbs and have held the light heavyweight championship.
Some of the promotion’s biggest pay-per-view draws have fought at light heavyweight and relied on to headline events. The fighters delivered for the promotion and even benefited through the number of pay-per-view buys generated from their events. The division has consistently had a lot of depth and plenty of big non-title fights, such as Rashad Evans vs. 'Rampage' Jackson.
There was also an interesting time in the division as Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were dominant during the 2010s. They set a high standard for what it took to be successful. They were also the most successful light heavyweight champions in the promotion’s history. This list will look at the five longest light heavyweight title reigns in the UFC.
#5. Frank Shamrock – UFC light heavyweight champion (1997 - 2000)
Frank Shamrock’s light heavyweight title reign is one of the most underrated in UFC history. He won the promotion’s inaugural light heavyweight championship on December 21, 1997, and held it for a total of 703 days.
The ‘Lion’s Den’ standout made four successful title defenses during his light heavyweight title reign. Some of his wins included Jeremy Horn and Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz. In fact, his win over Ortiz still holds up today. It was his fourth and final title defense and is regarded by many as one of the promotion’s greatest title fights. Shamrock defeated ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ by fourth-round submission after forcing him to tap due to strikes.
After retaining against Ortiz, Shamrock vacated the title and left the promotion. He would add more gold to his resume as he later won the WEC light heavyweight and Strikeforce middleweight championships.