In the world of UFC, champions reign supreme as the most dominant fighters in their divisions. Yet, the throne is never secure, as champions are inevitably dethroned. The cycle of power shifts either at the hands of a younger, more determined challenger or an equally skilled peer. Once a champion loses their title, they face a crossroads: either climb back up the ranks for a title shot or push for an immediate rematch. The latter, while commonly sought, is seldom granted by the organization.
When a former champion’s immediate rematch request is denied, they sometimes consider changing weight divisions in search of new opportunities. B.J. Penn, for example, was the UFC’s first two-division champion, though not simultaneously. After losing the lightweight title to Frankie Edgar and failing to reclaim it in a rematch, Penn returned to welterweight. His victory over Matt Hughes was impressive, but it didn’t herald a new era of dominance, and he eventually experienced a significant decline in his career.
Frankie Edgar, known for his tenacity, also faced challenges as a champion. Despite being undersized, he held the lightweight title until Benson Henderson took it from him. After a failed attempt to win it back, Edgar moved down to featherweight, where he faced the legendary José Aldo. Despite a valiant effort, Edgar could not secure the featherweight crown and spent several years in the division before retiring at bantamweight.
Rose Namajunas, a two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion, chose not to pursue an immediate rematch after her last title loss. Her disappointing performance against Carla Esparza led to a period of reflection and ultimately a move to the flyweight division. Although she lost her debut fight against Manon Fiorot, Namajunas showed a competitive spirit that kept her in the 125-pound category.
Deiveson Figueiredo once dominated the flyweight division, but after a series of fights with Brandon Moreno, he found himself without the belt. Seeking a fresh start, Figueiredo moved up to bantamweight, where he didn’t have to endure a strenuous weight cut. His bantamweight debut was a success, as he secured victories over Rob Font and a former champion at UFC 300.
Aljamain Sterling’s tenure as bantamweight champion was marked by controversy and lackluster defenses, which failed to endear him to fans. After losing the title to Sean O’Malley, it was clear that an immediate rematch was unlikely. Instead of waiting for a chance that might never come, Sterling moved up to featherweight. At UFC 300, he faced Calvin Kattar and used his wrestling and grappling skills to secure a convincing victory in his new division.
