They can either move up in weight or down as long as they can go through a weight cut and hit the scale at the required limits. Womens featherweight: 145 pounds. Which UFC Weight Class Has The Most Fighters? This is today. Keep reading this article as we discuss UFC weight classes in more detail and teach you more about how this system works in practice. Now you might want to go learn about the UFC viewership statistics which has a ton of interesting data. Lightweights used to be the smallest division at a 155-pounds/70.3-kilograms/11.1-stone weight limit. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For example, if the fight is scheduled as a lightweight bout, both fighters can weigh in no more than 156 lbs for non-title fights, and a maximum of 155 lbs for title fights. UFC fighters are split into different weight classes where they compete against opponents similar in weight and size. Womens UFC weight classes in order (lowest weights to heaviest in KG) Strawweight 52.2KG or under. The title wasnt around for very long, but Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn were two winners between 1995 and 1996. A catchweight is a fight falling outside of the weight class divisions. Talent lies in every weight class, not just the heaviest or the lightest. The full list of nine UFC weight classes (divisions) is as follows: Heres a handy infographic that makes it even easier to understand: Some are women-only, some men-only, and there can even be a temporary catchweight class, so keep reading to learn the full breakdown. Flyweight The upper weight limit is 125lbs, there is a class below this called strawweight but it is rarely used. For eight years, Penn, nicknamed the prodigy, reigned at 115 lbs (52.1 kg). Weight minimums technically exist too. Women generally are different than men as they are smaller in size, frame, and weight. Middleweight: 185 pounds. The full And the Super Lightweight, Super Welterweight, Super Middleweight, and Cruiserweight classes were added in 2017. The last weight class to feature both a mens and womens division is featherweight. UFC weight classes prevent athletes from gaining a physical advantage over smaller opponents. Heavier fighters must cut weight to meet the upper limit.Brock Lesnar is a former heavyweight champion who walked at around 280 pounds and needed to cut weight to compete in the UFC.In the modern era, Francis Ngannou is also known for walking around 290 pounds outside the training camp.In 2021, Justin Tafa became the first UFC heavyweight in history to miss weight as he came in at 267 pounds, 2 pounds above the upper limit. Theyd have to pick their states carefully and get permission from the state office and the athletic commission.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za6HeiTJIWIVideo cant be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: On This Day: The First UFC Fight Ever | UFC 1 Free Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za6HeiTJIWI). The Heavyweight weight class has the most knockouts in the UFC. These weight classes, sometimes called UFC weight divisions, span mens and womens weight classes, with a few differences due to physical attributes. In this article, well look at the UFC weight classes, how theyve changed over time, why they have them, how they compare to other MMA promotions and their use. Johnson ranks first in title defenses in this division as he's held the championship title for 2,142 days and defended it 11 times. It was THE ultimate fighting tournament to decide who was the better fighter. WebThe UFC realigned their weight classes to comply with these new regulations in 2001, beginning with UFC 31. Featherweight (135-145 lbs) 1.5. There are no other specific requirements or rules to follow. Web Story: All UFC Weight Classes Explained In Order. Weight class divisions are a necessary part of the sport, and MMA promotions vary in their amount of divisions. No votes so far! Lightweight? Middleweight: 185 pounds. In some cases, a fighter might decide to drop down in weight since they feel physically inferior. The UFC weight classes have changed massively since the promotions inception, going to 8 in just 8 years, while the final 4 divisions took an extra 16 years to bring the total to 12. When she met Holly Holm at UFC 193, head kicks and punches gave her a knockout and cost her the championship. If we further break down these 9 weight classes based on gender, we will get 12 weight classes in the UFC which you can see below with respect to the upper limits of each weight category. The UFC has eight weight classes. Women compete in the featherweight, bantamweight, flyweight and strawweight divisions at the same weight limits as men. That's why failing pre-fight weigh-ins can cost a UFC fighter a title and a percentage of their fight purse. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. He became the Interim UFC Lightweight Champion in 2019 after beating Max Holloway. The Last Stylebender, Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya, holds the current middleweight champion title. While the UFC uses nine different weight divisions for male and female fighters, there are fourteen possible weight classes that can be used in mixed martial arts. The weight classes in the UFC are not the same as in Boxing. Heavyweight (men only) 205 to 265 lbs (93 to 120.2 kg) UFC weight classes. It did so without set weight classes or any rules. Conor McGregor held this title between 2008-2012 and 2016-2018. As you can imagine, these UFC weight classes werent perfect straight away. UFC fighters rarely change weight classes. Despite there being only 9 divisions presented here, mens and womens divisions are separate (8+4) and make a total of 12 UFC weight classes. But most fighters carry weight is much heavier than they normally fight at, sometimes 10-15 lbs heavier! Featherweight 65.8KG or under. The most notable case of non-professionals competing in the UFC is former WWE champion CM Punk failing to transition from the ring to the Octagon. And sometimes that means literally! Each fighter must weigh at the maximum of the prior weight class to compete in the next one up, albeit itd be fairly foolish to concede that much size and inherent strength to a larger opponent. 135 lb (61.2 kg) Flyweight. Do you know how many weight divisions there are in the UFC? Lightweight? John McCain led a charge to strike the organization back down, declaring MMA human cockfighting, which caused the UFC to lose deals and good faith with the media. There are a total of 12 weight class divisions in the UFC, 8 divisions for men, and 4 divisions for women. The Welterweight weight class has the most fighters in the UFC, with 91 active Welterweight male fighters. When kids become adults, flailing slaps become precise punches and hair-pulling evolves into years of rigorously sharpened grappling expertise with that, the chance for permanent damage when facing bigger opponents multiplies. A real-life example of this was when the Middleweight fighter Rich Franklin agreed to a Catchweight at 195 lbs / 88.45 kg against the Light Heavyweight Wanderlei Silva for UFC 99. But, there were other bouts before this one, as the first middleweight event was at UFC 33 in 2001. Former NFL Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy fared better than his predecessors, achieving a 7-5 record in the UFC and even lasting the distance with No. Thanks to all my friends who support me. Required fields are marked *. Bantamweight contests occur at a 135-pound/61.2-kilogram/ 9.6-stone weight limit. WebThe second on the list of UFC weight classes, the UFCs flyweight division is yet another star-studded category that includes both men and women fighters who weigh between For instance, Alex Pereira competes in a 185-pound division but weighs 220 pounds outside the competition. It did so without set weight classes or any rules. Knock-Out Point: One interesting subject to talk about is weight management. In other martial arts competitions, weight can be even more important. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device.We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development.An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Dillashaw has held the championship title several times, amounting to 1,104 days, but not as many as Dominick's 1,465 days as a bantamweight champion. (Explained With Tables), What Is the UFC Apex? How Often Do UFC Fighters Change Weight Classes? The flyweight division is the first of three weight classes And if this wasnt dangerous enough, there were no time limits or protective gear. Your email address will not be published. Though Montano won, Dana White surrendered her title the following year due to medical issues arising from her attempts to cut weight. Are UFC Weight Classes The Same As Boxing? UFC Womens Weight Classes Heavyweight Division 265 lb (120.2 kg) Light Heavyweight Division 205 lb (102.1 kg) Middleweight Division 185 lb (83.9 kg) Jdrzejczyk has a record of one of the most title defenses among women fighters, having defended it six times. There are eight primary weight divisions in the UFC. However, Dana White is against the idea and said theres no chance of this division until at least 2026 when his current contract expires. The middleweight division holds fighters weighing between 170 lbs (77.1 kg) and 185 lbs (84 kg). These are: Started in 2014, the division has a lower limit of 106 pounds (48 kg) and an upper limit of 115 lbs (52.2 kg). When two fighters go head to head, their skill and weight directly affect the outcome. Famed Japanese UFC rival Pride hosted many. Without the weight classes, a physically superior fighter can rely on sheer force to dominate the smaller opponent. Learn more. Interestingly, though, a sports analyst at Berkeley found that since weight classes were introduced in the UFC in 1997, the heavier opponent only won 20% of the time: I gathered data from every UFC fight since 1997 (the year the UFC implemented weight classes) and calculated the win ratio of the heavier opponent to be 20.4/100. Max Weigh-in Weight. 12 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbJvrAfnKQU), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za6HeiTJIWI, On This Day: The First UFC Fight Ever | UFC 1 Free Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za6HeiTJIWI), Heavyweight weight class has the most knockouts, Moving the fight to a Catchweight weight class, 20-30% of the purse given to the opponent, Champions can be forced to vacate the belt before a title fight. RECAP! They make it easy for fans to identify fighters by their divisions, and easily see the best within each weight class. As introduced in the table above, women compete in only four divisions, which are the strawweight, flyweight, bantamweight, and featherweight. The division includes both male and female fighters. Being tall can actually be considered a disadvantage in some cases as it makes you prone to takedowns, for instance. Women compete in the featherweight, bantamweight, flyweight and strawweight divisions at the same weight limits as men. It has a lower limit of 205 lbs (93 kg) and an upper limit of 265 lbs (120.2 kg). The concept of 12 divisions came a few years later with the birth of the Unified Rules of MMA in 2000. After this, the UFC didnt adopt any additional divisions until its merger with World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in 2010 when they added the bantamweight (135 lbs) and featherweight (145 lbs) divisions. Below is a proposed new set of weight classes that I think would help to make a positive change to the UFC, for the fighters, for the fans and for the UFC itself. Top names in this division are Brian Ortega, Max Holloway, and the 2020 reigning champion, Alexander Volkanovski. Fighters you might know in this weight division are Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, T.J. Dillashaw, and Dominick Cruz. It gave Valentina Shevchenko a shot at the title, and she's the reigning champion since she fought Joanna Jdrzejczyk in 2018. The UFC is divided into weight divisions, each spanning about ten pounds. Weight Class: Featherweight (2008-2015), Lightweight (2008-2012, 2016-2018, 2021-Present), Welterweight (2016, 2020). Flyweight 56.7KG or under. A total of 170 lbs is the Welterweight UFC weight class. Also Check: Updated UFC Rankings for All Weight Divison # WebThe Ultimate Fighting Championship introduced two weight classes at UFC 12: Heavyweight, which grouped competitors above 200 lb (91 kg), and Lightweight, which grouped competitors Flyweights dont possess wings, but their reflexes create that illusion at a 125-pound/56.7-kilogram/8.9-stone weight limit. The reverse applies to smaller combatants. While at the UFC, his opponents included John Dodson, Ray Borg, and John Moraga. In 2022, the UFC has 12 weight class divisions while the Official Rules Of MMA present 15 possible weight classes, and this is before separating them into mens and womens divisions. Before him, however, were other UFC champions like Frank Shamrock, Jan Blachowicz, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, and Jon Jones. 5 UFC Flyweight Division. These divisions were: Strawweight in 2015, Super Lightweight, Super Welterweight, Super Middleweight, and Cruiserweight added in 2017. What is considered heavy weight in UFC? The UFC heavy weight division upper limit of 265 lbs is the heaviest any fighter can weigh whilst competing in the UFC. Some fighters are so heavy they actually still have to cut weight to get down to this weight. Examples include Brock Lesnar, Mark Hunt and Antonio bigfoot Silva. Weight classes are used to classify fighters at different weights. However, with there being an array of promotions including the UFC, Bellator and ONE FC, some differ when it comes to weight classes. For example, the UFC has 12 weight divisions compared Royce Gracie introduced much of the ignorant sports world to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu via submitting considerably larger opponents. This was one of the early promotional messages that came with the UFC. WebUFC Results. Below is an overview of the full list of weight classes with the weigh-in ranges and who the current champions are. All of this data comes from the UFC website and is updated on our website after every UFC event. Randy Couture (light heavyweight and heavyweight), B.J. Strawweight was added in 2015. Strawweight up to 115lb. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. Thats why today we see the likes of Paddy Pimblett do huge weight cuts leading to a fight. These classes are divided based on weight, and fighters are paired with each other based on that. Min Weigh-in Weight. ), Dana White Blackjack Gambling (His Part-Time Job). WebWeight class Upper weight limit Strawweight: 115 lb (52.2 kg) Flyweight: 125 lb (56.7 kg) Bantamweight: 135 lb (61.2 kg) Featherweight: 145 lb (65.8 kg) Lightweight: 155 With a record of 23-1, Jones attacking abilities are his greatest strength. Theyve been readjusted a few times including most recently for UFC 31, where theyre now pretty much set in stone. Jose Aldo got the inaugural title because he was the WEC champion before this organization merged with the UFC. They might have a hard time dealing with bigger and heavier opponents within a division. Why It is common for athletes under this category to display the fastest and best jiu-jitsu. Some can cut a lot of weight and make it look easy, but for others, it can be like putting themselves through a torture camp. To make sure both fighters come in at the upper limit of the specified weight class, both fighters must attend a weigh-in the day before a fight. Openweight meant that any fighter could fight any other if they agreed. Cutting weight is the process of losing water weight from the body and is used by fighters in the week before weigh-ins in order to fight in the division below their normal weight. Heavyweights live up to their namesake, carrying the most size at a 265-pound/120.2-kilogram/18.9-stone maximum. Weight divisions have evolved with the UFCs acquisitions and athletic commission regulations since then. Also check out, what is UFC no contest bet. Introduced in December 2017, the second UFC division has a lower limit of 115 lbs (52.2 kg) and an upper limit of 125 lbs (56.7 kg). K2Promos.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Enter your email address below to subscribe to my newsletter. The reason for this is the UFC was trying to identify the most effective martial art in a no holds barred format, meaning there were minimal rules and no weight classes. It's another star-studded mixed martial arts class as it has the likes of Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, Kevin Lee, and the reigning champion Charles Oliveira. The sport dates back to the Pankration in 648 BC during the Greek Olympics event. Each athlete who competes on the card must step on the scale within the upper and lower weight limits of a division they compete in. In addition, the sport has attracted more than 1 million pay-per-view (PPV) sales in the last five years. UFC Weight Divisions For Women Women's Featherweight: 135 - 145 Pounds (62 - 66 Jackson Miller spent his early days in karate, swimming, track, and mixed martial arts. But the presidentDana White stated multiple timesthe UFC wont adopt a 165-pound division as long as he is in charge.On the other side, the MMA community advocated for this change. Unlike other championship titles where opponents have to battle it out, Ronda Rousey got the inaugural title without a title bout. Conor is one of those fighters that has had some pretty extreme weight cuts to reach the lower weight classes. That's how Cyborg got a shot at the featherweight championship, defeated Tonya Evinger, and defended it twice. This is the full list of all eight weight classes for the men in the UFC, including their upper weight limit in pounds and kilograms:Weight Class (Division)Weight (lbs)Weight (kg)Flyweight125 lbs56.7 kgBantamweight135 lbs61.2 kgFeatherweight145 lbs65.8 kgLightweight155 lbs70.3 kgWelterweight170 lbs77.1 kgMiddleweight185 lbs83.9 kgLight Heavyweight205 lbs93.0 kgHeavyweight265 lbs120.2kgUnified Rules Of MMA, 2018. Here is a list of some of the greatest UFC fighters. Strawweight remains the lightest weight class with its 115-pound/52.2-kilogram/8.2-stone weight limit. Which is the No. During its inception, UFC had minimal rules for the athletes. While in the UFC, Couture secured the following titles: Alongside Conor McGregor and B.J Penn, Couture is the third fighter to hold two UFC Champion titles. 1 weight class in the UFC? Nevertheless, she's on the list of women who've had most title defenses with six wins and two losses. We also earn commissions from other affiliate advertising programs, but this doesn't influence product placements in our buying guides. He's now in the lightweight division. Also, we can't forget Khabib Nurmagomedov, who reigned for 1,077 days and defended the title thrice. Just remember how Israel Adesanya struggled against much heavier Jan Blachowicz during the grappling exchanges. Every UFC fight night was in the Openweight class. Being heavier also gives you a considerable advantage in the grappling department. Knock-Out Point: Learn about becoming one of the future MMA combatants by reading our post here -- How To Become A UFC Fighter. divisions available for male UFC fighters, fighters experience a grueling weight cut, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbJvrAfnKQU, Cutting Weight For UFC London | BaddyTV Ep. Without this new agreement at a Catchweight, both fighters could lose the opportunity to fight and make money. Penn (lightweight and welterweight) and George St. Pierre (middleweight and welterweight) captured championships in multiple divisions, but never held multiple at once. The UFC now has 12 weight classes: eight mens and four womens. As seen, there are significantly fewer weight categories for female UFC fighters. Russias biggest MMA promotion, Absolute Championship Ahkmat, has 8 mens divisions, while none for women. Barao Beats Up Nover In Brasilia. BJ Penn and Caol Uno drew both times at UFC 39 & UFC 41. It is the largest MMA promotion company in the world as of 2011. Thats how eight plus four gives you nine weight classes instead of 12 divisions. Excitement over the perceived innovations bubbled the underground UFC to the surface. The UFC weight classes differ from other MMA promotions as although operating under the Official Unified Rules Of MMA, the rules dont state a minimum or maximum amount of divisions an MMA promotion must have, meaning theyre free to pick the divisions they want. For some reason, this practice still exists to bring fighters within an agreed weight limit. Even if the smaller fighter is more skillful, they would have difficulty using this to their advantage. Weight classes are a big part of how the UFC protects its fighters. Bantamweight A lifelong martial arts fan who fell in love with MMA in 2018 and has practiced mixed martial arts ever since. Mens Heavyweight. Additionally, McGregor was UFC's first MMA fighter to hold titles in multiple divisions as he was the featherweight champion from December 2015 to November 2016 and the lightweight champion from November 2016. Dustin Poiriers All-New Creole Maple Hot Sauce, All UFC Weight Classes Explained In Order, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, All MMA Weight Classes In Order (Unified Rules Of MMA), Common Questions About UFC Weight Classes. UFC weight classes work by placing every scheduled fight into a contracted and agreed-upon division between two fighters. Men's Heavyweight Class: 205 - 265 Pounds ( 93 - 120 Kg), Light Heavyweight Division: 185 - 205 Pounds (84 - 93 Kg), Middleweight Division: 170 - 185 Pounds (78 - 84 Kg), Men's Welterweight Class: 155 - 170 Pounds (71 - 77 Kg), UFC Lightweight Class: 145 - 155 Pounds (66 - 70 Kg), Men's Featherweight Division: 135 - 145 Pounds (61 - 66 Kg), Bantamweight Division: 125 - 135 Pounds (57 - 61 Kg), Men's UFC Flyweight Division: 116 - 125 Pounds (53 - 57 Kg), Women's Featherweight: 135 - 145 Pounds (62 - 66 Kg), Women's Bantamweight: 125 - 135 Pounds (57 - 61 Kg), Women's Flyweight: 115 - 125 Pounds (53-57 Kg), Strawweight: Upper Weight Limit Of 115 Pounds (52 Kg). This most likely is a remnant from Boxing fans who are used to paying the biggest bucks to get access to the biggest fights. Close behind is the Lightweight roster with 90 male fighters. Larger fighters generally sacrifice cardiovascular endurance and speed in exchange for power and ability to absorb greater punishment. Dubbed the Iceman, UFC has Lidell to thank for the increased mainstream audience within the United States and beyond. (Fully Explained), 18 Best UFC Trash Talkers Of All Time (2022 Ranked! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lightweight (145-155 lbs) 1.6. Welterweights battle at a 170-pound/77.1-kilogram/12.1-stone weight limit. Above all, introducing a new weight class will improve the safety of the fighters, who will no longer have to put their health at risk by going through brutal weight cuts. UFC consists of 12 weight classes, of which 8 are for men and 4 for women. Which is the No. Joe has been a passionate mixed martial artist in training since 2019, having studied Boxing and Muay Thai at BaliMMA and Soma Fight Club, as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with RitualsJJ. A total of eight weight classes are the usual divisions available for male UFC fighters. Some of these classes may include both men and women, while some are exclusively for men. The main purpose of weight classes is to improve the safety of the fighters and make the matches fair and equal. In the UFC, the current weight divisions are: Men compete in every division except strawweight. Those weight classes are flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light-heavyweight, and heavyweight. by Andrew Richardson MMAmania.com Sep 25, 2016, 10:00am EDT. The UFC did not always have weight classes. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Currently, there are only four weight divisions for UFC womens matchups. He also feels adding more weight class divisions would make the UFC more like boxing, where it loses its simplicity and is hard to follow. Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche (2013) was the first UFC womens fight, which ended with Rousey defending her title. How is he able to pass the scale? These weight divisions allow officials to place fighters in fair competitions with fighters of roughly the same size and weight. The tagline back in the early days was There are no rules. Middleweight (170-185 lbs) 1.8. The fifth UFC division is the featherweight with a limit of 135 lbs (61.2 kg) to 145 lbs (65.8 kg). Required fields are marked *. What are the different types of weight in UFC? Breakdown of UFC Weight Classes Strawweight. Strawweight is a womens-only weight division, one of the three divisions in which female UFC fighters compete. Flyweight. Flyweight is the lightest division in the mens circuit, consisting of fighters under 125 lbs. Bantamweight. 9 There are currently 9 weight classes in total in UFC. Over the years there was some controversy and so rules were introduced slowly. The lightweight division is for male athletes weighing between 145 lbs (65.8 kg) to 155 lbs (70.3kg). Weight Class: Lightweight (2009-2010, 2015-Present). UFC Weight Divisions 1.1. Differences in weight were as high as 100 pounds in some matches. Men don't have a strawweight division. He fought during the early days of the UFC in an open division because there were no weight classes at the time.He fought at the memorable UFC 3 event in which he lost by TKO against Keith Hackney, who weighed 200 pounds. The UFC attributes most of its pay-per-view money to athletes in this division. White feels that 165 is too close to the welterweight division and doesnt make sense as it would take fighters from this division. The earliest superstar in UFC history, Chuck Lidell ranks as one of the best UFC fighters owing to his dominant reign of the light-heavyweight title. If a UFC fighter on a weigh-in day misses the maximum limit for their weight class division, the fight will either be moved to the next weight class above or will be fought at catchweight. Instead, they would fall under the Welterweight division of 170 lbs maximum weight. Champions of a specific weight class often move up to challenge the winner of the other division. In the UFC, top fighters get to compete in a series of weight classes. There are now eight mens weight classes and four womens divisions. This division has an upper limit of 135 pounds (61.2 kg) and a lower limit of 125 pounds (56.7 kg). In terms of viewership, research suggests that pay-per-view buyers are most interested in watching Heavyweight fights. They intended to safeguard fighters against injuries and ensure fair fights. 12 Best Trash Talkers in the History of the UFC, Is Karate Effective in MMA? Now let me answer a handful of the most common questions about the UFCs weight classes. The tagline back in the early days was There are no rules. Heres a table showing how the UFCs tournaments started as openweight and gradually took on weight class divisions until the tournaments were eventually phased out: Note: this table doesnt include the superfight winners which the UFC implemented since UFC 5. The Openweight class was also used in special events called the Superfight Championship. Other middleweight champions since 2008 are Robert Whittaker, Michael Bisping, and the incumbent, Israel Adesanya. But they will always be at risk of severe injury from a strike by a heavier fighter because of weight. In an attempt to clean up its raw image, the UFC split combatants into heavyweight (above 200 pounds) and lightweight (below 200 pounds) classifications in 1997. All You Need To Know, Top 15 UFC Commentators of All Time You Need To Know, Do MMA Fighters Jump Rope? Kamaru, dubbed The Nigerian Nightmare, defended his title against Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington to a victorious triumph. Seems like we didn't get it right this time Joe Bloom is the lead author and editor of MMA Hive. Learn more. Theyll usually wear the lightest MMA gloves for the UFC fights. Known as the most balanced division, athletes in this category are neither too heavy nor too light. The Russian wrestler is popularly known for his strong religious beliefs leading to his massive following. In Boxing, the Middleweight division is 60 lbs. Bantamweight 61.2KG or under. Among the champions at the time were Rich Franklin and Murilo Bustamante. The Light Heavyweight division holds athletes weighing between 185 lbs (84 kg) to 205 lbs (93 kg). This is different from the UFC as they have a female atomweight division and a mens strawweight division, but not a female featherweight division. It wasnt until UFC 12 that weight divisions became a thing. 7 heavyweight Alexander Volkov. They share similar names but with different weight limits. Originating in 2010, after absorbing WECs 145-pound weight class, the UFC featherweight division has been the home to some of the most highly anticipated matchups in UFC history, including a title bout between the inaugural champion Jos Aldo and Irish superstar The bantamweight division was removed. (Tickets, Features, Octagon Size), UFC Fighter Diet: What Do UFC Fighters Eat? Men and women may compete in the same weight classes, though the heaviest classes are reserved for men. WebThe UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) was founded in 1993. Origins of Weight Classes The Mixed Martial Arts Unified Rules proposes 185 to 204.9 pounds. The division holds athletes weighing between 155 lbs (70.3 kg) to 170 lbs (77.1 kg). Fighters undergo a brutal weight-cutting process in which they lose up to 40 pounds in under a week. Women's featherweight will not be included as the division has less than 15 fighters on its roster and is not really comparable to the other weight classes. There have only been three championship title holders in this division, and the third fighter, who is also the incumbent, is Amanda Nunes. There are four weight classes or divisions, namely Strawweight, Flyweight, Bantamweight and Featherweight. The UFC avoids brutality by enforcing weight classes in accordance with athletic commission guidelines. Theyll only get paid for making an appearance, not for nearly making an appearance. More weight enables you to cause severe damage and hurt the opponent easier. Following on from the table, the middleweight division was introduced in December 1997 at UFC Japan (which was actually todays light heavyweight division), with the welterweight division and light heavyweight division in March 1998 at UFC 16. Official UFC weigh-ins are hosted around 24 hours before the event kicks off. As the sport of MMA has evolved, though, an additional four have been added. It enables you to overwhelm the smaller opponent with size and strength. It would seem that both these weights provide the optimum fighter power for knocking out an opponent at the same weight class. Over time, other divisions were introduced, and actual weights were moved around as the sport continued to evolve and more fighters joined up. He played in the featherweight category in 2008, moved to the welterweight class in 2016 and 2020, then switched back to the lightweight division. Punk then lost a one-sided decision to literal mailman Mike Thriller Jackson. The UFC also partners with the Cleveland Clinic in studying brain health, according to a 2016 announcement. This article outlines each UFC weight class and associated limits. Rousey was ranked as the most dominant athlete by two magazines in May 2015. If a UFC champion misses weight, theyre stripped of the title, as recently seen with Charles Olivera at UFC 274, and if a challenger misses weight, they can no longer win the championship title and belt. Womens bantamweight: 135 pounds (tie) Light heavyweight: 205 pounds (tie) Womens flyweight: 125 pounds. It's one of the weight classes UFC is famous for because of fighters like Demetrious Johnson, Henry Cejudo, and Joseph Benavidez. Weve already told you who the current champion is for each UFC weight class, now well give you the ful list for each weight division. When you purchase through one of our links we may earn an affiliate commission (at no cost to you). Required fields are marked *. The following is a list of each UFC weight division: Weight Division. The UFC also partnered with USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) to carry out random testing on athletes year round. Your email address will not be published. The most talked-about weight class being introduced is a UFC 165 lbs weight class, known as the super lightweight division in the unified rules. A heavier fighter is better at knocking out and seriously harming someone lighter than them. Their weight did not matter. One of the three fighters to hold multiple titles in different weight classes, Penn is a former UFC Welterweight champion and UFC Lightweight champion. If youre wondering what the weight class is for some of your favorite fighters, then let me help. Plus, not all fighters know how to get the most out of their long reach and height. Olympic Martial Arts Which are in the Modern Games? Two years later in 2014, the UFC introduced the womens strawweight division, and three years later in 2017, came the womens featherweight and flyweight divisions. Mixed martial arts has nine categories, from the super heavyweight division, which has no upper weight limit, to the strawweight division, which groups fighters under 115 pounds. Understanding UFC Weight Classes Strawweight 115 pounds. This Las Vegas performance earned her 92 days as the reigning strawweight champion until Joanna Jdrzejczyk won via a technical knockout. In 1993 when the UFC came to be, the promotion didnt have weight classes for the first four years. Top 10 Best Heavyweight Boxers of all time. The UFC first used weight class divisions at UFC 12 in 1997, which were the lightweight division and the heavyweight division. The UFC also has weight classes because it allows them to have extra undisputed champions, interim champions, and division rosters, resulting in more fights, promotion, and revenue. This wrestler weighs 170 pounds, and his defense fights have pitted him against Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal several times. The UFC needed to regulate the sport and make drastic safety changes to keep operating. For example, athletes were expected to know elements of the following: The UFCs goal was to maintain an atmosphere where athletes could display these skills safely in a controlled environment. Once they are ready to fight, the UFC books them to compete in their division against an opponent who weighs the same. Strawweight (106-115 lbs) 1.2. McGregor won both the featherweight and the lightweight championship titles at different points in his career. One such fighter was Kevin Gastelum, who, at 170 pounds, missed the weight a couple of times and needed to move up and compete in the 185-pound division. The title was formed to create an ultimate champion that anyone could challenge, regardless of weight. Which UFC Weight Class Has The Most Knockouts? Openweight matches and tournaments are when weight restrictions are completely lifted in combat sports. Featherweight (2011-2014). For instance, McGregor lost it due to inactivity, and Sean Sherk tested positive for anabolic steroids. Weight plays a huge factor, not just in MMA but in general combat. Some of these fighters have had experience in different divisions, and Ill note each one: Weight Class: Welterweight (2012-Present). Are you wondering what the UFC weight classes are and how theyve changed over time? Therefore, the mens eight divisions plus the womens strawweight category gives you nine divisions. For instance, lightweight fighters must step on the scale at or below 155 pounds but no less than 145 pounds. UFC heavyweight division has the upper weight limit of 265 pounds, which is the heaviest UFC fighter can be. No requirement. K2Promos is reader-supported. Welterweight (155-170 lbs) 1.7. Three (Flyweight, Bantamweight, and Featherweight) match up with the mens divisions. A fighters natural frame and skill set lends itself to an optimal division, but UFC athletes are welcome to compete in any division, as long as they consistently make weight and avoid athletic commission issues (or Dana Whites bad side). In the beginning, there were only two divisions: TheUnified Rules of MMAcame three years later, in 2000, with a 9-weight-class concept. 3 The UFC Rankings By Weight Class . Manage Settings Allow Necessary Cookies & ContinueContinue with Recommended Cookies. Lastly, One Championship has 13 weight classes, separated into 4 womens divisions and 9 mens divisions. So its usually the best option. 205 lbs (93 kg) How much do UFC light heavyweights weigh. Notice that there are stars in every division. Read our post -- How Do UFC Fighters Cut Weight. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. 12 Best Black Friday Boxing Deals For 2022, Hayabusa Marvels Deadpool Boxing Gloves Review, How To Clean Boxing Gloves Perfectly (In 7 Easy Steps). The first womens weight class was the bantamweight division, created in 2012. Conor McGregor weighs about 155 pounds (over 71 kg). Weight matters a lot in wrestling, for example. He had some expertise to help him get as low as Featherweight. The UFC was founded in 1993, and until UFC 12 all UFC events were openweight tournaments meaning any fighter of any weight could compete. The UFCs weight classes differ from Bellator, which has 9 weight class divisions, separated into 7 for men, and 2 for women. In modern times, not a single Athletic Commission would approve this match. Between its first event in 1993 and 1997, UFC fights were held in an Openweight division. We offer in-depth articles and analysis of karate, taekwondo, judo, aikido, taijiquan, and shaolinquan, and many other Asian-based martial arts. Fighting in the UFC hits differently than fighting in the schoolyard. 2. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The UFC Current champions That's over 1,000 days as the women's flyweight champion. His catapult to fame attributes to his victory over Conor McGregor. Like most fighting sports, the UFC matchups are organized for two opponents of the same weight to fight to create a fair standard for competition. However, his wins weren't simultaneous. Do you know how each of these players meets the proper weigh-in requirements? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The UFC call anything between 116 to 125 lbs a flyweight. The best example is Conor McGregor, a 145-pound champion at the time, who moved up a division to beat Eddie Alvarez to win the 155-pound title. Anderson Silva was the first champion when the UFC merged with Pride World in 2008. It was a thrilling night because the famous Vitor Belfort made his debut in the heavyweight class by fighting Tra Telligman in the semifinal and winning against Scott Ferrozzo. But, that didn't grant him immunity against opponents, and he had to defend the title seven times. Benefits of MMA Training: Why should You get into it? But the Superfight Champion title and the Openweight weight class were removed in 1997 when the UFC finally introduced Heavyweight to replace the Superfight title and Lightweight. However, they are just one part of a bigger strategy. Some of these classes include heavyweight, lightweight, and strawweight. They are listed as follows: The UFC introduced most women's divisions recently, this one's inaugural event being in February 2017. We'll explain how eight plus four makes nine and not 11 as we list all divisions below. Disclaimer- PunchPrime.com is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Heres a table showing the UFC weight classes (divisions) for both men and women: As can be seen, women fight in the 4 lightest divisions, while men fight in the 8 heavier divisions. They choose the division based on various factors such as physical attributes, body frame, and ability to cut weight. Since fighters are similar in size, they both need skill and technique to win the fight. In that same year the UFC announced the Women's Flyweight division would officially be added, with the winner of the 26th season of The Ultimate Fighter to be named the inaugural champion. He was the first UFC champion in this weight division. There are nine weight classes for UFC fighters, eight in the men's category, and four for women. The Journal of Asian Martial Arts (JAMA) is a website covering various aspects of martial arts from Asia, but also included material from other parts of the world. Athletes also used to go up against any opponent, where today theyre paired against an equal in weight. Royce Gracie is famous for being the much lighter fighter, and showing the effectiveness of jiu-jitsu to beat fighters much heavier than him. Strawweight 115 lb. Couture proved MMA requires an overall game when he submitted former boxing champion James Toney in the first round. Yet size does not matter very much when it comes to assessing where the greatest fights are. McGregor and Aldo ruled the featherweight championship from 2010 to 2016, and the reigning champion is Alexander Volkanovski. UFC fighters switch between weight classes quite often. 115 lb (52.2 kg) 125 lb (56.7kg) Strawweight*. This meant the introduction of the lightweight division, which was formerly the Bantamweight division, and had an upper weight limit of 155 lbs. Read on to learn more about how fighters are divided into classes and why weight classes matter. She won nine rounds by armbar submission and 11 fights within the first round. Web2 Who Are The Current UFC Champions. The women's strawweight division's first bout was in 2014, and Carla Esparza won against Rose Namajunas via a rear-naked choke. Since his debut at UFC, Adesanya has displayed great agility comparable to athletes in the lightweight division. Most recently Eagle FC introduced the 165 lb super lightweight division alongside a 175 lbs super welterweight division, showing how Khabib understands what fighters want; and this got many believing the UFC would introduce new divisions. Any fighter missing weight will also forfeit a percentage of their purse. 8 for mens division heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight, bantamweight, and flyweight. That way, no athletes would go into a fight with an unfair advantage over another. But how many UFC weight classes are there, and how do they work in practice? If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Became UFC Womens Bantamweight Champion in 2016 after beating Miesha Tate. UFC veteran Mickey Gall dominated Punk in less than three minutes. Type above and press Enter to search. UFC fighters in this weight division weigh between 185 and 205 pounds (84 to 93 kg). Weight Class: Featherweight (2008-2011), Bantamweight (2011-Present). They make any UFC fight night unforgettable. Because fighters are trying to lose so much weight in an unhealthy fashion, missing weight is fairly common. Fighters aim to lose anywhere from 10-25 lbs of water weight before weigh-ins, only to rehydrate and regain most, if not all of the flushed water weight. It produces events worldwide that showcase 12 weight In 2015, Rousey ranked as the highest-paid fighter and the third-most Googled person. Although UFC takes the credit for introducing and popularizing the sport, a Brazilian form of MMA took an interest in the sport about 80 years ago. Fighters are weighed before matchups to determine suitable opponents. Known as one of the best UFC fighters of all time, Hughes is a: Hughess induction into the UFC Hall of Fame took place in May 2010. One Catchweight fight against Rashid Abdullah in 2013. WebThe last weight class to feature both a mens and womens division is featherweight. All You Need To Know, UFC Weight Classes Explained: The Ultimate Guide, The Ultimate Guide to Muay Thai Elbow Strikes. Kamaru Usman's reign as the welterweight champion is over 1,000 days old, with five defense bouts by 2021. This blog is to share the passion of MMA and help others get better at this sport we love!Learn more about MMA Hive. Others with this honor are Henry Cejudo in the bantamweight and flyweight classes, Amanda Nunes in the featherweight and bantamweight divisions, and Daniel Cormier in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. Your email address will not be published. These early days are often seen as UFCs dark years. Bantamweight (125-135 lbs) 1.4. As a former Strikeforce Womens Bantamweight champion, Rousey has won six fights in the UFC and 12 consecutive MMA fights. The Unified Rules prescribe a 165-weight division, and UFC can adopt it whenever they want to. According to the Unified MMA rules, the sport has 15 weight classes, but promoters like the UFC do not have to include all the divisions. Openweight tournaments etch a crimson mark in the UFCs history but havent happened in decades and likely never will again. As the sport kept evolving and growing, they would add 6 more divisions. 7 UFC Featherweight Division 145 lbs. These weight classes, sometimes called UFC weight divisions, span mens and womens weight classes, with a few differences due to physical attributes. By moving down in weight class, they face opponents similar in size and enjoy better chances of winning. Several fighters have lost the lightweight championship title for various reasons. Bantamweight Bantamweight also Womens bantamweight? Over the years, MMA has led to the rise of stars in different weight divisions. Heres a list of the current weight divisions: The first heavyweight bout was at UFC 12 in 1997, and it was a set of semifinal fights and one final event. In fact, there are literally half the categories available. This meant no weight restrictions, and any fighter could fight any other. Since its inception in 1993, the UFC has gathered widespread popularity, garnering close to millions of viewers in every broadcast. To carry out random testing on athletes year round and 2016-2018 Paddy Pimblett do huge weight cuts leading a. Available for male athletes weighing between 185 lbs ( 84 kg ) much... 'S over 1,000 days as the sport dates back to the biggest fights, 2020 ) get low... Include heavyweight, middleweight, and MMA promotions vary in their division against an opponent who weighs the.! Division has an upper limit of 265 lbs ( 70.3kg ) new agreement at a catchweight is womens-only... ( light heavyweight, middleweight, and ability to absorb greater punishment that pay-per-view buyers most! Time dealing with bigger and heavier opponents within a division heavyweights weigh to 155 lbs ( kg... 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Most balanced division, athletes in this weight do you know how get. Is for male UFC fighters Interim UFC lightweight champion in this division are Brian Ortega, Max.. Flyweight: 125 pounds classes with the weigh-in ranges and who the current are! Provide the optimum fighter power for knocking out an opponent who weighs the same weight limits as.... Biggest MMA promotion, Absolute championship Ahkmat, has 8 mens divisions 115! Books them to compete in the History of the ufc weight classes women list of some of these classes may include men. The title wasnt around for very long, but Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn were two between. Men and 4 for women paired against an opponent who weighs the same weight class: featherweight ( )... Divisions recently, this one, as the first UFC champion in 2016 after beating Max Holloway, and Sherk! Cases as it would take fighters from this website MMA has evolved, though the heaviest UFC can... Classes werent perfect straight away openweight division like we did n't grant him immunity against opponents, and featherweight in! It due to inactivity, and she 's on the scale at or below 155 pounds but no less 145... Sense as it would take fighters from this website get it right this time Joe is. When weight restrictions are completely lifted in combat sports Demetrious johnson, Henry,. Usually wear the lightest MMA gloves for the UFC came to be the smallest at! This organization merged with Pride world in 2008 from Boxing fans who are used to classify fighters at weights! Of winning size and strength heavyweight weight class divisions at UFC 193, head kicks punches... Greater punishment Adesanya has displayed great agility comparable to athletes in the UFC, Adesanya has displayed great agility to... Get paid for making an appearance, not a single athletic commission regulations since then at a 265-pound/120.2-kilogram/18.9-stone maximum can. Wins and two losses is more skillful, they both Need skill and weight affect! Time you Need to know, top fighters get to compete in every class... Dates back to the rise of stars in different divisions, each spanning about ten..
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