Understanding UFC Weight Classes

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is split up into eight different weight classes for the men, meanwhile there are only four weight divisions for the women.

In this piece we will breakdown each weight class in MMA as well as providing some of the best fighters to compete in these divisions. But before we get started it's worth noting that every fighter in the UFC can be 1 lb over their weight limit providing it is not a championship bout.

Sometimes, fighters agree to fight at a specific weight that doesn't correspond to an official division, this is known as a catchweight bout.

In order to make their correct weight, fighters often lose significant weight before weigh-ins, a practice known as cutting weight. This usually entails heavy cardio based workouts and then shortly after they hop into a sauna. Sometimes the fighters may also wear sweatsuits to lose excess water.

Flyweight Division – 125 lbs
 

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The men's flyweight division is the smallest weight class on the male roster. Fighters have to weigh in 125 lbs or under if they compete in this category.

Demetrius Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest flyweight to ever compete in MMA but there's been some other special fighters as well. Henry Cejudo, Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo have also stamped their mark on the UFC flyweight division.

Bantamweight Division – 135 lbs

The men's bantamweight division is the second smallest weight class. You will often find that flyweight fighters will jump up to the bantamweight division at some point throughout their career as they outgrow the 125 lbs division.  

Many pundits and fans say that Dominick Cruz is the best bantamweight of all time. TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo are two more fighters that have proved their skill in this weight class but they fall short of Cruz's outrageous achievements.

Featherweight Division – 145 lbs

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The 145 lbs division, otherwise known as MMA's featherweight category is often stacked with talent, this is because it is one of the most common weight classes to be in. The same can be said for lightweight.

Jose Aldo is unquestionably known as the best UFC featherweight to ever do it, having reigned supreme for five years between 2010 and 2015. Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski have also been at the top of the division for a number of years.
 

Lightweight Division – 155 lbs

As mentioned above, the lightweight rankings are always full of exciting elite fighters due to how common this weight is.

Lightweight is more difficult to say who the best of all time is due to the competitiveness of the division, however, most would probably say Khabib Nurmagomedov wears that crown given he retired 29-0.
 

Welterweight Division – 170 lbs

The welterweight division is where things start to get interesting because there is a 15 lbs difference between the weight below as well as the weight above.

There is not much debate surrounding the best fighter in UFC welterweight history - Georges St-Pierre not only is the best welterweight ever but he is thought to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time by many.

Middleweight Division – 185 lbs

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At middleweight you usually start to see some monstrous looking fighters. There's been occasions where fighters have come down from heavyweight to fight here and they still carry that heavy power, Jared Cannonier is an example of that.

Anderson Silva is regarded as the greatest middleweight in the history of the sport. But younger blood Israel Adesanya is definitely trying his best in giving him a run for his money.
 

Light-Heavyweight Division – 205 lbs 

Jumping from middleweight to the light-heavyweight division is an extremely difficult task to achieve, even for the elite MMA fighters. Just ask Israel Adesanya how he fared in his 205 lbs matchup against Jan Blachowicz.

The best light-heavyweight fighter ever is Jon Jones and if you were to ask most MMA fans they would probably say he is also the greatest MMA fighter of all time. 
 

Heavyweight Division – 265 lbs 

The heavyweight division is the heaviest division in the UFC, and although historically it is the least skilled weight class there has been tons of thrilling bouts over the years due to the huge power on display.

Stipe Miocic is the greatest heavyweight in UFC history, but almost everyone is in full agreement that Fedor Emelianenko is the best heavyweight in MMA history.

Women's Strawweight Division – 115 lbs

The women's strawweight division is the smallest division in the UFC, and it's no surprise that these bouts often end up going the distance due to the lack of power on display. Unless of course a submission can be locked in.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk is widely regarded as the best to ever do it in the women's strawweight division.

Women's Flyweight Division – 125 lbs

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The UFC's women's flyweight division has had some really good top calibre fighters in recent years - mainly being topped by Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso.

Shevchenko is known as the best women's flyweight fighter of all time having successfully defended her belt seven times, but that all changed when Grasso defeated her last year.

Women's Bantamweight Division – 135 lbs

The female bantamweight division has produced some special fighters throughout its history despite being one of the least common weight divisions on the UFC roster.

Amanda Nunes is highly regarded as the greatest to ever do it in the women's bantamweight division. Ronda Rousey is another name synonymous to the Mixed Martial Arts community.