MMA Weight Classes UFC: Divisions, Champions, and More

If you love watching the Saturday night fights, you would have already heard about Tagir Ulanbekov’s fight being cancelled. The reason? He came up on the wrong side of the weighing scale. The flyweight measured 129.5 pounds – 3.5 pounds over the limit.

That happens occasionally because the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) takes the weight categories seriously. The MMA weight classes for UFC are set to give fighters a fair competition. The fighters competing in the UFC have to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen to stay within their weight category. (Case in point – Conor McGregor and his intense workout routine!)

So, what are these categories, and who are the current champions in each of these? Let’s find out.

The Evolution of UFC Weight Classes

The early days of UFC were kind of a free-for-all. There were no specific weight requirements, and players were allowed to use any techniques (except for biting, eye gouging, and groin striking – ouch!).

This often led to mismatched fights that sometimes even put the player’s safety at risk. The UFC history is full of serious injuries because of this. However, as mixed martial arts became more popular, the UFC introduced weight classes to for a safer competition.

While it started with only the basic categories, today it has evolved into eight UFC weight divisions for men and four for women.

Each class, from heavyweight to flyweight, caters to a specific range of fighter weights. This also means fights differ slightly in each category. For example, you will see more body slams in the higher weight categories. The lower UFC weight divisions tend to focus on agility and technique. 

This evolution has also helped accommodate the increasing number of MMA athletes.

Current Weight Classes in the UFC

Before every UFC fight, fighters must participate in official weigh-ins the day before. These weigh-ins typically take place between 9 AM and 11 AM local time.

If an athlete fails to meet the requirements, they may be granted some time to try and shed the remaining pounds before attempting to weigh in again.

If it’s a non-title bout fight, players are allowed to weigh one pound over the weight limit. However, there’s no such grace allowed in title fights. Athletes must weigh in at or under the specified weight for their category. 

Here are the different weight categories for men and women.

UFC Weight Categories for Men

UFC Weight Categories for Women

Heavyweight – 265 pounds

Current Champion: Jon Jones

This is the ultimate weight class and is renowned for housing some of the most formidable names. The current champion is Jon Jones, who transitioned from the light heavyweight division and secured his title by defeating Ciryl Gane. Currently, he is out of action because of a tendon tear near his shoulder, and Tom Aspinall holds the interim title.

With due respect though, it was Jones’ very first fight in the heavyweight category, so it would be amiss to call him one of the best heavyweights in MMA history. This weight class has been graced by legendary athletes like Randy Couture, Stipe Miocic, Brock Lesnar, and Cain Velasquez, who are exceptionally skilled. 

The most awaited fight in this category is between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, which is rumored to take place in November 2024.

Light Heavyweight – 205 pounds

Current Champion: Alex Pereira

The UFC light heavyweight division has been the stage for some of the most unforgettable clashes in UFC history. The most thrilling one was the UFC 275, where Jiří Procházka defeated Glover Teixeira by submission. The frenetic fight saw both fighters appearing to seize control only for the other to quickly counter.  After five rounds, Procházka maneuvered a rear-naked choke, leaving Teixeira no choice but to tap.

Alex Pereira claimed the championship belt by securing a second-round knockout victory over Jiří Procházka at UFC 295. He successfully defended his title against former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.

Other notable fighters in this category are Jon Jones (moved to heavyweight), Chuck Liddell, and Tito Ortiz.

Middleweight – 185 pounds

Current Champion: Dricus Du Plessis

The UFC middleweight division featured some of the most talented and versatile fighters. This includes notable names like Anderson Silva, Chris Weidman, and Michael Bisping. 

This title was held for the longest time by Anderson Silva, a talented wrestler. He has won several fights via submission, as well as TKO. Dricus Du Plessis is the current titleholder after securing a Split Decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297.

For non-title bouts, middleweight fighters are allowed to weigh in up to 186 pounds, whereas in title fights, athletes must weigh in at or under 185 pounds.

Welterweight – 170 pounds

Current Champion: Leon Edwards

This is one of the most fiercely competitive and talent-laden divisions in the UFC. The welterweight division also has a 15-pound leap between MMA weight classes for UFC (155–170 lb).

In 2022, Leon Edwards shocked former welterweight champion and former pound-for-pound No. 1 Kamaru Usman with a fifth-round knockout in the main event of UFC 278. Edwards then went on to successfully defend his title for the second time at UFC 296, following a tough five-round battle in the Octagon against Colby Covington.

Lightweight – 155 pounds

Current Champion: Islam Makhachev

The UFC lightweight division has consistently provided thrilling and high-stakes battles, showcasing prominent athletes such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, and BJ Penn.

At UFC 280, Islam Makhachev, the current UFC lightweight division champion, emerged victorious over Charles Oliveira in the title fight. The title was vacant for some time as former champion Oliveira missed weight by half a pound (155.5) before his championship fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Makhachev has since defended his title twice, defeating Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 and UFC 294.

Featherweight – 145 pounds

Men’s Champion: Ilia Topuria

Women’s Champion: Vacant

The featherweight division in the UFC is popular for its fast-paced action and technical prowess. It’s also where Conor McGregor’s reign began before he moved up in weight class. In the featherweight title bout at UFC 298, Ilia Topuria defeated Alexander Volkanovski, who had previously defended his title successfully five times. 

In the women’s category, this title is currently vacant. The now-retired Amanda Nunes is the most recent champion on the women’s side in this weight class.

In non-title bouts, featherweight competitors are allowed to weigh up to 146 pounds, whereas in title fights, athletes must weigh in at or below 145 pounds.

Bantamweight – 135 pounds

Men’s Champion: Sean O’Malley 

Women’s Champion: Raquel Pennington

One of the trailblazers in women’s MMA, Ronda Rousey, solidified her legacy in the bantamweight division by achieving six victorious title defenses as the division’s inaugural champion. The current champion is Raquel Pennington, who defeated Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 in a thrilling fight.

In the men’s category, Sean O’Malley is the current champion. He claimed the title with a second-round technical knockout at the start of the round against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292.

Flyweight – 125 pounds

Men’s Champion: Alexandre Pantoja

Women’s Champion: Alexa Grasso

The flyweight division is the first of three weight classes to host both a men’s and women’s division. In 2023, new champions emerged in these divisions. 

On the women’s side, Valentina Shevchenko reigned in this category for 1,547 days until Alexa Grasso surprised fans with a shocking submission victory in 2023. Grasso claimed the women’s belt at UFC 285 in March. 

On the other hand, Alexandre Pantoja secured the men’s title at UFC 290 in July 2023. Pantoja defended his flyweight title successfully with unanimous decision victories over Brandon Royval at UFC 296 and Steve Erceg at UFC 301.

For non-title bouts, flyweight athletes have the flexibility to weigh in up to 126 pounds, while in title fights, athletes must weigh in at or under 125 pounds.

Strawweight – 115 pounds

Current Champion: Zhang Weili

The strawweight division is the lightest division in the UFC and is among the four women’s weight classes. Zhang Weili is the current champion after she won against Yan Xiaonan by a unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) earlier this year.

For non-title bouts, strawweight athletes are allowed a one-pound leeway on the scale, allowing them to weigh up to 116 pounds. In title bouts, athletes must weigh in at or under 115 pounds. There is no lower weight limit for this category.

The Future of UFC Weight Classes

There have been several discussions going on to adjust the weight classes in the UFC. For example, bringing a cruiserweight division can give fighters more options without resorting to extreme weight cutting.

While the idea of a 225-pound cruiserweight division could bridge the gap between light heavyweight and heavyweight, the introduction of a 165-pound division has also been a topic of interest among fighters seeking a middle ground between lightweight and welterweight divisions.

On the women’s side, there’s a debate to bring in higher weight classes. Currently, the upper limit for women is 145 lbs, while for men it is 265 lbs. This means women have to follow a strict diet and exercise before each match so they remain eligible. The kicker is that most of these athletes are unable to maintain the weight between fights.

The addition of new UFC weight classes could pose some issues as well. First, it could dilute the talent pool, making it harder for fighters to gain recognition and secure high-profile matchups. 

Additionally, managing multiple champions across various weight classes could become a logistical nightmare for the UFC, which has to ensure each division receives adequate attention and promotion.