Study tracks growing success of UFC fighters over 35 in lighter weight classes

A comprehensive analysis has documented the increasing success of fighters over 35 years old in UFC's three lightest divisions (flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight). Key milestones include Sara McMann becoming the first fighter over 35 to achieve a three-fight win streak in these divisions in February 2017, and Lauren Murphy becoming the first to reach a five-fight streak in June 2021. Amanda Nunes made history in June 2023 as the first fighter over 35 to win a championship in any light division under 155 pounds. Alexander Volkanovski became the first male fighter over 35 to win a title in these divisions in April 2025, and in February 2026, at age 37, became the oldest male champion in UFC light divisions. Raoni Barcelos recently became the second male fighter after Aiemann Zahabi to achieve a five-fight win streak after turning 35.