MMA
7 UFC Fighters With Three Title Defenses in a Single Calendar Year as Merab Dvalishvili Looks to Make History at UFC 323
With Dana White officially unveiling the year-end UFC 323 card during his Instagram Live, it became clear that Merab Dvalishvili is on the verge of making history. After successfully defending his bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen for the third time this year at UFC 320, the relentless Georgian is now set to put his belt on the line once again, this time in a rematch against Petr Yan. In an era where most champions compete only once or twice a year, ‘The Machine’ has defied all norms with an incredible run throughout 2025.
For the unversed, he has already picked up wins over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 and Sean O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316. Should he overcome the Russian on December 6, Dvalishvili would become the first fighter in UFC history to defend his title four times in a single calendar year, a feat that would cement his place among the all-time greats. But that’s a monumental if. Before we look ahead to what could be a record-breaking moment, let’s take a look back at the select few fighters who, like Dvalishvili in 2025, managed to defend their UFC gold three times in a calendar year.
1. Alex Pereira – 2024
April 14, 2024: TKO win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300
June 30, 2024: KO win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303
October 6, 2024: TKO win over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307
Before reclaiming the light heavyweight crown at UFC 320 with a stunning 80-second finish of Magomed Ankalaev, Alex Pereira had already carved his legacy in 2024. He defended the 205-pound strap three times in just 175 days, breaking Ronda Rousey’s record of 189 days for the fastest trio of defenses in UFC history.
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Pereira’s run through Hill, Prochazka, and Rountree Jr. was nothing short of historic, a feat rarely seen in the modern era, where champions often fight only once or twice a year.
2- Kamaru Usman – 2021
February 13, 2021: TKO win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258
April 24, 2021: KO win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261
November 6, 2021: Unanimous Decision win over Colby Covington at UFC 268
June 14, 2025, Atlanta, Ga, USA: UFC FIGHT NIGHT: USMAN VS BUCKLEY – ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 14: Kamaru Usman prepares before his fight against Joaquin Buckley in a Welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at State Farm Arena on June 14, 2025, in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta, USA – ZUMAht à 20250614_zsp_r187_152 Copyright: xJustinxRenfroex
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Dubbed by Dana White as the greatest welterweight champion in UFC history, Kamaru Usman put on a masterclass of dominance in 2021. From his technical brilliance against Burns to a highlight-reel knockout of Masvidal and a gritty rematch win over Covington, Usman solidified his reign as one of the most complete fighters of his era.
3- Chuck Liddell – 2006
February 4, 2006: KO win over Randy Couture at UFC 57
August 26, 2006: TKO win over Renato Sobral at UFC 62
December 30, 2006: TKO win over Tito Ortiz at UFC 66
MMA: UFC 79 DEC 29 December 29, 2007 – Las Vegas, NV Chuck Liddell blue shorts and Wonderlei Silva white shorts battle in the first of two main events at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada during UFC 79 Nemesis. Liddell won the bout by unanimous decision. Photoï½ Josh Thompson/CSM Las Vegas Nevada United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx JoshxThompson/xCSMx csmphoto068733
The face of the early Zuffa era, Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell delivered a string of devastating knockouts in 2006. After ending his trilogy with Couture in emphatic fashion, Liddell flattened Sobral and finished rival Ortiz to close out a legendary year that helped elevate the UFC to mainstream fame.
4- Tito Ortiz – 2001
February 23, 2001: KO win over Evan Tanner at UFC 30
June 29, 2001: TKO win over Elvis Sinosic at UFC 32
September 28, 2001: Decision win over Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 33
Jul. 7, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFC fighter Tito Ortiz during a light heavyweight bout in UFC 148 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Before the sport’s global explosion, Tito Ortiz was the UFC’s original superstar. As light heavyweight champion, he became the company’s poster boy under the new Zuffa ownership. His 2001 run, which included dominant wins over Tanner, Sinosic, and Matyushenko, helped solidify the UFC’s legitimacy.
Interestingly, Ortiz also defended his title in December 2000 against Yuki Kondo, making him, alongside Jon Jones, one of only two fighters to have four title defenses within a 12-month period.
5- Matt Hughes – 2002
March 22, 2002: TKO win over Hayato Sakurai at UFC 36
July 13, 2002: TKO win over Carlos Newton at UFC 38
November 22, 2002: TKO win over Gil Castillo at UFC 40
Aug. 6, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; UFC welterweight bout fighter Matt Hughes during weigh-ins for UFC 117 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Before Georges St-Pierre’s dominance, Matt Hughes was the king of the welterweights. Known for his brutal ground-and-pound, the Illinois native defended his title three times in 2002, establishing himself as the cornerstone of the UFC’s early 2000s success and carrying the torch for Team Miletich.
6- Demetrious Johnson – 2013
January 26, 2013: Unanimous Decision win over John Dodson
July 27, 2013: Submission win over John Moraga
December 14, 2013: KO win over Joseph Benavidez
Often hailed as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson defined consistency and dominance. His 2013 campaign showcased the full spectrum of his skillset– elite striking, grappling, and fight IQ as he dismantled three elite flyweights in the span of 11 months.
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Johnson would go on to defend his title a record 11 consecutive times, but his 2013 season remains one of the most technically flawless years in MMA history.
