Lower weight class UFC fighters increasingly competing successfully past age 35

A detailed timeline shows how fighters in the three lowest UFC weight classes have achieved unprecedented success after turning 35 years old over the past decade. Key milestones include Sara McMann becoming the first to achieve a three-fight win streak after 35 in 2017, and Lauren Murphy the first to reach five wins in 2021. Amanda Nunes became the first in any light weight class to win a title after 35 in 2023, followed by Alexander Volkanovski as the first male in 2025. Valentina Shevchenko became the first 37-year-old to win a title in light divisions in 2025. Most recently in April 2026, Raoni Barcelos became only the second male fighter in the three lowest divisions to achieve a five-fight win streak after turning 35, following Aiemann Zahabi who accomplished this in October 2025.