It’s not looking good for former UFC welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad. Not only did he lose his last outing to Jack Della Maddelena at UFC 315, but if history is to repeat itself, he’s set to go through a rough run of form.
After losing the belt, UFC welterweight champions go through a tough time, historically speaking. We take a look at some of the former UFC welterweight champions and their post-championship careers.
Form of Former UFC Welterweight Champions
Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards dropped the belt in a very lacklustre performance against Muhammad in Manchester at UFC 304. He looked gun shy, devoid of confidence and simply put, came out with the wrong gameplan against Bully B, which ultimately lead to him dropping the belt.
The fight after that, he was dominated by Sean Brady, again in his home country. In the 2025 UFC London main event, Edwards was looked fresh out of ideas as to how to deal with wrestlers. Five takedowns later and 11:10 of control time later, Edwards slipped to 0-2, having been the champion.
Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman was one of the most dominant UFC welterweight champions in recent memory. Throughout his reign, he added vicious striking to his arsenal.
After five straight defences of his belt, he appeared set to make his six straight, until he was caught with a brilliantly timed headkick at the hands (or feet) of Leon Edwards. In a rematch, Usman wasn’t able to get the win back against Edwards.
After that, he dropped a short notice fight against Khamzat Chimaev, taking him to 0-3 in his last three outings after a 19 fight winning run.
Tyron Woodley
T-Wood, Tyron Woodley appeared to be the most dangerous welterweight since Georges St Piere during his reign, spanning a little short of three years. His wrestling defence, potential offence and his vicious power made him a feared man at 170.
Handing Stephen Thompson only his second UFC loss, he negated Demien Maia’s game and dominated the previously undefeated Darren Till on his way to four straight UFC welterweight title defences.
After being dominated himself by Usman, Woodley would go on to suffer a further three UFC losses before transitioning into the world of influencer boxing, going 0-2 against Jake Paul.
Robbie Lawler
After back-to-back wars, Robbie Lawler finally lost his belt to T-Wood. Without a doubt, Ruthless was one of the most exciting UFC welterweight champions in history.
Although he won the immediate fight after losing to Woodley, a unanimous decision victory over Donald Cerrone, his fortune wouldn’t be continued.
Suffering four straight losses after defeating Cerrone, Lawler would retire with a record 3-5, entering the hall of fame in the modern wing in 2025.
Johnny Hendricks
At UFC 181, Lawler was able to defeat Johnny Hendricks to capture the belt. Prior to this, Hendricks had controversially lost to Georges St Pierre via split decision, sending GSP into retirement (for four years) and defeated Lawler himself.
After dropping the belt to Lawler in their rematch, Hendricks would go on to endure a torrid run of form, going 2-5, including missing weight three times and not putting back to back wins together.
He’d transition into bare knuckle boxing, however, would lose his one and only fight by knockout to Dakota Cochrane in 2018.
Matt Serra
Matt Serra pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history after he won The Ultimate Fighter to get a title shot at GSP. The UFC welterweight title picture altered massively during 2007-2008.
Serra was injured and had to pull out of the rematch, instead taking on St Pierre in the challenger’s home country of Canada. It didn’t go well for Serra. A dominant performance was put in by the Canadian native, finishing things in just over seven minutes.
After dropping the belt, Serra went 1-2 and retired from the game. In 2018, Serra was inducted into the Hall of Fame, deservedly so.
Matt Hughes
Matt Hughes. Another former UFC welterweight champion who has entered the UFC Hall of Fame and another man who lost the belt and struggled afterwards. He took on GSP and lost the UFC welterweight belt back in 2006.
Despite beating Chris Lytle in the fight directly after losing the belt, he went on to lose two straight to GSP in a rematch for the interim strap and then went on to get finished by Thiago Alves in London. Although he would go on to put three wins together, he never saw a title fight again.
With that being said, he retired a legend of the sport.
Carlos Newton
Ah, Carlos Newton. One of the most recognisable faces from the early days of the UFC welterweight division, Newton entered the UFC title picture in 2001. He had had a run in the UFC prior to his UFC welterweight title shot at UFC 17, however, featuring on huge promotions like PRIDE and Shooto, Newton was ready when the UFC call came.
He won the belt against Pat Miletich at UFC 31, but unfortunately for Newton, lost it (in now-famous fashion) due to a slam knockout at the hands of Hughes.
He would retire with a post-title fight record of 5-10. He retired as the first Canadian UFC champion, something that no one can take away from him.
Pat Miletich
Miletich was the first UFC welterweight champion, capturing the inaugural belt at UFC Brazil 23 years ago. He would go on to make four defences of his belt before dropping it to Newton.
After losing the belt, Miletich would go 2-2 before retiring in 2008. He would make a return in 2023 under the Caged Aggression MMA banner at age 55 against Mike Jackson. He would retire from the fight at the end of the second round, a disappointing end to his MMA tenure. With that being said, he is yet another former UFC welterweight champion who is featured in the UFC Hall of Fame.
The Exception
There is one man who we haven’t spoken about in our list of welterweight champions to struggled after dropping the belt. Georges St Pierre.
Rush lost the belt to Serra in 2007; however, he was able to win the interim belt in their rematch. Since then, he’s gone undefeated. He made nine defences of his UFC welterweight title before retiring from the sport.
He gave up the belt and allowed the division to thrive. He returned four years later, this time at middleweight to become a two-weight world champion, defeating Michael Bisping.
He’s the one exception in the UFC welterweight division, a man who lost the belt but managed to rebound and found great form afterwards.
