Will we ever see a 3 division UFC champion??

At the time of publishing this article, we're about a week removed from UFC 269 where Amanda Nunes dropped her 135lb title to Julianna Pena. No sleep lost for Amanda though, she still has her 145lb belt and there's definitely no Featherweights coming to challenge her any time soon. I mean MAYBE if the UFC signs Kayla Harrison and she drops down to Featherweight. But that's a big if. So yeah, Amanda's 145lb belt is going to stay safe around her waist for a very long time.

This reminded me of all the other multi-division champions throughout the history of the UFC. So far we've only seen 4 simultaneous two-division champions (Nunez, DC, Conor, and CCC). Conor being the only one who didn't defend either belt and Amanda being the only one to successfully defend both belts more than once. So naturally, I started thinking of boxing especially Manny Pacquiao's insane octuple champion acolyte. Then wrestling came to mind with Ric Flair and John Cena specifically. I know what you're thinking, shut up. But hey, they're still "championship belts". Anyways eventually this got me thinking of the question at hand. Will we ever see a 3 division champion in the UFC? Before I forget, no this does not need to be simultaneous. In fact I think with how the weight classes are currently constructed, it's highly improbable any time soon. So can anyone at any point of their career hold 3 different UFC belts? Also don't lawyer me, if Jorge Masivdal somehow becomes a 2 division champion, it's not 3 since he has the BMF belt too. Don't try to lawyer me.

No

As it stands the weight classes go Men's: 125, 135, 145, 155, 170, 185, 205, and Heavyweight. I just state Heavyweight as Heavyweight since just like boxing all that matters for Heavyweight is staying below the 265lb weight limit. As for women they currently only have 4 weight classes: Strawweight, Flyweight, Bantamweight and Featherweight (115,125,135,145 accordingly).

There are very few people that I can think of who can jump these divisions and still actually be championship worthy. One of which is EPO Dillashaw so we're not starting off well. Conor isn't even winning fights anymore nor does he care to. Cody Garbrandt had a very unsuccessful challenge fight at 125 and his jaw certainly isn't there anymore.

As for the women, only having 4 divisions and trying to win 3 bets is a ridiculously uphill battle to the point where it's almost impossible. Even if we're talking about Amanda moving all the way down to 125 to challenge for Valentina's belt, it's not gonna happen. She's solidified her GOAT status so she won't have #3 at 125lbs.

Man or Woman, it's going to take a generational talent in the atmosphere of: Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Canelo Alvarez, etc in MMA to get 3 belts. And as it stands from what we can see either anywhere on the UFC roster or in other promotions, it's not going to happen.

Possibly....

As the great Kevin Garnett said "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!" Seriously though, anything is possible. Granted the UFC would need to add way more weight classes especially the 165 weight class. I mean there might be a chance, it would take a generational talent with amazing control over their body, a splash of "Dana White privilege", a very long career, and the 165 division for the men or women's lightweight division to become triple champion. A lot of moving pieces, but again. That's a lot of moving pieces that have to go right over a long career.

I'll be honest there aren't many positives supporting my case for our first UFC triple champ. Double champ is already a prestigious honor as it and it truly cements your status as the elite of the elite. Triple champion status might just be overkill and unnecessary.

Who?

So who could we see potentially become the first 3 division champ? Between active and retired fighters there are so few names I can come up with. Conor McGregor and his unbreakable titanium shin bone if he gets back to his old ways all he needs is one more belt, Henry Cejudo if he decides to come out of retirement, Amanda Nunes if for some reason Dana decides to add a lightweight division to attract Kayla Harrison but then Amanda wins that inaugural belt. Max Holloway is young enough, hungry enough, and he's always willing to fight where ever. But he'll need two more belts to become triple champ.

As for fighters who haven't even won a single belt yet there are two names who come to mind. Brian Ortega, great fighter still in his prime with much more mass he could add to his frame. And then Sean O'Malley way down the line if he decides to ever bulk up past 135lbs. However Sean isn't even ranked yet, so once again that's way down the line. Also with all the physical advantages he has over most bantamweights I doubt he would ever give that up to fight bigger and taller guys in higher weight classes. He's made it very clear he wants to be the greatest Bantamweight and that might be his sole focus for his career.

Final verdict?

Yeah let's be honest. It's not going to happen any time soon. So many things about the UFC and MMA in general needs to fundamentally change before we could ever see the MMA triple champ. With that being said, can we see another double champ very soon? Possibly one who goes by "The Bullet"? Read here why Valentina should and should not try one last time to capture 135lb gold. Shameless self plug everyone.

Thank you for your time, I hope you enjoyed what you have read today, feel free to subscribe. I have plenty of different articles on many different topics, if you so choose to check them out. Also if you would be so kind, I would greatly appreciate a heart. Lastly; if you really feel so inclined tips and of course pledges are always appreciated but by no means required.