Alexander Volkanovski looking to become just fifth UFC Champ Champ and join Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo with win over Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovksi has the chance to write his name in the history books tonight as he challenges Islam Makhachev at UFC 284.
Featherweight champion Volkanovski has gone up in weight to fight for the lightweight belt in what is only the sport’s seventh champion vs champion bout ever.
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If he beats Makhachev in his home country, he will become the fifth UFC fighter ever to hold two belts at two different weights.
The Australian has the opportunity to join some of the greats by gaining the champ champ tag on what could be a historic night in the UFC.
UFC’s Champ Champs
Conor McGregor
McGregor began his reign in December 2015 when he pulled off one of the most iconic knockouts in the UFC.
He defeated Jose Aldo within just 13 seconds to become the featherweight champion and less than a year later, he took his success up to the lightweight division.
‘The Notorious’ beat Eddie Alvarez to earn the lightweight title and become the first-ever fighter to hold UFC titles in different divisions at the same time.
It was that night at UFC 205 that the term ‘champ champ’ was created.
Daniel Cormier
The second fighter to achieve this feat was Cormier who claimed the first of his two titles in 2015 against Anthony Johnson.
‘DC’ beat Johnson to win the light heavyweight championship and, for various reasons, he held onto it for three years while also claiming another.
At UFC 226, Cormier moved up to the heavyweight division and defeated Stipe Miocic to become the second-ever champ champ.
He then defended his belt against Derrick Lewis before vacating the light heavyweight belt in 2018 and losing the heavyweight title to Miocic in 2019.
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Amanda Nunes
Nunes was the first female to become a champ champ after knocking out Cris Cyborg in the first round of their fight in 2018.
The Brazilian became the women’s featherweight champion, adding the title to her women’s bantamweight belt which she won two years earlier.
A win by submission against Miesha Tate earned her the bantamweight championship in 2016, a title which she has defended five times.
She also defended her featherweight title once with all her title fight victories making her joint-sixth for most title fight victories in UFC history.
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Henry Cejudo
The most recent fighter to become a champ champ was Cejudo who first beat Demetrious Johnson by split decision in a rematch at UFC 227.
The win against Johnson meant he became the flyweight champion and he defended that title by defeating TJ Dillashaw within 32 seconds.
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Less than a year after defending his title, the Olympic gold medalist aimed to add the bantamweight belt to his collection.
Cejudo fought Marlon Moraes for the vacant title and won to become the fourth fighter to hold two belts in different divisions before retiring in 2020.
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