A Lineal History: UFC Welterweight Championship

Mike Fridley Brian KnappNov 14, 2012

Brought into existence on Oct. 16, 1998, the welterweight championship was the third of eight Ultimate Fighting Championship titles to be introduced. A then-30-year-old Pat Miletich became the first 170-pound boss at UFC 17.5, where he defeated Mikey Burnett by decision in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Miletich held the title for nearly three years, defending it on four different occasions.

Since Miletich, five other men have held the welterweight crown: Carlos Newton, Matt Hughes, B.J. Penn, Georges St. Pierre and Matt Serra. Only Hughes and St. Pierre have captured the prize more than once. The 31-year-old St. Pierre -- who has held the championship since April 2008 -- will return from reconstructive knee surgery to face interim titleholder Carlos Condit in a unification bout at UFC 154 on Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

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