Lightweight: 146-155 lbs.


Kurt Pellegrino and Mac Danzig compete for the inaugural WEC lightweight championship.

1
Kurt Pellegrino
def.
Mac Danzig
Decision (unanimous) @ 5:00 of R3
WEC 4: Rumble Under The Sun
08.31.02

Kurt Pellegrino vacates the WEC lightweight championship after leaving the promotion to compete for other organizations.

Gilbert Melendez and Olaf Alfonso compete for the vacant lightweight championship.

2
Gilbert Melendez
def.
Olaf Alfonso
TKO (punches) @ 4:54 of R3
WEC 10: Bragging Rights
05.21.04

Gilbert Melendez vacates the WEC lightweight championship after leaving the promotion to compete for other organizations.

Gabe Ruediger and Olaf Alfonson compete for the vacant WEC lightweight championship.

3
Gabe Ruediger
def.
Olaf Alfonso
Submission (rear-naked choke) @ 3:05 of R1
WEC 12: Halloween Fury 3
10.14.04


def.
Jason Maxwell
Submission (rear-naked choke) @ 3:28 of R1
WEC 14: Vengeance
03.17.05
def.
Sam Wells
Decision (unanimous) @ 5:00 of R3
WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4
10.14.05

4
Hermes Franca
def.
Gabe Ruediger
Knockout (punches) @ 0:36 of R1
WEC 19: Undisputed
03.17.06


def.
Brandon Olsen
Submission (armbar) @ 0:40 of R1
WEC 21: Tapout
06.08.06
def.
Nate Diaz
Submission (armbar) @ 2:46 of R2
WEC 24: Full Force
10.12.06

Hermes Franca vacates the WEC lightweight championship after leaving the promotion to compete for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Rob McCullough and Kit Cope compete for the vacant WEC lightweight championship.

5
Rob McCullough
def.
Kit Cope
Submission (punches) @ 2:53 of R1
WEC 25: McCullough vs. Cope
01.20.07


def.
Richard Crunkilton
TKO (punches) @ 1:29 of R1
WEC 30: McCullough vs. Crunkilton
09.05.07

6
Jamie Varner
def.
Rob McCullough
TKO (punches) @ 2:54 of R3
WEC 32: New Mexico
02.13.08


def.
Marcus Hicks
TKO (punches) @ 2:08 of R1
WEC 35: Condit vs. Muira
08.03.08
def.
Donald Cerrone
Technical Decision (split) @ 3:10 of R5
WEC 38: Varner vs. Cerrone
01.25.09

Jamie Varner is unable to defend the WEC lightweight championship after sustaining an injury.

Ben Henderson and Donald Cerrone compete for the interim WEC lightweight championship.

INT
Ben Henderson
def.
Donald Cerrone
Decision (unanimous) @ 5:00 of R5
WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson
10.10.09

Jamie Varner is able to defend the WEC lightweight championship after returning from injury.

Jamie Varner and Ben Henderson compete for the undisputed WEC lightweight championship.

7
Ben Henderson
def.
Jamie Varner
Submission (guillotine choke) @ 2:41 of R3
WEC 46: Varner vs. Henderson
01.10.10


def.
Donald Cerrone
Submission (guillotine choke) @ 1:57 of R1
WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber
04.24.10

8
Anthony Pettis
def.
Ben Henderson
Decision (unanimous) @ 5:00 of R5
WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis
12.16.10

World Extreme Cagefighting ceases operations and folds on December 16, 2010 after being purchased by UFC parent company Zuffa and ultimately merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.