UFC Weight Classes: Every Division, Limit and Rule

UFC weight classes run from 115 pounds in women’s strawweight to 265 pounds in heavyweight, with eight men’s divisions and three women’s divisions. Title fights use the exact limit, and non title fights get one extra pound. 

At Custom Championship Belt, we make MMA style belts, so we’ll walk through each division, the rules behind it and the mistakes fans make when they read the numbers.

What Are the UFC Weight Classes?

The UFC’s own explainer lists the limits below. We added kilograms from the Unified Rules table on Wikipedia, so treat the metric numbers as conversions.

Flyweight and bantamweight exist for both men and women. Featherweight through heavyweight are men’s divisions. You can see the official list in the UFC guide to weight classes and weigh ins. Next, let’s see why every class has two numbers.

Title Limits and Non Title Limits

The UFC says non title bouts allow a one pound allowance above the division’s limit, while title fights require the exact championship weight. That’s why a lightweight can step on the scale at 156 pounds and still make weight.

It also explains a famous case. Charles Oliveira was stripped of the lightweight title at UFC 274 after weighing 155.5 pounds. That number would have been fine in a non title fight, but not in a title fight. When you read about UFC weight classes, always ask which kind of fight it was.

Women’s Divisions in the UFC

AgentMMA lists three active women’s divisions: strawweight, flyweight and bantamweight. Strawweight is for women only, while the other two exist for men too. The same guide says women’s featherweight still shows up on older pages but isn’t a current ranked division.

If you’re researching women’s UFC weight classes, start with those three divisions, and then check the date on any list. A 2017 Complex guide still treats women’s featherweight as a division, so older pages can leave you with the wrong picture.

Why Doesn’t the UFC Have 165 or 175 Pound Divisions?

The Unified Rules, which state athletic commissions use for MMA, recognize more classes than the UFC books. Wikipedia’s table lists 165 and 175 pound classes, among others. AgentMMA says the UFC doesn’t currently book or rank them.

We couldn’t find the UFC giving a reason, so we won’t guess. What we can say is that the UFC has stuck with a smaller set of UFC weight classes, and each division has its own title. Let’s look at how fighters make those limits.

How UFC Weigh Ins Work

Official weigh ins take place the day before the fight, and the UFC says fighters step on the scale between 9 am and 11 am local time. Depending on the state athletic commission, a fighter who misses on the first try may get up to one more hour to cut the rest.

Fightful notes that many fighters walk around well above their fighting weight and cut down for the scale. It lists cramps, fatigue and impaired thinking among the effects, and says extreme cuts can be dangerous. That hidden cost is part of what UFC weight classes ask of a fighter. AgentMMA also warns that rules vary by jurisdiction, so the exact weigh in window can change. That’s why a fighter on fight night can look much bigger than the number on the poster.

What Happens When a Fighter Misses Weight

The UFC lists three common results: the fighter forfeits a percentage of the purse to the opponent, the two sides negotiate a catchweight bout or the fight is canceled in some cases.

In 2020, Deiveson Figueiredo weighed 127.5 pounds for a 125 pound flyweight title fight against Joseph Benavidez. Only Benavidez could win the title, and it was left vacant, according to the UFC. Next, we’ll define that catchweight term.

What Is a Catchweight Fight?

A catchweight is a limit agreed for one fight that sits outside the standard UFC weight classes. AgentMMA gives a 160 pound bout between lightweight and welterweight as an example. It can be agreed when the fight is booked or reset after a missed weight, but the opponent must accept it.

Commissions can say no. AgentMMA notes they may deny a contracted catchweight when the gap creates a safety concern. So if you’re comparing UFC weight classes and records, keep catchweight fights separate from divisional ones.

The Gaps Between Divisions Aren’t Even

Here’s a point most guides to UFC weight classes skip. The limits don’t climb in even steps. From the title limits above, flyweight to bantamweight and bantamweight to featherweight are each 10 pounds. Featherweight to lightweight is 10 pounds, while lightweight to welterweight and welterweight to middleweight are 15.

Then middleweight to light heavyweight jumps 20 pounds, and light heavyweight to heavyweight jumps 60. That’s why moving up a division doesn’t always mean adding the same amount of weight. It also means a fighter between classes may have fewer choices than fans think.

Common Mistakes When Reading UFC Weight Classes

Most errors with UFC weight classes come from four habits. The first is ignoring the one pound allowance, so a 156 pound lightweight looks like a miss when it isn’t. That error shows up in many lists of UFC weight classes. The second is trusting old pages. The 2017 Complex guide, for example, lists women’s featherweight and gives some ranges that don’t match the UFC’s own limits.

The third is mixing catchweight results into divisional records. The fourth is treating the weigh in number as a fighter’s real size. Fighters usually rehydrate after the scale, so the weight in the cage is often higher.

How Can You Check a Fighter’s Weight Class?

Use this quick routine for any fight. Is it a title fight or a non title fight? Is the fighter in a men’s or women’s division? Was the bout a catchweight? What’s the date on the source you’re reading? And does the UFC’s own page agree?

If you can answer all five, you can read any UFC weight classes list with confidence. If you can’t, double check before you share a number.

Division Belts and Custom MMA Belts

Each division has its own champion and title, so the UFC weight classes also decide how many belts exist. The UFC says fighters who win titles in more than one weight class get one belt per division, and you can read that in its announcement of the Legacy championship belt.

If you want a belt for a gym, a fight night or a trophy, see our custom MMA title belt maker or our UFC championship belt replica page. Fans of other promotions can read our Bellator MMA belt history. Don’t ask for the UFC name or logo on a custom design. Custom Championship Belt isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by the UFC or any fighter.

FAQ,s

How many UFC weight classes are there?

There are eight men’s divisions and three women’s divisions, with flyweight and bantamweight shared by both.

What is the heaviest of the UFC weight classes?

Heavyweight, with a title limit of 265 pounds and a non title limit of 266 pounds.

What is the lightest UFC weight class?

Women’s strawweight, with a title limit of 115 pounds.

Can a UFC fighter weigh more than the limit?

In non title fights, yes, by one pound. In title fights, no. Missing weight can mean a purse forfeit, a catchweight or a canceled bout.

When do UFC weigh-ins happen?

The day before the fight, between 9 am and 11 am local time, according to the UFC.

Does the UFC have a 165 pound division?

No. The Unified Rules recognize 165 pounds, but the UFC doesn’t currently book or rank that class, according to AgentMMA.

Conclusion

UFC weight classes are simple once you know the two rules: every division has a title limit and a non title limit, and anything outside the standard classes is a catchweight. Check the date on every list, keep catchweights separate and use the UFC’s own page for the final word.

If all this talk of divisions has you thinking about a title of your own, visit Custom Championship Belt to see what we can build for you.