The post documents major achievements by fighters aged 35 and older across UFC's three lowest weight classes over the past decade. Key milestones include Sara McMann becoming the first fighter in these divisions to achieve a three-fight win streak after turning 35 in February 2017, and Lauren Murphy becoming the first to reach five straight wins post-35 in June 2021. Amanda Nunes made history in June 2023 as the first fighter in all light divisions to win a title after 35, while Alexander Volkanovski became the first male to do so in April 2025. Valentina Shevchenko broke new ground as the first 37-year-old champion in these divisions in May 2025, with Volkanovski later matching that feat in February 2026. Most recently in April 2026, Raoni Barcelos became the second male after Ayman Zahabi to record five consecutive wins after turning 35.
A look back at the landmark achievements by fighters aged 35 and older across the UFC's three lowest weight divisions over the past decade reveals a pattern of veteran excellence rewriting what was once thought possible in the sport's lighter weight classes.
Sara McMann, now 45, was the first to break new ground in this era. The American wrestler from Team Alpha Male, who carries a 13-6-0 professional record and averages an impressive 4.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, became the first fighter in these divisions to string together three consecutive wins after the age of 35, reaching that milestone in February 2017. Lauren Murphy followed in her footsteps, becoming the first in those same divisions to run off five straight wins post-35, achieving the feat in June 2021. Murphy, now 42 and fighting out of Gracie Barra Katy, holds a 16-7-0 record and generates 4.05 significant strikes per minute.
Amanda Nunes then elevated the stakes for champions everywhere when she became the first fighter across all light divisions to claim a UFC title after turning 35, doing so in June 2023. Alexander Volkanovski matched that achievement on the men's side in April 2025.
Valentina Shevchenko, the reigning Women's Flyweight champion, carved out her own chapter in May 2025, becoming the first 37-year-old champion across these divisions. The Kyrgyzstan-born southpaw, now 38 and holding a 26-4-1 record, operates with a striking accuracy of 52 percent and blends her stand-up output with 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes. Volkanovski later matched the 37-year-old champion benchmark in February 2026.
Most recently, Raoni Barcelos joined an exclusive club in April 2026, recording five consecutive wins after the age of 35 and becoming only the second male fighter to accomplish that in these divisions, following Ayman Zahabi.
Why it matters
- Veterans in the lighter divisions are increasingly proving age is not a barrier to peak performance
- Title reigns by Nunes, Volkanovski, and Shevchenko have reshaped expectations for champion longevity in lower weight classes
- Win streaks by McMann, Murphy, and Barcelos demonstrate sustained competitiveness well into fighters' late thirties and beyond
