Skip to main content

Celebrating Black History Month

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

UFC is proud to celebrate Black History Month by acknowledging the achievements of African American and Black UFC athletes throughout our history.
 
During February, UFC will highlight the personal stories of these athletes, past and present, while celebrating their significance in promoting and growing UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts.

Celebrating Black Excellence

  • First African American athletes compete in UFC

  • First African American Commentator for a UFC event

  • Ron Van Clief Fights at 51

  • First African American Champion

  • First African American to Win a UFC Tournament

  • Kevin Randleman Wins UFC Heavyweight Title

  • Carlos Newton Wins UFC Welterweight Title

  • First Black Athlete Born in the United Kingdom

  • First Black Canadian-Born Athlete Competes in UFC

  • First African American Athletes Compete on The Ultimate Fighter

  • First African American to Win The Ultimate Fighter

  • First African American Coach on The Ultimate Fighter

  • Anderson Silva wins UFC Middleweight Title

  • Rampage Jackson wins the UFC light heavyweight title

  • Rashad Evans Wins UFC Light Heavyweight Title

  • Jon Jones Becomes The Youngest Champion in UFC History

  • Benson Henderson Wins UFC Lightweight Title

  • Demetrious Johnson Wins UFC Flyweight Title

  • Record Set for Most Consecutive UFC Victories

  • Anderson Silva Sets Record Set for Longest UFC Title Reign

  • First Black Female Athlete To Compete In UFC

  • Daniel Cormier Wins UFC Light Heavyweight Title

  • Tyron Woodley Wins UFC Welterweight Title

  • Daniel Cormier Takes The Desk

  • First Black Female UFC Champion

  • Mighty Mouse Sets Consecutive UFC Title Defenses

  • First African American Double Champion

  • First African-Born UFC Champion

  • Rashad Evans Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame

  • Israel Adesanya Wins Undisputed UFC middleweight title

  • Aljamain Sterling Becomes Bantamweight Champion

  • Jon Jones Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame

  • Kevin Randleman Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame

  • Francis Ngannou Becomes Heavyweight Champion

  • Leon Edwards Shocks The World

  • Logo shown during broadcast for UFC 1: The Beginning

    UFC 1: The Beginning

    Zane Frazier, Art Jimmerson, Patrick Smith and Trent Jenkins were the first African American athletes to compete in the UFC at UFC 1: The Beginning.
  • Jim Brown serves as the first African American color commentator (pre-Zuffa era) at UFC 1

    UFC 1: The Beginning

    NFL great Jim Brown served as the first African American color commentator (pre-Zuffa era) at UFC 1: The Beginning.
  • Ron Van Clief fights at UFC 4 to become the oldest competitor to fight in the UFC at age 51

    UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors

    Ron Van Clief fought at UFC 4 to become the oldest competitor to fight in the UFC, aged 51.
  • Maurice Smith battles Mark Coleman for the UFC heavyweight championship during the UFC 14 event inside Boutwell Auditorium on July 27, 1997 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 14

    Maurice Smith defeated Mark Coleman at UFC 14 to become the UFC heavyweight champion, and the first African American to headline a non-tournament event.
  • Kevin Jackson reacts after knocking out Todd Butler in the first round at UFC 14

    UFC 14: Showdown

    Kevin Jackson defeated Todd Butler by first-round knockout to become the first African American to win a UFC tournament at UFC 14.
  • Kevin Randleman defeats Pete Williams to win the heavyweight title at UFC 23

    UFC 23: Ultimate Japan 2

    UFC Hall-of-Famer Kevin Randleman defeated Pete Williams by decision to win the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 23.
  • Carlos Newton reacts after winning the UFC welterweight title at UFC 31

    UFC 31: Locked and Loaded

    Carlos Newton, born in Anguilla and representing Canada, defeated Pat Miletich with a third-round submission to win the welterweight title at UFC 31.
  • In his UFC debut at UFC 38, Mark Weir records at 10-second knockout over Eugene Jackson

    UFC 38: Brawl at the Hall

    Mark Weir, born in Gloucester, England, made his UFC debut at UFC 38 with a 10-second knockout victory over Eugene Jackson.
  • David Loiseau of Canada prepares to fight Mark Weir in his UFC debut at UFC 42

    UFC 42: Sudden Impact

    David Loiseau, born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, made his UFC debut at UFC 42 with a first-round knockout victory over Mark Weir.
  • Generic photo of The Ultimate Fighter season 1

    The Ultimate Fighter 1

    Josh Koscheck and Bobby Southworth competed in the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter.
  • Rashad Evans reacts after defeating Brad Imes in the heavyweight finale of the second season of The Ultimate Fighter

    The Ultimate Fighter Season 2

    Rashad Evans defeated Brad Imes in the heavyweight division finale of the second season of The Ultimate Fighter.
  • Quinton "Rampage" Jackson sits alongside Dana White and Forrest Griffin as he coaches on season 7 of The Ultimate Fighter

    The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs Team Forrest

    Quinton "Rampage" Jackson made his coaching debut on season 7 of The Ultimate Fighter. His team included C.B. Dollaway, Matthew Riddle, Paul Bradley, Dan Cramer, Gerald Harris, Mike Dolce, Jeremy May and Brandon Sene.
  • Anderson Silva (yellow/black tight shorts) def. Nate Marquardt (green shorts) - TKO - 4:50 round 1 during UFC 73 at Arco Arena on July 7, 2007 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 64: Unstoppable

    Anderson Silva defeated Rich Franklin by first-round knockout at UFC 64 to win the UFC middleweight title on October 14, 2006.
  • Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (black/camo shorts) def. Chuck Liddell (blue shorts) - TKO - 1:53 round 1 during UFC 71 at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 26, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 71: Liddell vs Jackson

    Quinton "Rampage" Jackson defeated Chuck Liddell by first-round knockout, winning UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 71.
  • Rashad Evans (black shorts) def. Forrest Griffin (tan/brown shorts) - TKO 2:46 round 3 during the UFC 92 at MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 27, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008

    Rashad Evans defeated Forrest Griffin with a third-round knockout at UFC 92 to win the UFC light heavyweight title.
  • New UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones celebrates after defeating Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128 at the Prudential Center on March 19, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 128

    Jon Jones defeated Mauricio "Shogun" Rua by third-round knockout at UFC 128 to become the youngest champion in UFC history at 23 years old.
  • Benson Henderson (second from left) poses for a photo with his team after defeating Frankie Edgar to win the UFC Lightweight Championship during the UFC 144 event at Saitama Super Arena on February 26, 2012 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 144: Edgar vs Henderson

    Benson Henderson defeated Frankie Edgar by decision at UFC 144 to win the UFC lightweight title.
  • Demetrious Johnson reacts after defeating Joseph Benavidez during their flyweight championship bout at UFC 152 inside Air Canada Centre on September 22, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

    UFC 152

    Demetrious Johnson defeated Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 to become the UFC flyweight champion, the start of a six-year reign.
  • Anderson Silva reacts after his TKO victory over Stephan Bonnar during their light heavyweight fight at UFC 153 inside HSBC Arena on October 13, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 153: Silva vs Bonnar

    Anderson "Spider" Silva defeated Stephan Bonnar at UFC 153 to set the UFC record for most consecutive UFC victories (16). 
  • Anderson Silva celebrates after knocking out Yushin Okami in the UFC Middleweight Championship bout at UFC 134 at HSBC Arena on August 27, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC)

    October 14, 2006 - July 6, 2013

    Anderson "The Spider" Silva's middleweight title reign set the UFC record for longest title reign at 2,457 days.
  • Germaine de Randamie celebrates her victory over Anna Elmose in their women's bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Ahoy Rotterdam on May 8, 2016 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC Fight Night

    Germaine de Randamie made her debut at UFC Fight Night: Johnson vs Moraga. She secured a victory against Julie Kedzie.
  • Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson (L) places the belt on Daniel Cormier after their UFC light heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 187 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 187

    Daniel Cormier defeated Anthony Johnson for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 187.
  • Tyron Woodley celebrates his knockout victory over Robbie Lawler in their welterweight championship bout during the UFC 201 event on July 30, 2016 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 201: Lawler vs Woodley

    Tyron Woodley defeated Robbie Lawler by first-round knockout to become the UFC welterweight champion at UFC 201.
  • Daniel Cormier anchors the broadcast during the UFC 281 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs Dodson

    At UFC Fight Night 96: Lineker vs Dodson, Daniel Cormier became the first color commentator for a UFC event (Zuffa era).
  • Germaine de Randamie of The Netherlands celebrates her victory over Holly Holm in their women's featherweight championship bout during the UFC 208 event inside Barclays Center on February 11, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 208: Holm vs de Randamie

    Germaine de Randamie became the first Black female to headline a UFC event at UFC 208, where she defeated Holly Holm for the UFC featherweight championship title. That night, she also became the first black women's champion.
  • Demetrious Johnson celebrates after his submission victory over Ray Borg in their UFC flyweight championship bout during the UFC 216 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 216

    Demetrious Johnson defeated Ray Borg with a fifth-round submission to set the record for the most successful UFC title defenses (11) at UFC 216.
  • Daniel Cormier celebrates his victory over Stipe Miocic in their UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 226 event inside T-Mobile Arena on July 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 226: Miocic vs Cormier

    Daniel Cormier defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 to become the UFC heavyweight champion, while also the UFC light heavyweight champion.
  • Kamaru Usman of Nigeria celebrates with his team and family after defeating Tyron Woodley in their UFC welterweight championship bout during the UFC 235 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 235

    Kamaru Usman, born in Nigeria, defeated Tyron Woodley to become the UFC welterweight champion at UFC 235.
  • Rashad Evans is inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame during the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Induction Ceremony inside The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort on July 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC Hall of Fame: Modern Wing

    Rashad Evans was inducted into the Pioneer Wing ('19) of the UFC Hall of Fame.
  • Israel Adesanya of Nigeria celebrates after his knockout victory over Robert Whittaker of New Zealand in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 243 event at Marvel Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 243: Whittaker vs Adesanya

    Israel Adesanya defeated Robert Whittaker with a second-round knockout to be crowned the undisputed UFC middleweight champion at UFC 243.
  • Aljamain Sterling reacts after his victory by disqualification over Petr Yan of Russia due to an intentional foul in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 259

    Aljamain Sterling defeated Petr Yan at UFC 259 to claim the UFC bantamweight title.
  • Jon Jones poses for photos on stage after being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame during the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Induction Ceremony at Park Theater at Park MGM on September 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC Hall of Fame: Fight Wing

    Jon Jones was inducted into the Fight Wing ('20) of the UFC Hall of Fame for his UFC 165 battle against Alexander Gustafsson.
  • Kevin Randleman punches Roger Gracie during their bout at the Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery event at the Scottrade Center on May 15, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Esther Lin/Forza LLC)

    UFC Hall of Fame: Pioneer Wing

    Kevin Randleman was inducted into the Pioneer Wing ('20) of the UFC Hall of Fame.
  • Francis Ngannou of Cameroon reacts after his victory over Stipe Miocic in their UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

    UFC 260: Miocic vs Ngannou

    Francis Ngannou defeated Stipe Miocic by second-round knockout in their championship rematch at UFC 260 to claim the UFC heavyweight title.
  • UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards

    On August 20, 2022, at UFC 278, Leon Edwards won the UFC welterweight title when he knocked out Kamaru Usman at 4:04 of the fifth round. With the knockout, Edwards became the first Jamaican-born UFC champion.

Stories and News