The weight class in MMA can vary between countries and regulating bodies, as can be seen below.
Nearly all the organizations use different weight classes in Mixed martial arts events, which causes confusion between them. Although the weights classes have similar names to boxing, they are infact very different.
Organizations will often adopt their own rules for weight limits, causing ambiguity in the sport regarding how a weight class should be defined. For a variety of reasons (largely historical), weight classes of the same name can be of vastly different weights. For example, a boxing Middleweight weighs up to 160 pounds, a UFC Middleweight is 185, and a Pride middleweight was 205.
USA MMA Weight classes
Weight classes under the Unified Rules
The Nevada State Athletic Commission has designated limits for nine different weight classes in mixed martial arts. Fighters must be weighed in lb:
Weight class name Upper limit
Flyweight 125 lb / 57 kg
Bantamweight 135 lb / 61 kg
Fe
atherweight 145 lb / 66 kg
Lightweight 155 lb / 70 kg
Welterweight 170 lb / 77 kg
Middleweight 185 lb / 84 kg
Light Heavyweight 205 lb / 93 kg
Heavyweight 265 lb / 120 kg
Super Heavyweight No upper weight limit
Other weight classes in MMA, around the world
Weight classes in Japan
With no state or government laws regarding weight class restrictions, Japanese organizations are free to schedule bouts with little regard for weight differential. However, due to the increasingly competitive nature of the sport, weight is often seen as an unfair advantage over a smaller competitor; therefore, weight limits have been set by the promotions themselves. These limits differ from organization to organization. Japan uses the metric system.
Dream
Dream's weight categories go by similar guidelines as the Unified Rules, differing only by a few pounds.
Weight class name Upper limit
Featherweight 62 kg/ 138 lb
Lightweight 70 kg/ 155 lb
Welterweight 76 kg/ 168 lb
Middleweight 84 kg/ 185 lb
Light Heavyweight 93 kg/ 205 lb
Heavyweight No weight limit
Pride Fighting Championships
Pride arranged one weight category for every ten kilograms, starting at 73 kg (161 lb[7]) and ending at 93 kg (205 lb).
Weight class name Upper limit in kg Equivalent in lb
Lightweight 73 kg 161 lb
Welterweight 83 kg 183 lb
Middleweight 93 kg 205 lb
Heavyweight No weight limit
Shooto
Weight class name Upper limit
Strawweight 52 kg/ 114 lb
Bantamweight 56 kg/ 123 lb
Featherweight 60 kg/ 132 lb
Lightweight 65 kg/ 143 lb
Welterweight 70 kg/ 154 lb
Middleweight 76 kg/ 167 lb
Light Heavyweight 83 kg/ 183 lb
Cruiserweight 91 kg/ 200 lb
Heavyweight 100 kg/ 220 lb
Super Heavyweight Above 100 kg Above 220 lb
K-1 Hero's
K-1 Hero's established weight classes around the time of their first mixed martial arts tournament.
Weight class name Upper limit
Middleweight 70 kg/ 154 lb
Light Heavyweight 85 kg/ 187 lb
World Victory Road
As of January 31, 2008 World Victory Road's Sengoku changed their Weight Classes to the ones listed here, which are very similar to those of shooto.
Weight class name Upper limit
Bantamweight 60 kg/ 132 lb
Featherweight 65 kg/ 143 lb
Lightweight 70 kg/ 154 lb
Welterweight 76 kg/ 167 lb
Middleweight 83 kg/ 183 lb
Light Heavyweight 93 kg/ 205 lb
Heavyweight Above 93/ kg Above 205 lb
Weight classes in the United Kingdom
There is currently no Board of Control governing MMA in the UK and promotions can set weight classes as they see fit.
Cage Rage
Cage Rage weighs fighters using the metric system.
Weight classes are in line with the Unified Rules of MMA.
Weight class name Upper limit
Featherweight 66 kg/ 145 lb
Lightweight 70 kg/ 155 lb
Welterweight 77 kg/ 170 lb
Middleweight 84 kg/ 185 lb
Light Heavyweight 93 kg/ 205 lb
Heavyweight No weight limit
The above information is based on 2010 knowledge of weight classes in MMA.