You ever blink and miss a title reign?
No glory run. No epic rivalry. No long list of defenses. Just a moment in the spotlight… and then poof, gone.
In the unpredictable world of MMA, some title reigns are so brief they barely register in the history books. Whether it was bad timing, brutal matchups, or just plain weird circumstances, these champions held the belt for a hot minute—and then watched it slip away just as quickly.
Today, we’re breaking down the shortest UFC title reigns in MMA history. Some of these stories are tragic, others hilarious… and a few? Let’s just say the belt never really belonged there.
10. Johny Hendricks – From Almost-GOAT to Almost-Forgotten
Johny Hendricks came this close to beating Georges St-Pierre at UFC 167. Many fans thought he did. But when GSP vacated the title afterward, it finally gave Hendricks his shot.
At UFC 171, he beat Robbie Lawler in an absolute war and claimed the welterweight throne.
But then… shoulder surgery. Out for almost a year. In the rematch with Lawler, Hendricks lost a close decision—and his belt. Over the next few years, he struggled with weight cuts and performance, going just 2-5 in his next seven fights.
Reign length: 266 days
Defenses: 0
9. Vitor Belfort – The Most Accidental Champion Ever?
In 2004, Vitor Belfort won the light heavyweight title in the most bizarre way. At UFC 46, he landed a punch that accidentally sliced Randy Couture’s eyelid open due to glove stitching. The doctor stopped the fight just a minute in.
Belfort looked stunned in victory. Couture returned for a rematch months later and dominated him.
Reign length: 203 days
Defenses: 0
8. Carlos Newton – Canada’s Forgotten Champion
Before GSP, there was Carlos Newton—Canada’s first UFC champ. He beat Pat Miletich with a bulldog choke at UFC 31.
But in his first defense at UFC 34, he faced Matt Hughes. Newton had him in a triangle choke against the cage… Hughes lifted him and slammed him unconscious. Whether Hughes was out or not during the slam remains controversial.
Reign length: 183 days
Defenses: 0
7. Forrest Griffin – The People’s Champ, Briefly
Forrest Griffin shocked the world by beating Rampage Jackson at UFC 86 to win the light heavyweight title. But the decision was controversial, and just five months later, Rashad Evans stopped him via TKO in the third round.
It wasn’t a long reign, but Forrest helped spark a golden era for the UFC.
Reign length: 175 days
Defenses: 0
6. Germaine de Randamie – The Champ Who Refused to Fight
Germaine made history as the first women’s featherweight champ after beating Holly Holm at UFC 208. But when Cris Cyborg emerged as the clear next opponent, Germaine refused to fight her, citing past drug issues.
The UFC wasn’t having it. She was stripped after 128 days.
Reign length: 128 days
Defenses: 0
5. Eddie Alvarez – Double Champ Dreams, Short-Lived Reality
Eddie Alvarez made history by becoming the first man to win titles in both Bellator and the UFC. But after winning the UFC lightweight title from Rafael dos Anjos, he was fed to Conor McGregor at UFC 205.
McGregor dominated him at Madison Square Garden, finishing him in two rounds.
Reign length: 128 days
Defenses: 0
4. Josh Barnett – Champ… Until the Test Results Came In
Josh Barnett beat Randy Couture at UFC 36 to become the youngest UFC heavyweight champ at the time. But soon after, he tested positive for banned substances.
The UFC stripped him before he ever defended the belt.
Reign length: 126 days
Defenses: 0
3. Evan Tanner – More Than a Belt
Evan Tanner won the UFC middleweight title at UFC 51 by knocking out David Terrell. But his first defense didn’t go his way—Rich Franklin overwhelmed him and stopped him in round four.
Tanner’s story was always bigger than gold. He remains a cult hero in MMA circles for his spirit and authenticity.
Reign length: 119 days
Defenses: 0
2. Carla Esparza – Strawweight Pioneer, Run Over by a Bulldozer
Carla Esparza became the UFC’s first strawweight champion by winning The Ultimate Fighter finale. But just three months later, she met Joanna Jedrzejczyk—a force of nature who dismantled her in one of the most lopsided title fights in history.
Reign length: 92 days
Defenses: 0
1. Georges St-Pierre – The Greatest… and the Quickest?
GSP returned after four years off, jumped up to middleweight, and choked out Michael Bisping at UFC 217. He joined the exclusive two-division champion club.
Then? He vacated the title just 33 days later due to colitis and never fought at 185 again. One of the most epic comebacks ever—yet technically one of the shortest title reigns in UFC history.
Reign length: 33 days
Defenses: 0
MMA is a brutal, chaotic sport—and these short title reigns are proof that even the highest highs can vanish in an instant.
