This Saturday (30), the duel between flyweights Brandon Moreno and Kai Kara-France defines the 22nd interim champion in UFC history; remember all the previous ones in chronological order.
Randy Couture (x Chuck Liddell)
In 2003, Couture became the first interim champion in UFC history when he knocked out Liddell at UFC 43; Afterwards, 'Natural' unified the titles by beating Tito Ortiz.
Andrei Arlovski (x Tim Sylvia)
In 2005, Arlovski became the first interim heavyweight champion by submitting Sylvia in just 47 seconds at UFC 51. The Belarusian also defended the interim title before being promoted to lineal champion in the same year.
Georges St-Pierre(x Matt Hughes)
GSP became the first interim welterweight champion by submitting Hughes at UFC 79. Afterwards, the Canadian took revenge on the 'zebra' Matt Serra and regained the linear belt, which he defended on nine occasions.
Rodrigo Minotauro(x Tim Sylvia)
In 2008, in his second UFC fight, Rodrigo Minotauro submitted Tim Sylvia at UFC 81 to become interim heavyweight champion.
Frank mir(x Rodrigo Minotauro)
In his first attempt to defend the interim belt, back in 2008, the Brazilian ended up being knocked out by Frank Mir at UFC 92.
Shane carwin(x Frank Mir)
Two years later, in 2010, Mir returned to fight for the interim heavyweight belt, but ended up being knocked out by Shane Carwin at UFC 111.
Carlos Condit(x Nick Diaz)
In 2012, it was Carlos Condit's turn to overcome Nick Diaz at UFC 143 to become the second interim champion in welterweight history.
Renan Barao(x Urijah Faber)
Also in 2012, Renan Barão overcame the 'California Kid' at UFC 149 to become the first interim bantamweight champion; the Brazilian defended the interim title twice before being promoted to linear champion.
Fabrício Werdum (x Mark Hunt)
In 2014, Fabrício Werdum knocked out Mark Hunt for the interim heavyweight belt at UFC 180. Afterwards, the Brazilian submitted Cain Velasquez to unify the titles.
Conor McGregor (x Chad Mendes)
On his way to becoming the UFC's biggest star, Conor McGregor became interim featherweight champion by knocking out Chad Mendes in 2015, at UFC 189. In the same year, the Irishman knocked out José Aldo for the straight title.
Jon Jones(x Ovince Saint-Preux)
After losing his belt and serving a suspension for his involvement in a traffic accident, Jon Jones became the second interim champion in light heavyweight history when he beat OSP at UFC 197 in 2016.
José Aldo(x Frankie Edgar)
Dethroned by McGregor in 2015, José Aldo won the interim featherweight belt by beating Frankie Edgar at UFC 200, in 2016. The Brazilian was later promoted to lineal champion.
Max Holloway(x Anthony Pettis)
Max Holloway began his featherweight reign by winning the interim belt by knocking out Anthony Pettis at UFC 206. Afterwards, the Hawaiian unified the titles against José Aldo and defended the linear belt on two occasions.
Robert Whittaker (x Yoel Romero)
In 2017, 'Bobby Knuckles' defeated Romero at UFC 213 to take the interim middleweight title. The Australian was promoted to linear champion afterwards.
Tony Ferguson (x Kevin Lee)
Also in 2017, Ferguson won his tenth consecutive victory and became interim lightweight champion by submitting Kevin Lee at UFC 216. 'El Cucuy', however, had the title stripped due to an injury.
Colby Covington (x Rafael dos Anjos)
In 2018, at UFC 225, Colby Covington became interim welterweight champion by overcoming Rafael dos Anjos. 'Chaos' had his title stripped because he was unavailable to face lineal champion Tyron Woodley.
Israel adesanya(x Kelvin Gastelum)
Adesanya became interim champion after beating Gastelum in an exciting duel at UFC 236. The Nigerian unified the titles against Robert Whittaker and, three years later, remains middleweight champion, with five defenses.
Dustin Poirier (x Max Holloway)
Also at UFC 236, Poirier overcame Holloway to become interim lightweight champion. The 'Diamond', however, was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov in an attempt to unify the titles.
Justin gaethje(x Tony Ferguson)
In 2020, Justin Gaethje knocked out Tony Ferguson to become interim lightweight champion, but also ended up submitted by Khabib in an attempt to unify the titles.
Cyryl Gane(x Derrick Lewis)
Returning to the division with the most interim champions in history, Gane won the heavyweight title by knocking out Lewis at UFC 265. Six months later, however, he was surpassed by lineal champion Francis Ngannou.
Petr yan(x Cory Sandhagen)
Finally, the former bantamweight champion won the interim belt by overcoming Sandhagen at UFC 267, but ended up defeated in the rematch against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 273, to unify the titles.