Who became the first UFC heavyweight champion under the modern title system?

Mark Coleman became the first UFC heavyweight champion under the modern title system.

Coleman won the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 12 on February 7, 1997, in Dothan, Alabama. He defeated Dan Severn by submission in the tournament final, using a keylock to secure the championship. This title was the first UFC heavyweight belt awarded outside the promotion’s earlier tournament-only format.

The distinction matters because UFC events before UFC 12 generally crowned tournament winners rather than champions in established divisions. UFC 12 introduced the heavyweight and lightweight championships, marking a major step toward the divisional structure used today.

Coleman had an elite wrestling background and became known as “The Hammer.” He later defended the UFC heavyweight title against Maurice Smith before losing it to Randy Couture at UFC 13. His influence extended beyond the UFC through championships in PRIDE and other major organizations.