1997-1999 Frank Shamrock
After UFC 22 Shamrock retires and the lineage goes vacant until 2000
UFC Lineage
2000-2003 Tito Ortiz
On April 14, 2000 Ortiz defeats Silva to claim the vacant UFC light heavyweight title and the UFC lineage
2003-2004 Randy Couture
On September 26, 2003 Couture defeats Ortiz to end the longest reign in UFC light heavyweight history.
2004 Vitor Belfort
January 31, 2004 Belfort upsets Couture in a freak accident.
2004-2005 Randy Couture
August 21, 2004 Couture gets revenge on Belfort
2005-2007 Chuck Liddell
April 16, 2005 Liddell Knocks out Couture to win the light heavyweight title
2007-2008 Quinton Jackson
May 26, 2007 'Rampage' defeats Liddell to win the light heavyweight title
Pride Lineage 2001-2005 Wanderlei Silva
In March 25, 2001 Silva acquires the Pride lineage in Pride 13 after defeating Kazushi Sakuraba
2005 Ricardo Arona
August 28, 2005 Arona pulls an upset on Silva to become the Pride lineal champion for a single moment.
2005-2007 Mauricio RuaLater that day, 'Shogun' would knockout Arona to win the Pride grand prix title and the Pride lineage.
2007-2008 Forest Griffin
September 22, 2007 Griffin pulls an upset on 'Shoguns' UFC debut
UFC vs. Pride Lineage
At UFC 86 the undisputed light heavyweight lineage is up for grabs, and the victor goes to...
2008 Forrest Griffin
July 5, 2008 Griffin wins the light heavyweight title and the undisputed light heavyweight lineal crown.
2008-2009 Rashad Evans
December 27, 2008 Evans remains undefeated and wins the light heavyweight title
2009 Lyoto Machida
May 23, 2009 welcome to the Machida Era
2009-2011 Mauricio Rua
Even in defeat the lineage returns to 'Shogun'. He does go on to knockout Machida to officially claim the title on May 8, 2010 at UFC 113.
2011-present Jon Jones
On March 19, 2011 Jones wins the light heavyweight title and the lineage.
