MMA, or Mixed Martial Arts, is a combat sport that has grown in popularity in recent years. The weight class system is one of the primary features that distinguishes MMA from other combat sports. Here are the Unified MMA Weight Classes:
| MMA weight class | Upper weight limit in pounds | Upper weight limit in kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Strawweight | 115 lbs | 52.2 kg |
| Flyweight | 125 lbs | 56.7 kg |
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs | 61.2 kg |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | 65.8 kg |
| Lightweight | 155 lbs | 70.3 kg |
| Super lightweight | 165 lbs | 74.8 kg |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs | 77.1 kg |
| Super welterweight | 175 lbs | 79.4 kg |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs | 83.9 kg |
| Super middleweight | 195 lbs | 88.5 kg |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lbs | 93.0 kg |
| Cruiserweight | 225 lbs | 102.1 kg |
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs | 120.2 kg |
| Super heavyweight | Open weight | Open weight |
UFC, Bellator, and other organizations use different MMA Weight classes to classify their contenders. Continue reading to learn more about the various mixed martial arts weight divisions. Keep your eyes peeled!
The Unified Mixed Martial Arts Rules and the Evolution of Weight Classes
Weight classes were not mandatory prior to get formal clearance from sports commissions since events were held without their supervision.
For example, during UFC 12, the Ultimate Fighting Championship originally offered two weight divisions:
- Heavyweight: Included players weighing more than 200 pounds (91 kg).
- Lightweight: Included contestants weighing less than 200 pounds.
Weight classes saw various changes throughout the years; nonetheless, the liberty of promoters to select their own weight divisions progressively faded as athletic commissions started to monitor mixed martial arts.
The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were defined by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission in the year 2000.
The California State Athletic Commission made important contributions to the rules but experienced challenges in implementing MMA sanctioning owing to state government concerns.
On December 28, 2005, California officially sanctioned MMA, adopting the rulebook it had helped develop five years earlier.
To ensure uniformity, all state commissions in the United States responsible for regulating mixed martial arts included these guidelines in their existing laws and legislation for unarmed combat tournaments.
Indeed, to stage mixed martial arts events in a state-sanctioned venue, a promotion must follow the weight restriction requirements specified by the state athletic commission.
The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts provide weight limits for fourteen different weight classes, with all measurements and terminology in pounds. The strawweight class debuted in 2015.
In July 2017, the super lightweight, super welterweight, super middleweight, and cruiserweight weight classes were introduced.
| MMA weight class | Upper weight limit in pounds | Upper weight limit in kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Strawweight | 115 lbs | 52.2 kg |
| Flyweight | 125 lbs | 56.7 kg |
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs | 61.2 kg |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | 65.8 kg |
| Lightweight | 155 lbs | 70.3 kg |
| Super lightweight | 165 lbs | 74.8 kg |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs | 77.1 kg |
| Super welterweight | 175 lbs | 79.4 kg |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs | 83.9 kg |
| Super middleweight | 195 lbs | 88.5 kg |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lbs | 93.0 kg |
| Cruiserweight | 225 lbs | 102.1 kg |
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs | 120.2 kg |
| Super heavyweight | Open weight | Open weight |
Related: Are you fascinated by MMA fighters’ incredible weight cuts? This article goes into the field of MMA weight-cutting to reveal the tactics used by professional competitors.
MMA UFC Weight Classes
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a mixed martial arts promotion firm located in Las Vegas, Nevada. It features the world’s greatest mixed martial artists.
Businessman Art Davie and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Rorion Gracie formed the UFC. And the first UFC event was hosted in the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado, in 1993.
The UFC is now the world’s largest MMA promotion business, with nearly 600 events as of 2022. It has developed into a multibillion-dollar corporation under Dana White White’s leadership since 2011.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has 12 weight divisions, eight weight classes for men, and four for women.
| UFC Weight Class | Upper Weight limit in pounds | Upper Weight limit in kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Strawweight | 115 lbs | 52.2 kg |
| Flyweight | 125 lbs | 56.7 kg |
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs | 61.2 kg |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | 65.8 kg |
| Lightweight | 155 lbs | 70.3 kg |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs | 77.1 kg |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs | 83.9 kg |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lbs | 93.0 kg |
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs | 120.2 kg |
Male UFC Weight Divisions
Male UFC fighters can compete in eight weight classes, ranging from 125 lbs to 265 lbs.
| UFC Weight Class | Upper Weight limit in pounds | Upper Weight limit in kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Flyweight | 125 lbs | 56.7 kg |
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs | 61.2 kg |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | 65.8 kg |
| Lightweight | 155 lbs | 70.3 kg |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs | 77.1 kg |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs | 83.9 kg |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lbs | 93.0 kg |
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs | 120.2 kg |
Female UFC Weight Divisions
Female UFC fighters can compete in four weight classes, ranging from 115 lbs to 145 lbs.
| UFC Weight Class | Upper Weight limit in pounds | Upper Weight limit in kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Strawweight | 115 lbs | 52.2 kg |
| Flyweight | 125 lbs | 56.7 kg |
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs | 61.2 kg |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | 65.8 kg |
Related article: What Are the Weight Classes in UFC?
MMA Bellator Weight Classes
Bellator is a well-known American MMA organization headquartered in Santa Monica, California. It was created in 2008 and is owned and operated as a subsidiary of the television and media business Paramount Global.
Since its inception in 2009, the American MMA organization has hosted over 200 mixed martial arts events.
The following table highlights Bellator MMA weight groups, as listed below:
| Bellator MMA weight class | Weight limit in pounds | Weight limit in kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Flyweight | 125 lbs | 56.7 kg |
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs | 61.2 kg |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | 65.8 kg |
| Lightweight | 155 lbs | 70.3 kg |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs | 77.1 kg |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs | 83.9 kg |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lbs | 93 kg |
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs | 120.2 kg |
Men Bellator MMA Weight Categories
Bellator has seven weight divisions for its male mixed martial artists, as cited below:
| Bellator MMA weight class | Weight limit in pounds | Weight limit in kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs | 61.2 kg |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | 65.8 kg |
| Lightweight | 155 lbs | 70.3 kg |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs | 77.1 kg |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs | 83.9 kg |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lbs | 93 kg |
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs | 120.2 kg |
Women Bellator MMA Weight Classes
Bellator has only two weight divisions for its female MMA fighters, as cited below:
| Bellator MMA weight class | Weight limit in pounds | Weight limit in kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Flyweight | 125 lbs | 56.7 kg |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | 65.8 kg |
Recommended: Bellator Weight Classes ( A Closer Look)
One Championship MMA Weight Classes
The ONE Championship is a popular Singaporean combat sports promotion founded on July 14, 2011. It has hosted over 100 events featuring MMA, submission grappling, kickboxing, and Muay Thai.
The following are ONE Championship weight classes for their MMA fighters (10 divisions).
| ONE Championship MMA weight class | Weight limit in kilograms | Weight limit in pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Atomweight | 47.7 to 52.2 kg | 105.1 to 115 lbs |
| Strawweight | 52.3 to 56.7 kg | 115.3 to 125 lbs |
| Flyweight | 56.8 to 61.2 kg | 125.2 to 135 lbs |
| Bantamweight | 61.3 to 65.8 kg | 153.1 to 145 lbs |
| Featherweight | 65.9 to 70.3 kg | 145.3 to 155 lbs |
| Lightweight: | 70.4 to 77.1 kg | 155.2 to 170 lbs |
| Welterweight: | 77.2 to 83.9 kg | 170.2 to 185 lbs |
| Middleweight | 84.0 to 93.0 kg | 185.2 to 205 lbs |
| Light heavyweight | 93.1 to 102.1 kg | 205.2 to 225 lbs |
| Heavyweight | 102.2 to 120.2 kg | 225.3 to 265 lbs |
Male MMA Fighters Weight Divisions
The ONE Championship has nine weight classes for its male MMA contestants.
| Male ONE Championship MMA weight class | Weight limit in kilograms | Weight limit in pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Strawweight | 52.3 to 56.7 kg | 115.3 to 125 lbs |
| Flyweight | 56.8 to 61.2 kg | 125.2 to 135 lbs |
| Bantamweight | 61.3 to 65.8 kg | 153.1 to 145 lbs |
| Featherweight | 65.9 to 70.3 kg | 145.3 to 155 lbs |
| Lightweight: | 70.4 to 77.1 kg | 155.2 to 170 lbs |
| Welterweight: | 77.2 to 83.9 kg | 170.2 to 185 lbs |
| Middleweight | 84.0 to 93.0 kg | 185.2 to 205 lbs |
| Light heavyweight | 93.1 to 102.1 kg | 205.2 to 225 lbs |
| Heavyweight | 102.2 to 120.2 kg | 225.3 to 265 lbs |
Female ONE MMA Fighters Weight Divisions
The ONE Championship has five weight classes for its male MMA contestants.
| Female ONE Championship MMA weight class | Weight limit in kilograms | Weight limit in pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Atomweight | 47.7 to 52.2 kg | 105.1 to 115 lbs |
| Strawweight | 52.3 to 56.7 kg | 115.3 to 125 lbs |
| Flyweight | 56.8 to 61.2 kg | 125.2 to 135 lbs |
| Bantamweight | 61.3 to 65.8 kg | 153.1 to 145 lbs |
| Featherweight | 65.9 to 70.3 kg | 145.3 to 155 lbs |
Recommended: One Championship Weight Classes ( A Closer Look)
Conclusion
Mixed martial arts are popular fighting sports with millions of followers. The UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship are MMA companies that hold events worldwide and limit their competitors to specific weight classes.
Weight categories are established to ensure that all participants have a fair fight, as a heavier fighter may have moved ahead of a lighter one. When fighting each other, MMA fighters must have identical weights to avoid a clear advantage for one over the other.
Let’s recap the various weight divisions in mixed martial arts:
| MMA weight division | Upper weight limit |
|---|---|
| Strawweight | 115 lbs (52.2 kg) |
| Flyweight | 125 lbs (56.7 kg) |
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs (61.2 kg) |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs (65.8 kg) |
| Lightweight | 155 lbs (70.3 kg) |
| Super lightweight | 165 lbs (74.8 kg) |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs (77.1 kg) |
| Super welterweight | 175 lbs (79.4 kg) |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs (83.9 kg) |
| Super middleweight | 195 lbs (88.5 kg) |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lbs (93.0 kg) |
| Cruiserweight | 225 lbs (102.1 kg) |
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs (120.2 kg) |
| Super heavyweight | No weight limit |
We hope this article has helped you understand various weight classes in MMA.
