Alexander Volkanovski is looking to create history at UFC 284 in Perth by becoming the first Australian to win UFC gold in two separate weight divisions.
He is currently the number one ranked pound for pound fighter in the world and has been a dominant force in the Featherweight division since first claiming the title in 2019.
His three wins over one of the greatest to ever do it in Max Holloway have silenced many who doubted him and struggled to give him credit but there will be no one denying his greatness should he beat Islam Makhachev in Perth.
Moving up a division to win a title is no easy feat, especially when you consider it has only been achieved seven times in the history of the UFC.
Here is the definitive lost of UFC Double Champs Ranked in order.
7. Amanda Nunes
The most dominant and successful woman we have ever seen enter the Octagon without a shadow of a doubt.
This list is not about who is the greatest though, it is ranking the ‘double champ’ achievement.
Amanda Nunes is the only UFC athlete on this list, and therefor ever, to defend belts in BOTH divisions.
Taking that into account there may be some that believe it’s harsh to have her last but the Women’s Featherweight division is not only in it’s infancy, but to be honest, it’s barely alive.
6. Conor McGregor
I can already hear the outrage from a certain section of the MMA community that the popular Irishman is so low.
There is no denying what Conor achieved in in fact he was the first person to hold belts in two divisions at the same time.
But like a few on this list, everything had to line up perfectly for him.
There’s no denying his 13 second KO over the legend Jose Aldo but Eddie Alverez, the man Conor beat to win the Lightweight title, took the fight on short notice at the final hour.
McGregor was stripped of both titles without defending due to inactivity and would never win a fight at either weight class ever again.
5. Georges St-Pierre
GSP had one of the most incredible careers we have ever seen inside the octagon and there are many that have him as the greatest of all time.
He beat Matt Hughes to win the Welterweight title in 2006 and, after one hiccup against Matt Serra, dominated the division until his first retirement, defending the belt nine times.
After four years out of the sport he saw an opportunity to return when Michael Bisping shocked the world and became UFC Middleweight champion.
Take nothing away from Bisping but it was a cherry picked title challenge but one that only added to his legacy.
4. Randy Couture
What a career.
Randy Couture ended his career with six title reigns, the most in UFC history.
He was a three time UFC Heavyweight Champion, two time Light Heavyweight Champion and an interim Light Heavyweight champion.
The first to win titles in two divisions and the oldest champion in UFC history at 44 years of age.
3. Daniel Cormier
DC first won the UFC Light Heavyweight belt by defeating Rumble Johnson in 2015 losing just once in his MMA career through that period.
After his mate Cain Velasquez retired, Cormier decided to challenge for the Heavyweight belt, an endeavour that he was successful in when he beat Stipe Miocic by first round KO.
He defended that belt once against Derrick Lewis before back to back losses to Stipe to close out an incredible career.
The only knock on his Champ Champ status was the question that he may not have been Light Heavyweight Champion if Jon Jones didn’t vacate the belt.
2. Henry Cejudo
Unlike a few on this list there’s no real argument when it comes to Henry Cejudo’s double champ status.
He beat the greatest Flyweight of all time Demetrious Johnson to win the belt in 2018 and then defended the belt against TJ Dillashaw.
A former Olympic gold medalist, Cejudo then moved up to Bantamweight to beat Marlon Moraes and then defended that belt against Dominick Cruz although some thought that was an early stoppage.
Will we see Triple C again in the octagon?
1. BJ Penn
There has never been a fighter as successful in different weight classes than the great BJ Penn.
While he was UFC Champion in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions he also won fights in many divisions.
He beat two different Gracie’s in two separate divisions. Rodrigo at Middleweight and Renzo at Light Heavyweight (both in K-1).
The record at the end of his career is not good viewing but we should not let this interfere when discussing the Champ Champ debate!