MMA Weight Classes: Every Division From Strawweight to Heavyweight

Mixed martial arts uses weight classes so that fighters face opponents of similar size. Most major promotions follow the divisions of the Unified Rules of MMA, though not every promotion uses every division.

Standard divisions

Division	Upper weight limit
Strawweight (women)	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 lb (70.3 kg)
Welterweight	170 lb (77.1 kg)
Middleweight	185 lb (83.9 kg)
Light heavyweight	205 lb (93 kg)
Heavyweight	265 lb (120.2 kg)

The Unified Rules also define lighter divisions and a super heavyweight class, which are rarely used by major promotions.

UFC divisions

• Men: flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.
• Women: strawweight, flyweight and bantamweight, with featherweight used more rarely over the years.

Weigh-ins and weight cutting

Fighters must make weight at an official weigh-in, usually the day before the fight. Title fights require hitting the limit exactly; non-title fights usually allow one extra pound. Many fighters "cut" weight through dehydration before the weigh-in and rehydrate afterward, a practice criticized for health risks.

Catchweight fights

A catchweight bout is agreed at a weight outside a standard division, often when a fighter misses weight or on short notice.

More combat sports rules: boxing rules and chess boxing.