The Legacy of UFC Belts: A Special Tribute to Champions
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Belt System in the UFC
- The Classic Championship Belt
- The Legacy Championship Belt
- How Many Belts Does a Champion Get?
- The Special Features of the Legacy Belt
- Implications of Walking Away as the Undisputed Champion
- How Long Can a Fighter Hold a Belt While Inactive?
- Stripping of Interim Belts
- Do Champions Get to Keep Their Belts?
- Rubies on the Legacy Belt
- Conclusion
The Belt System in the UFC 👊
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is an intense combat sport that has gained immense popularity worldwide. One of the premier organizations in MMA is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which features talented fighters competing for championship belts. In this article, we will explore the past and present belt system in the UFC and delve into the intricacies of how champions are crowned and treated. Let's dive in!
The Classic Championship Belt
From 2001 to 2018, the UFC utilized the classic championship belt. This iconic belt was awarded to victorious fighters, symbolizing their ascent to greatness. However, as the years went by, it was replaced by the legacy championship belt. Many MMA fans initially found the legacy belt to be underwhelming but have grown to appreciate its unique design in recent years.
The Legacy Championship Belt
Introduced following the UFC's 25th anniversary, the legacy championship belt brought a fresh look to the UFC. This belt is tailored to each individual champion, featuring their country, weight class, and number of title defenses. It's the small details that make the legacy belt truly special for the athletes, epitomizing their accomplishments within the Octagon.
The legacy belt boasts several striking features. The center plate of the belt showcases 25 stones, representing the 25th anniversary of the UFC. Each stone is accompanied by the date and location of the champion's victory, providing a historical timeline of their success. Additionally, the eight countries that produced the first UFC champions are represented by their respective flags on the belt, along with the UFC's inaugural year displayed in Roman numerals.
How Many Belts Does a Champion Get?
For every championship win, a fighter receives a single belt per weight class. In the rare instance of a fighter becoming a "champ champ" (holding titles in two different weight classes simultaneously), they would accumulate multiple belts. A prime example is Conor McGregor, the first simultaneous two-division UFC champion, who obtained belts for his victories in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
The Special Features of the Legacy Belt
Unlike the classic belt, the legacy belt is not replaced after each championship win. Instead, fighters add rubies to the belt for each victorious title defense. The left plate of the belt initially comes into play, with each championship victory replacing a stone with a redstone. The redstone represents the date and location of the triumph, serving as a permanent reminder of the fighter's achievement.
However, if a fighter achieves eight championship wins, they move on to the right plate of the belt. This phase signals the replacement of all eight stones on the right side with redstones, commemorating the fighter's dominance in their division. It is a rare accomplishment that few fighters in the world of MMA can claim.
Implications of Walking Away as the Undisputed Champion
If a fighter decides to walk away as the undisputed champion, certain implications arise. In the era of the classic belt, the fighter would retain all the belts they received throughout their reign. However, with the introduction of the legacy belt, the champion retains only one belt, along with the redstones earned during their tenure.
Nonetheless, the moment a champion leaves their title behind, the belt becomes vacant, and they are no longer considered the reigning and defending champion. To resolve this, the UFC may promote the current interim champion to undisputed champion or hold a competition between the top contenders for the vacant belt. The new champion will then be awarded their own legacy championship belt.
How Long Can a Fighter Hold a Belt While Inactive?
In recent times, questions have been raised regarding how long a fighter can hold a belt while inactive. The UFC does not have strict guidelines on this matter, but if a champion is expected to be inactive for a significant period, such as 12 months, an interim belt may be created to prevent the division from being held up.
This approach ensures that the title is consistently defended and that the sport can maintain its momentum. Fighters like Tony Ferguson and Colby Covington have experienced being stripped of their interim belts due to prolonged injuries, sparking debates within the MMA community.
Stripping of Interim Belts
Interim belts are temporary placeholders in a division and are typically awarded to fighters when the reigning champion is unable to compete for an extended period. However, once the champion returns or a new champion is crowned, the interim belt becomes obsolete and is often stripped. This practice ensures clarity and legitimacy within the weight class.
Do Champions Get to Keep Their Belts?
Retiring fighters and champions who have been stripped of their titles are allowed to keep their belts. These belts serve as a testament to their achievements and contributions to the sport. Whether it is a champion who decided to hang up their gloves or one who was forced out due to circumstances, their belts remain a symbol of their past glory.
Rubies on the Legacy Belt
As mentioned earlier, the legacy championship belt features rubies that represent a fighter's successful title defenses. Valentina Shevchenko currently leads the pack with seven rubies on her belt, showcasing her dominance in the Women's Flyweight division. Who else has accumulated multiple rubies, and will we witness someone surpass Shevchenko's record? Only time will tell.
Conclusion
The belt system in the UFC holds significant meaning for fighters and fans alike. It represents the pinnacle of achievement within the sport and serves as a tangible reminder of a champion's legacy. Whether it is the classic championship belt or the modern legacy championship belt, these symbols of victory and excellence encapsulate the blood, sweat, and tears shed inside the Octagon.
