UFC title fight data shows height advantage of 10+ cm does not predict wins

An analysis of all UFC championship bouts where one fighter held a height advantage of 10 centimeters or more shows shorter fighters lead 31-29 overall, with a more pronounced 20-9 edge in lighter weight classes. Among strikers in lighter divisions the split is 12-7 in favor of shorter fighters, with Alexander Volkanovski going 6-0 in title fights against opponents taller by 12 centimeters or more. Outliers such as Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones account for the bulk of taller fighters' success in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, and removing those two from the data produces near-complete parity across all weight classes. Ilia Topuria is currently 2-0 in title bouts against taller opponents and could improve to 3-0 against Justin Gaethje.