The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an MMA promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. With nearly 600 events scheduled for 2022, the UFC is now the world’s largest MMA promotion company.
The UFC has nine weight divisions ranging from strawweight to heavyweight, with men competing in eight and women competing in four.
| 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 |
Since 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has featured the best MMA fighters worldwide. Indeed, Dana White has led it to become a multibillion-dollar corporation since 2011. Continue reading to learn more about UFC’s various mixed martial arts weight classes. Stay tuned!
What Are the Different Weight Classes in UFC?
The UFC divides its competitors into weight classes. The primary purpose of weight divisions is to level the competition because opponents are the same weight.
UFC Weight Classes in Order
- Strawweight
- Flyweight
- Bantamweight
- Featherweight
- Lightweight
- Welterweight
- Middleweight
- Light heavyweight
- Heavyweight
UFC Weight Classes in Pounds
| UFC Weight Class | Upper Weight limit in pounds |
| Strawweight | 115 lbs |
| Flyweight | 125 lbs |
| Bantamweight | 135 lbs |
| Featherweight | 145 lbs |
| Lightweight | 155 lbs |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lbs |
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs |
UFC Weight Classes in Kg
| UFC Weight Class | Upper Weight limit in kilograms |
| Strawweight | 52.2 kg |
| Flyweight | 56.7 kg |
| Bantamweight | 61.2 kg |
| Featherweight | 65.8 kg |
| Lightweight | 70.3 kg |
| Welterweight | 77.1 kg |
| Middleweight | 83.9 kg |
| Light heavyweight | 93.0 kg |
| Heavyweight | 120.2 kg |
Male UFC Weight Classes
Male MMA fighters have eight weight categories in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
| 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 Classes
Female MMA fighters have four weight divisions in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
| 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 |
When Did UFC Used Weight Classes?
The Ultimate Fighting Championship first introduced the weight classes in 1997 during the UFC 12 event in Dothan, Alabama.
There were only two divisions: Lightweight (under 200 pounds) and Heavyweight (above 200 pounds).
Although this was not an ideal solution to level up mixed martial arts competitions. But, it served as a springboard for the significant changes that would occur only a few years later.
In 2000, the UFC began working with Athletic Commissions across the United States to regulate the sport. The New Jersey State Athletic Commission was the first to propose a solution and set of rules known as the “Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.“
The introduction of the 15 unified MMA weight classes was the most significant of many rules and changes. Following these rules, an MMA promotion can include only 15 weight divisions at maximum.
As a result, the UFC now has nine weight divisions, with men competing in eight and women competing in four. They can, however, add more divisions whenever they want if it helps their tournaments.
Conclusion
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a prominent mixed martial arts event company with millions of fans. It hosts tournaments mainly in the United States of America and restricts athletes to specified weight classes to ensure high-quality fights.
Weight divisions are set up to guarantee that all competitors enjoy a fair battle, as a heavier fighter may have pushed ahead of a lighter one. So, competitors must have equal weights when facing each other to avoid a clear edge for one over the other and reduce the risk of severe injuries.
We hope this article has helped you comprehend various weight classes in UFC.
Recommended article: MMA Weight Classes (A Closer Look)
Related Questions
How Many Weight Classes Are in the UFC?
The UFC uses nine weight divisions ranging from strawweight to heavyweight:
- Strawweight (115 lbs)
- Flyweight (125 lbs)
- Bantamweight (135 lbs)
- Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Lightweight (155 lbs)
- Welterweight (170 lbs)
- Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Light heavyweight (205 lbs)
- Heavyweight (265 lbs)
Men UFC fighters compete in eight weight categories: Flyweight, Bantamweight, Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight, Light heavyweight, and Heavyweight
Whereas women UFC fighters compete in four weight categories. Strawweight, Flyweight, Bantamweight, and Featherweight.
Is There a UFC Open Weight Class?
An open weight class has no upper or lower weight limits, so fighters of all sizes can compete.
Before the introduction of weight classes in 1997, UFC events were open-weight competitions. However, the Ultimate Fighting Championship no longer uses an open-weight division.
Open weight classes are restricted in mixed martial arts because weight dissimilarities prevent fair competition and put fighters in grave danger.
