2023 World UFC In-Class Rows

YOGYAKARTA - In mixed martial arts, athletes compete in heavyweights where they have to weigh weight on or around a certain weight the day before their fight on the official UFC balance.

The UFC currently has 12 heavyweights, all of which require fighters to weigh under the desired limits. Generally, fighters try to weigh on the right limits so they can lose the least weight during the weight cuts process while still meeting the numbers required on the scales.

The failure to achieve the required weight resulted in athletes losing the percentage of their fight wallets to their opponents, a deal between the two athletes to compete in the non-heavy heavyweight (catchweight) or cancel the fight altogether.

The official UFC balance is held the day before the night of the fight and requires athletes to weigh between 09.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. local time. Depending on the State Athletics Commission that regulates the fight, and/or the amount of weight to be made, an athlete who loses weight can be given an additional hour of their weighing time to try and lose the remaining weight and try again.

For the title race, athletes can weigh a pound above the division's weight limit, while the title race requires athletes to weigh properly, or below, specific weight.

That's confusing? That's because of that! So, here's all you need to know to understand the UFC heavyweights:

Jerami Class 115 pounds

shift Esparza against Rose Namajunas in the UFC strawweight championship fight during the UFC 274 event at the Footprint Center on May 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

The strawweight division is today's lightest division at the UFC and one of the four women's heavyweights. In 2014, current champions Strawweight shift Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas to become the first winner. Since then, the division has seen many UFC legends, such as Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Rose Namajunas.

For non-degree fights, strawweight athletes have one pound of leniency on a scale, meaning they can weigh up to 116 pounds. For the title fight, athletes must weigh or be below 115 pounds.

Flying Class 125 pounds

The flying class division is the first of three heavyweights to host the male and female divisions. Both divisions have had very few champions in recent years, with Valentina Shevchenko holding women's flying class belts since December 2018, while the men's division waited patiently for Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno to complete a series of four consecutive title fights in January at UFC. 283 in Brazil.

For non-performance fights, flight class athletes can weigh up to 126 pounds, while title fighting requires athletes to weigh at or below 125 pounds.

In 2020, Figueiredo is scheduled to fight in a flying class championship match against Joseph Benavidez. However, Figueiredo weighs 127.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds exceeding the championship limit. Despite winning the fight, Figueiredo did not become the champion for losing weight, and was instead given a rematch five months later.

Bantamweight 135 pounds

Another heavyweight division of men and women, the bantam class division has held some of the most iconic athletes and epic fights of this generation. One of the female MMA pioneers, Ronda Rousey, built her legacy in the bantam class division, garnering six titles that were successfully maintained as the division's first winner.

For non-degree fights, bantam class athletes can weigh up to 136 pounds, while the title fight requires a limit of 135 pounds.

Bulu Class 145

The last heavyweight featuring the men's and women's divisions was the fur class. Originally in 2010, after absorbing the weightweight of 145 pounds WEC, the UFC featherweight division has been home to some of the most eagerly awaited fights in UFC history, including the title fight between first-placed champion

For non-degree fights, featherweight athletes can weigh up to 146 pounds, while title fighting requires athletes to weigh at or below 145 pounds.

Light 155

Known as one of the deepest divisions in terms of talent, the UFC lightweight division has been the center of attention in recent years following the retirement of the UFC Hall of Famer and former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Last month at UFC 280: Oliveira vs Makhachev, Islam Makhachev beat Charles Oliveira in the race for their lightweight title, the vacant title due to former half-pound loss Oliveira (195.5) ahead of his championship fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274.

For non-degree fights, light athletes can weigh up to 156 pounds, while the title fight requires athletes to weigh or be below 155 pounds.

Welter Class 170

The welterweight division is the first 15-pound leap between heavyweights and has seen an increase in competitors lately. In August, Leon Edwards surprised former welterweight champions and former No. 1 pound-for-pound Kamaru Usman with the fifth round of knockouts at UFC 278's main event. Khamzat Chimaev and Belal Muhammad also strengthened their place in the Big 5 to win dominantly this fall.

Despite a greater leap in inter-divisional weights, for non-degree fights, welterweight athletes can only weigh up to 176 pounds, while the title race requires athletes to weigh at or below 170 pounds.

Middleweight 185 pounds

At UFC 281: Adesainya vs Pereira, the mid-class division became the center of attention at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the middleweight title battle between Israeli champions Adesa and Alex Pereira. His village has held the title since beating Robert Whittaker in October 2019 and is eyeing his sixth title which has been maintained.

For non-degree fights, mid-range athletes can weigh up to 186 pounds, while the title fight requires athletes to weigh at or below 185 pounds.

Light weight class 205 pounds

A 20-pound jump from the middle class, the lightweight heavyweight division has featured one of the greatest UFC talents of all time at Jon Jones. Bones holds a light heavyweight belt from 2011-2015 and 2018-2020, gathering 11 successful title defenses during that time.

For non-degree fights, light heavyweight athletes can weigh up to 206 pounds, while the title fight requires athletes to weigh at or below 205 pounds.

Weightweight 265 pounds

This is where it becomes fun. The UFC heavyweight division has the greatest leniency of any division in promotion, with athletes often weighing several pounds below the required bound. For example, at the Paris UFC in September, Ciryl Gane weighed on his heavyweight battle weighing 247 pounds, while his opponent Tai Tuivasa weighed on a non-degree heavyweight limit of 266 pounds. Some heavyweight athletes choose to have these weight differences so they can have little speed or strength advantage, depending on their expertise and fighting style.

For non-degree fights, heavyweight athletes can weigh up to 266 pounds, while the title fight requires athletes to weigh at or below 265 pounds.

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