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The UFC Welterweight division has produced some of the most technically rich fights in the organization’s history, and 2025 finds the 170-pound class in an interesting transitional moment. A new champion in Belal Muhammad, an elite contender field, and several generational talents all competing for position make this one of the most compelling weight classes to follow in the sport right now.

UFC Welterweight Champion: Belal Muhammad

Belal “Remember the Name” Muhammad became UFC Welterweight Champion in July 2024 when he defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision at UFC 304 in Manchester, England — reclaiming for himself a title that he had been pursuing for years through one of the most methodical ascents in the division’s history.

Muhammad’s style is defined by relentless wrestling, elite takedown success, and the ability to control opponents against the cage. He doesn’t often finish fights, but his decision wins are dominant. The knock on his championship candidacy for years was that he hadn’t beaten the very best — a knock he answered definitively by defeating Edwards, himself a former champion with one of the most famous knockouts in UFC history on his resume.

UFC Welterweight Top Contenders

#1 Contender: Shavkat Rakhmonov

Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov is the most dangerous fighter in the welterweight division and the most inevitable challenger for Muhammad’s title. The Kazakh submission specialist is unbeaten in professional MMA with every single win coming by finish. His jiu-jitsu is world-class, his striking is legitimate, and his ability to find submissions from unconventional positions makes him uniquely dangerous at 170 pounds. He has submitted ranked welterweights who seemed to have the tools to survive, and the question surrounding his title shot is not whether but when.

#2: Leon Edwards

Leon Edwards remains one of the world’s elite welterweights despite the title loss to Muhammad. The Birmingham native has been on a remarkable run since 2015, and his head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 to win the championship remains one of the most dramatic moments in UFC history. Edwards is a well-rounded fighter with elite wrestling defense, good movement, and dangerous striking — including the now-famous left high kick that he has landed on multiple opponents. A rematch with Muhammad is plausible given their history.

#3: Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman’s legacy as perhaps the greatest welterweight champion in UFC history is already established. The Nigerian Nightmare made five title defenses, defeated the best opponents the division had to offer, and only lost the title to an extraordinary head kick. His path back to the title has been complicated by subsequent losses to Edwards and others, but Usman’s credentials — an 18-fight UFC win streak at one point — make him permanently relevant in welterweight conversations.

#4: Jack Della Maddalena

Jack Della Maddalena is the most exciting young welterweight in the UFC. The Australian knockout artist has finished every UFC opponent he’s faced and brings the kind of combination power and forward aggression that win over fight fans immediately. He’s young, improving rapidly, and represents the next generation of welterweight contenders. The question is whether his game plan holds up against the top level of wrestling-based opponents.

#5: Gilbert Burns

Gilbert Burns is one of the most technically accomplished fighters in the division’s history. A BJJ world champion who has added dangerous striking to his grappling, Burns has pushed every elite welterweight he’s faced, including Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev. Despite being past his peak contender period, Burns remains a top-five talent who can beat anyone on a given night.

Other Notable Fighters

Colby Covington — The former interim champion and controversial figure who has pushed Usman twice and remains a legitimate top-five contender when active.
Vicente Luque — A Brazilian finisher with elite submission skills who has produced some of the most exciting fights in welterweight history.
Sean Brady — A Philadelphia wrestler with a methodical, smothering style that has suffocated ranked opponents.
Ian Machado Garry — An Irish striker with elite footwork and technique who is rapidly building his ranking through impressive performances.

Rakhmonov vs. Muhammad: The Inevitable Title Fight

The fight every welterweight fan is anticipating is Rakhmonov versus Muhammad. It’s the most natural title shot in the division — the unbeaten finishing machine against the champion who wins through control and wrestling. The matchup presents a fascinating style clash: can Muhammad’s wrestling and cage control neutralize Rakhmonov’s submission offense, or will Rakhmonov’s ability to find chokes from unexpected positions overwhelm the champion?

The 170-pound division has historically been one of the most competitive in the UFC, and 2025’s landscape continues that tradition. From the champion through the unbeaten Rakhmonov to the experienced Edwards and the exciting younger contenders, the welterweight division is as deep and watchable as it’s been in years.