Aging like a fine wine isn’t a term that is often used in the brutal world of mixed martial arts, however in the case of the UFC, it certainly matches many of the company’s top previous champions.
Seen as a young man’s sport, some of the UFC’s most successful fighters have peaked in their late thirties, breaking records and collecting titles in stellar MMA careers.
But who is the oldest fighter who has ever graced the UFC? And who is the oldest champion in UFC history?
Who is the Oldest Fighter in UFC History?
The oldest fighter in UFC history is former heavyweight champion Randy Couture who was a veteran of the company up until he was 47 years old.
The Greco-Roman wrestler’s last fight was against Lyoto Machida in 2011, losing at UFC 129 and officially retiring afterward as a six-time champion.
Oldest UFC Fighters Ever
| Fighter | Age | Opponent | Outcome | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randy Couture | 47 years, 10 months | Lyoto Machida | Loss | Heavyweight |
| Anderson Silva | 45 years, 7 months | Uriah Hall | Loss | Heavyweight |
| Mark Coleman | 45 years, 1 month | Randy Couture | Loss | Light-heavyweight |
| Aleksei Oleinik | 44 years, 9 months | Ilir Latifi | Loss | Heavyweight |
| Antonio Rogério Nogueira | 44 years, 1 month | Mauricio Rua | Loss | Light-heavyweight |
Oldest UFC Champions in History
Randy Couture
The oldest UFC champion in history is Randy Couture who became the heavyweight champion at 43 years of age. Couture defeated Tim Sylvia in 2007 after an eight-second punch sent Sylvia to the mat.
Couture would hold the title until he was 45 years old, losing the belt to Brock Lesnar at UFC 91.
Couture would later be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, retiring a three-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, two-time UFC Light heavyweight Champion, and an interim UFC Light heavyweight Champion.
Glover Teixeira
Not far behind Couture on the list, Glover Teixeira became the UFC light-heavyweight champion at age 42 after defeating Jan Blachowicz in 2021 at UFC 267.
Teixeira battled Jamahal Hill in January 2023, at UFC 283, for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, losing the bout via unanimous decision. The Brazilian-American announced his retirement during the post-fight interview with the bout earning the Fight of the Night award.
Daniel Cormier
At 40 years of age, Daniel Cormier became the third oldest UFC champion in history, dominating the UFC light-heavyweight division before moving up to the heavyweight division.
Cormier lost the heavyweight title in 2019 to Stipe Miocic at UFC 241, losing by TKO in the fourth round as he saw his title reign end.
Oldest UFC Champion by Weight Class
| Fighter | Age | Date of Title Win | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 34 | July, 2020 | Flyweight |
| Henry Cejudo | 32 | June, 2019 | Bantamweight |
| Alexander Volkanovski | 31 | December, 2019 | Featherweight |
| Sean Sherk | 33 | October, 2006 | Lightweight |
| Tyron Woodley | 34 | July, 20016 | Welterweight |
| Michael Bisping | 39 | June, 2016 | Middleweight |
| Glover Teixeira | 42 | October, 2021 | Light-Heavyweight |
| Randy Couture | 43 | March, 2007 | Heavyweight |
