Historical analysis tracks longevity milestones in UFC's three lightest divisions

A comprehensive historical analysis tracks key longevity achievements in UFC's three lightest weight classes (flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight) over the past decade. The timeline begins with Sara McMann in February 2017 becoming the first fighter in these divisions to achieve a three-fight win streak after turning 35. Milestones include Lauren Murphy's five-fight streak post-35 in June 2021, Amanda Nunes becoming the first to win a title after 35 in June 2023, and Alexander Volkanovski becoming the first male to do so in April 2025. Valentina Shevchenko became the first 37-year-old to win a title in these divisions in May 2025. The analysis continues through April 2026 when Volkanovski became the first 37-year-old male champion in light divisions, and Raoni Barcelos became the second male fighter after Aiemann Zahabi to achieve a five-fight win streak after age 35. The post carefully defines that post-35 streaks count only victories achieved after the fighter's 35th birthday.