A detailed timeline of every UFC champion since the start of the new millennium [UPDATED FEB 2024]
A list of every single UFC champion since the year 2000.
By Amy Kaplan
New UFC champions in 2003
Feb. 28 (UFC 41)
- Tim Sylvia won the UFC heavyweight title when he defeated Ricco Rodriguez.
- B.J. Penn and Caol Uno fought to a draw in the finale of a 4-man tournament for the vacant title.
June 6 – Randy Couture won the interim UFC light heavyweight title when he defeated Chuck Liddell at UFC 43.
Sept. 26 – Randy Couture won the UFC light heavyweight title when he defeated Tito Ortiz at UFC 44
Oct. 15 – Sylvia was stripped of the title after testing positive for anabolic steroids in a post-fight drug test.
New UFC champions in 2004
Jan. 31, 2004 (UFC 46)
- Vitor Belfor won the UFC light heavyweight title when he defeated Randy Couture.
- B.J. Penn won the UFC welterweight title when he defeated Matt Hughes.
May 17 – B.J. Penn was stripped of his welterweight title when he left the UFC for K-1
June 19 – Frank Mir won the UFC heavyweight title when he defeated Tim Sylvia at UFC 48.
Aug. 21 – Randy Couture won the UFC light heavyweight title when he defeated Vitor Belfort at UFC 49.
Oct. 22 – Matt Hughes won the vacant UFC welterweight title when he defeated Georges St-Pierre at UFC 50.