Weight Classes in MMA: A Beginner’s Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on weight classes in MMA. As one of the most exhilarating and physically demanding combat sports in the world, MMA encompasses various weight divisions that ensure fair and competitive matchups. Understanding weight classes is crucial for fighters, fans, and anyone seeking to delve into the intricacies of this captivating sport. In this article, we will explore the significance of weight classes, the established divisions in major MMA promotions, and the impact they have on fighters’ careers. So, whether you’re a seasoned follower or a curious newcomer, join us as we unpack the fascinating world of weight classes in MMA.

What are the Weight Classes in MMA?

Weight classes in MMA separate combat competitors into weight categories so that only comparably sized athletes compete against each other. This ensures a fair fight, as a heavier person will certainly strike more forcefully, but can lead to ‘weight cutting’ where fighters will dehydrate or use non-banned substances to lose water weight immediately before weigh-in. To combat this, strict regulations are in place for Weight Classes in MMA to ensure that athletes reach their ideal weight safely. 

The UFC helped pave the road for MMA’s present status by establishing weight classes in 1997 when the sport was still not widely accepted by commissioners in its early years.

The UFC now offers 12 different weight divisions/classes, four for women’s MMA and the other eight for men. It’s common for fighters to be booked for an accurate weigh-in before participating in a commemorative weigh-in where they can pose for pictures with the world’s media before the crucial match.

The Weigh-in: Weight Classes in MMA

When it comes to the Weight Classes in MMA the final day of reckoning for MMA fighters is the weigh in. An official weight is taken the day before the fight, in the morning. This is thought to give a true reflection of ‘walking weight’ before the contestant has eaten anything and is close enough to the fight to eliminate drastic weight changes. This is the all-important weigh-in. If competitors don’t make weight, for their Weight Class between 9 am – 11 am local time they are disqualified and can’t compete.

There is also a second weigh-in, but this one is just for the fans. This is often called “The Ceremonial Weigh in”, During the ceremonial weigh-in, fighters are not actually being weighed. They step on the scale, pose for pictures, and their official weight recorded earlier is read out.

The complete list of weigh-in regulations can be seen, but there are minor variations across US states. Here are the Weight Classes in MMA information directly from the UFC.

Categories for Weight Classes in MMA

Weight Class	Upper Weight Limit	Male/Female
Strawweight	115 lbs	Female
Flyweight	125 lbs	Male + Female
Bantamweight	135 lbs	Male + Female
Featherweight	145 lbs	Male + Female
Lightweight	155 lbs	Male
Welterweight	170 lbs	Male
Middleweight	185 lbs	Male
Super Middleweight	195 lbs	Male
Light Heavyweight	205 lbs	Male
Cruiserweight	225 lbs	Male
heavyweight	265 lbs	Male
Super Heavyweight	No Limit	Male

So now you know the weight categories and their weight limit, but what does that actually mean for fighters? Fighters will train within their weight division, and on fight day they must weigh at or below the upper limit of their division. So a Middleweight fighter must weigh in before a fight at 185 lbs or lower.

For title fights that number is absolute. But for regular matches, there is a 1lb leeway, so a fighter weighing in at 186 lbs will still be able to fight.

Even if a fighter significantly misses the scale, they can still compete. However, only if their opponent agrees to go ahead with the fight and they must give their opponent 20% of the proceeds from that battle.

Cutting Weight

Weight Classes in MMA are extremely important and obviously, being at the top weight of your division can put you at a significant advantage. For example in the lightweight class, one fighter might be 155 lbs and their opponent 146 lbs. The heavier fighter has the advantage here. So Fighters aim to weigh in at the very top of their division, but weight being unpredictable it fluctuates considerably.

So some athletes take drastic measures to weigh in at the target weight at the official weigh-in. Fighters aim to lose weight on the scales, sometimes misrepresenting their true ‘walking weight’ to hit their limit. This is known as cutting weight. In the week(s) leading up to weigh in people undertake weight loss techniques to drop upwards of 30+ lbs.

How Do MMA Fighters Cut Weight?

To some degree all fighters do this, perhaps only needing to loos 5 lbs before weighing in, so they diet moderately for a week pre-weigh in, but others take dangerous measures to hit the weight limit. MMA athletes often lose 15 to 20 pounds on average.

The primary method fighters use to lose considerable weight so quickly is self-dehydration. Weight Classes in MMA can be dangerous because tall fighters will often cut significant weight to fight at a much lower weight class than they are naturally built for. Our body composition is 60% water; thus, reducing water intake will cause dehydration and this shows as weight loss on the scale. Fighters also avoid salt and carbohydrates often for several weeks to get the result they need.

The Fighters then have around 30 hours between weigh-in and the fight to rehydrate and fuel up, bringing their energy level back up.

So now you know everything about the weight classes and their justifications in MMA. Check out our Beginners Guide to MMA for more information.