LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY 185-205 pounds *******************   Frank Shamrock defeated Igor Zinoviev by KO (Slam), at UFC 16 - Battle in the Bayou, MAR 13th, 1998 to become the first World Light Heavyweight Champion. (Frank Shamrock does not defend his title for nearly 3 years and the title is vacated. The new champion will be decided between the #1 and #2 LHW's in Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture)   Randy Couture defeated Tito Ortiz by Unaimous Decision, at UFC 44, SEP 26th, 2003 to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion.  Vitor Belfort defeated Randy Couture by TKO(Doctor Stoppage from an Eye Abrasion), at UFC 46, JAN 31st, 2004 to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion.   Randy Couture defeated Vitor Belfort by TKO (Referee stoppage on doctor's recommendation due to strikes), at UFC 49, AUG 21st, 2004 to become the 1st TWO-TIME World Light Heavyweight Champion.   Chuck Liddell defeated Randy Couture by KO (Punches) at UFC 52-Couture vs Liddell 2, APR 16th, 2005 to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion.   Quinton Jackson defeated Chuck Liddell by TKO (Punches) at UFC 71-Liddell vs. Jackson May 26th, 2007 to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion.   Forrest Griffin defeated Quinton Jackson by Decision (Unanimous) at UFC 86 - Jackson vs. Griffin July 5th, 2008 to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion.   Rashad Evans defeated Forrest Griffin by KO at UFC 92 - The Ultimate 2008 December 27th, 2008 to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion.   Lyoto Machida defeated Rashad Evans by KO at UFC 98 - Evans vs. Machida, May 23rd, 2009 to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion.   Mauricio Rua defeated Lyoto Machida by KO at UFC 113 - Machida vs. Shogun 2, May 8th, 2010 to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion.   Jon Jones defeated Mauricio Rua by TKO at UFC 128 - Shogun vs. Jones, March 19, 2011, to become the new World Light Heavyweight Champion. Go to: MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY |