Timeline: How age barriers fell in UFC's three lightest divisions over past decade

A chronological breakdown shows how longevity records in UFC's three lightest divisions (flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight) have progressively fallen over the past decade. Sarah McMann became the first fighter over 35 to achieve a three-fight win streak in February 2017, followed by Lauren Murphy reaching five straight wins in June 2021. Amanda Nunes became the first in any light division to win a title after 35 in June 2023, with Raquel Pennington becoming the second in January 2024. Alexander Volkanovski became the first male to win a light division title after 35 in April 2025, while Valentina Shevchenko became the first 37-year-old and first 36-year-old to win a light division title in May 2025, with Volkanovski becoming the first 36-year-old male. Alexandre Pantoja became the second male to win a light division title after 35 in June 2025. Aiemann Zahabi became the first male to achieve a five-fight win streak after 35 in October 2025. Volkanovski became the first 37-year-old male to win a light division title in February 2026, and Raoni Barcelos became the second male to achieve a five-fight win streak after 35 in April 2026.