{"id":12601,"date":"2024-06-19T11:42:55","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T08:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=12601"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:43:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T08:43:43","slug":"mma-weight-classes-ufc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/mma-weight-classes-ufc\/","title":{"rendered":"MMA Weight Classes UFC: Divisions, Champions, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you love watching the Saturday night fights, you would have already heard about Tagir Ulanbekov<\/a>\u2019s fight being cancelled. The reason? He came up on the wrong side of the weighing scale. The flyweight measured 129.5 pounds \u2013 3.5 pounds over the limit.<\/p>\n

That happens occasionally because the UFC (<\/span>Ultimate Fighting Championship<\/b>) takes the weight categories seriously. The <\/span>MMA weight classes for UFC <\/b>are set to give fighters a fair competition. The <\/span>fighters competing <\/b>in the UFC have to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen to stay within their weight category. (Case in point \u2013 <\/span>Conor McGregor<\/b><\/a> and his intense <\/span>workout routine<\/span><\/a>!)<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what are these categories, and who are the current champions in each of these? Let\u2019s find out.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Evolution of UFC Weight Classes<\/h3>\n

The early days of UFC were kind of a free-for-all. There were no <\/span>specific weight <\/b>requirements, and players were allowed to use any techniques (except for biting, eye gouging, and groin striking \u2013 ouch!).<\/span><\/p>\n

This often led to mismatched fights that sometimes even put the player\u2019s safety at risk. The <\/span>UFC history <\/b>is full of serious injuries because of this. However, as <\/span>mixed martial arts <\/b>became more popular, the UFC introduced weight classes to for a safer competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

While it started with only the basic categories, today it has evolved into eight <\/span>UFC weight divisions <\/b>for men and four for women.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>UFC weight divisions <\/b>tend to focus on agility and technique.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This evolution has also helped accommodate the increasing number of MMA athletes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Current Weight Classes in the UFC<\/h3>\n

Before every <\/span>UFC fight<\/b>, fighters must participate in official weigh-ins the day before. These weigh-ins typically take place between 9 AM and 11 AM local time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s a non-title bout fight, players are allowed to weigh one pound over the <\/span>weight limit. <\/b>However, there\u2019s no such grace allowed in <\/span>title fights.<\/b> Athletes must weigh in at or under the specified weight for their category.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the different weight categories for men and women.<\/span><\/p>\n

UFC Weight Categories for Men<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
UFC Weight Class<\/b><\/td>\nMinimum Weight (in Lbs)<\/b><\/td>\nMaximum Weight (in Lbs)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flyweight<\/span><\/td>\n115<\/span><\/td>\n125<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bantamweight\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n125<\/span><\/td>\n135<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Featherweight<\/span><\/td>\n135<\/span><\/td>\n145<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lightweight<\/span><\/td>\n145<\/span><\/td>\n155<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Welterweight<\/span><\/td>\n155<\/span><\/td>\n170<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Middleweight<\/span><\/td>\n170<\/span><\/td>\n185<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Light Heavyweight<\/span><\/td>\n185<\/span><\/td>\n205<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heavyweight<\/span><\/td>\n205<\/span><\/td>\n265<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

UFC Weight Categories for Women<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
UFC Weight Class<\/b><\/td>\nMinimum Weight (in Lbs)<\/b><\/td>\nMaximum Weight (in Lbs)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Strawweight<\/span><\/td>\nNone<\/span><\/td>\n115<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flyweight<\/span><\/td>\n115<\/span><\/td>\n125<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bantamweight<\/span><\/td>\n125<\/span><\/td>\n135<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Featherweight<\/span><\/td>\n135<\/span><\/td>\n145<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Heavyweight \u2013 265 pounds<\/h3>\n

Current Champion: Jon Jones<\/b><\/p>\n