UFC Champions Frequency - How Often do the Champions Fight?

UFC champions are, without a doubt the most dominant in their field. They are the best of the best and can be relied upon to headline numbered cards in order to provide a marquee name at the top of the bill. The issue is, however, that they have more to lose than non-champions, meaning that the frequency in which they fight is often reduced in comparison to other fighters. They have nothing to prove and must face all comers, but those challengers must be ready to fight.

UFC 332 is just around the corner and yet, no main event has been announced thus far. There are only currently three of a possible 12 champions (including interim champions) booked… so why haven’t we got a main event yet? 

We take a look at the current champions and the frequency in which they fight using data supplied by Andy Hickey.

With no champion ready for UFC 332, I analyzed the fight frequency of all 12 champions since their UFC debut.

It's time to strip both Tom Aspinall & Kayla Harrison. pic.twitter.com/K0nsPv0ZGH

— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) September 2, 2026

Frequent Fighters

There’s one fighter since his UFC debut who stands out as fighting extremely frequently: Joshua Van. Having debuted in June 2023, he’s already had 11 UFC outings with a record of 10-1. He’s already made one defence of his title, having only won it in December of last year and is scheduled at UFC 331 to defend it again. He averages 3.4 fights per year, is exciting and marketable- everything you need in a UFC champion.

Sean Strickland is a difficult one to analyse. He joined the UFC in March 2014 and has had 25 UFC bouts, averaging two a year. Since being in the title picture, he’s had six fights in three years, keeping that average at two a year. 

Petr Yan, Mackenzie Dern and interim champion, Ciryl Gane all also average two fights a year, with Yan being the only one of these three with a fight currently booked. Another champion who averages two fights a year is light heavyweight champion, Carlos Ulberg. Debuting in March 2021, the 205lbs king has had 11 fights in five years. With that being said, that average is going to drop significantly as he hasn’t competed since April and is out with a long-term injury, keeping him on the sidelines.

Semi-Regular Outings

In an ideal world, a UFC champion would defend their belt two or three times a year depending on injuries, competition and company need.  

Featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski was relied upon multiple times to save cards, fill in at short notice and face all comers. Joining the UFC in 2016, Volk has had 18 fights in 10 years, averaging 1.8 fights a year. His output has been somewhat inconsistent, however. In his first full year, he had three fights. However, since losing to Islam Makhachev, he’s averaged just one fight a year. He only fought once in 2024, once in 2025 and once in 2026. He is, however, booked to face Movsar Evloev at UFC 333.

Flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko has been part of the UFC since December 2015 and has had an impressive 19 fights at an average of 1.8 fights per year. Reports suggest that she’s currently out with an injury and hasn’t competed since November 2025. We’re running the risk of the 125lbs champion not fighting in 2026. 

Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has been a member of the UFC roster since July 2017. In that time, he’s recorded 16 fights, and in every one of those fights he’s either fought for a belt, won the fight of the night or performance of the night. Box office. He averages 1.7 fights per year, although every one of those fights is must-watch. He’s fought twice in 2026, including his crowning moment, dominating on the White House lawn.

Islam Makhachev debuted in 2015 and has had 19 bouts at an average of 1.7 per year. On numerous occasions, he’s only fought once a year (2024/2026) and didn’t fight at all in 2020. With that being said, he rules himself out of fighting during Ramadan, which hinders his opportunities throughout the year. Now he’s fighting at welterweight, and he doesn’t have to cut as much weight; the chances are there for him to fight more often.

The infrequent two

The two least frequent champions are two fighters with serious injuries. Kayla Harrison has only been a part of the UFC for two years and in that time has managed just three fights. As things stand, she hasn’t fought since June 2025 and will likely be out for the entirety of 2026. She’s suffered an injury in the build-up to UFC 324, which has kept her out of action. The cut to 135lbs is brutal for Harrison and at 36, she hasn’t got long left in the game. Averaging a fight every nine and a half months isn’t enough for such a big star. 

The other infrequent champion is Tom Aspinall. Granted, the heavyweight champion has been out for a prolonged period of time with an eye injury, suffered at the fingers of Ciryl Gane. Debuting in July 2020, the Brit has had just 10 bouts, averaging 1.6 fights per year. He had an entire year out of the octagon following a knee injury and has then struggled to get a fight. He’s yet to fight in 2026, had one fight in 2025 and one in 2024. Since November 2023, Aspinall has seen just 6:44 of action. Not enough for such a big star, although it isn’t his fault with the injuries he’s suffered.