Who is the youngest person to win a UFC title?

Last Modified Apr 6, 2023 04:54 GMT

Generally, UFC contenders reach the championship title at their prime, which means they should be both young and able to perform at their best. To become a champion at the youngest possible age, the fighter should balance his expertise and inexperience.

Who is the youngest person to win a UFC title?

Jon Jones, after winning his first UFC title at 23

Jon Jones is the youngest person to win a UFC title at 23.

Jones became the UFC light heavyweight champion by defeating the former champion Mauricio Rua via technical knockout on March 19, 2011.

‘Bones’ made his octagon debut at 20 in the division on August 9, 2008. Jones had 6 wins and 1 loss (disqualification due to an illegal elbow) in UFC before getting a shot at the light heavyweight championship.

Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is currently the UFC heavyweight champion with a professional record of 27 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no-contest.

Youngest fighters win a UFC title

Jose Aldo (24)

The UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo is the second youngest fighter to win a title at 24. Aldo was the World Extreme CageFighting featherweight champion which later merged with UFC, and Aldo was promoted to the featherweight champion of the UFC in 2010.

Josh Barnett (24)

Josh Barnett became the youngest UFC heavyweight champion by defeating the former champion Randy Couture via TKO at 24. Barnett was later stripped of the title due to a failed drug test.

The fight took place on March 22, 2002, at UFC 36 in Las Vegas, United States.

Carlos Newton (24)

Carlos Newton

The Canadian mixed martial artist became one of the youngest UFC fighters to win a title at 24.

On May 4, 2001, Carlos Newton submitted the former welterweight champion, Pat Miletich, via a bulldog choke in the third round and became one of the UFC’s youngest champions to win a title. His win against Miletich was voted among the greatest top 20 submissions in UFC’s history.

*Last updated on April 6, 2023.

FAQs

Jon Jones won the UFC light heavyweight at 23. 
Rosas Raul Jr. (18) is currently the youngest fighter in the UFC roaster. 
Khabib Nurmagomedov is an undefeated fighter in the UFC with a professional record of 29 wins and 0 losses. 

Related Stories

WATCH: Liam Harrison breaks down how to use push kicks to set up his blinding multi-shot Muay Thai combinations WATCH: Liam Harrison breaks down how to use push kicks to set up his blinding multi-shot Muay Thai combinations
WATCH: Liam Harrison breaks down how to use push kicks to set up his blinding multi-shot Muay Thai combinations
“I trained more on power” - Nong-O making sure he has the necessary tools to finish Kongthoranee in high-stakes rematch “I trained more on power” - Nong-O making sure he has the necessary tools to finish Kongthoranee in high-stakes rematch
“I trained more on power” - Nong-O making sure he has the necessary tools to finish Kongthoranee in high-stakes rematch
1d
ONE 173: Denice Zamboanga reveals her intense training regimen for title unification battle with Stamp Fairtex ONE 173: Denice Zamboanga reveals her intense training regimen for title unification battle with Stamp Fairtex
ONE 173: Denice Zamboanga reveals her intense training regimen for title unification battle with Stamp Fairtex
1d
FREE FULL FIGHT: Thai legend Nong-O Hama lights up Vietnam in electric Muay Thai back-and-forth with Brice Delval FREE FULL FIGHT: Thai legend Nong-O Hama lights up Vietnam in electric Muay Thai back-and-forth with Brice Delval
FREE FULL FIGHT: Thai legend Nong-O Hama lights up Vietnam in electric Muay Thai back-and-forth with Brice Delval
1d
“They deserve it” - Tye Ruotolo says he’s always down to give the fans the best possible show “They deserve it” - Tye Ruotolo says he’s always down to give the fans the best possible show
“They deserve it” - Tye Ruotolo says he’s always down to give the fans the best possible show
1d
Denice Zamboanga on choosing MMA over other sports: “A lot of people ask me why I chose this” Denice Zamboanga on choosing MMA over other sports: “A lot of people ask me why I chose this”
Denice Zamboanga on choosing MMA over other sports: “A lot of people ask me why I chose this”
1d
“I wanted the rematch” - Kongthoranee looks to end all arguments in second fight with Nong-O “I wanted the rematch” - Kongthoranee looks to end all arguments in second fight with Nong-O
“I wanted the rematch” - Kongthoranee looks to end all arguments in second fight with Nong-O
1d
“Everything went perfect” - Fabricio Andrade looks back on epic finish of Kwon Won Il “Everything went perfect” - Fabricio Andrade looks back on epic finish of Kwon Won Il
“Everything went perfect” - Fabricio Andrade looks back on epic finish of Kwon Won Il
1d
“I’ve been training with a lot of high-level guys” - Sean Climaco confident his experience will trump Akif Guluzada’s youth “I’ve been training with a lot of high-level guys” - Sean Climaco confident his experience will trump Akif Guluzada’s youth
“I’ve been training with a lot of high-level guys” - Sean Climaco confident his experience will trump Akif Guluzada’s youth 
1d
“He doesn't make a lot of mistakes” - Tye Ruotolo shares what he admires the most about challenger Dante Leon “He doesn't make a lot of mistakes” - Tye Ruotolo shares what he admires the most about challenger Dante Leon
“He doesn't make a lot of mistakes” - Tye Ruotolo shares what he admires the most about challenger Dante Leon
22h
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications