All UFC Weight Classes In Order With Champions And History (2023)

Index

• List of UFC weight classes
• Who are the current UFC champions?
• UFC rankings by weight class
• UFC Women's Strawweight 115 pounds
• UFC flyweight
• UFC bantamweight 135 pounds
• UFC featherweight 145 pounds
• UFC Lightweight Division 155 lbs
• UFC Welterweight 170 pounds
• UFC average weight 185 pounds
• UFC Light Heavyweight Division 205 Pfund
• UFC Heavyweight Division 265 pounds

So you want to know when the UFC started weight classes and what those classes were? Well, the UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championships, started in 1993. And originally, there were no predefined weight classes. Instead, people of all shapes and sizes have entered the UFC Octagon to compete regardless of size.

It wasn't until 1997 that the new UFC weight classes would appear. And a lightweight class with anything over or under 199 lbs. As well as a heavyweight division with anything at or above 200 pounds.

so sinceFrom 1997 to 2012, the UFC only allowed male fightersto compete. UFC President Dana White stated in 2011 that he would never allow women to compete in his promotion. While there were female MMA fighters competing in other promotions, the UFC was still going strong.

However, that all changed in 2012 with the introduction of the women's bantamweight division, led by its first champion, Rowdy Ronda Rousey. Rousey was the Strikeforce champion when the promotion was purchased by the UFC. Her female fighters were introduced into the UFC, including the women's bantamweight division.

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These weight classes define what weight fighters, men and women, will compete at. Featuring eight divisions for male competitors, ranging from flyweight to heavyweight. While for women it goes from strawweight to featherweight.

Although they've tried so far, they haven't been able to gather good enough fighters to build an easy division. As a result, fan-favorite fighter Cris Cyborg left the UFC in 2019 and pursued competitive fights with another promotion.

List of UFC weight classes

Below is a table of all current weight classes in the UFC, including the men's and women's divisions. It has yet to be decided if some will be added or removed at some point in the future.

Who are the current UFC champions?

Like most martial arts, outside of the dominant fighters they have been winning consistently for several years now. UFC champions at the top of their respective divisions alternate fairly regularly. Next, we'll look at the weight classes along with current champions.

From female flyweights to big heavyweights. We take a comprehensive look at the different UFC classes, along with information on champions and top contenders.

It is very important that there are different weight classes and different champions of those respective classes. This allows a fighter to dominate at that specific weight while allowing other fighters to compete at other weights within their own weight range. Creating more world title chances can only be good.

Some fighters who can save a lot of weight can switch between several different weight classes. So that they can compete with these alternative weights and possiblyBecome a UFC championacross several divisions. This happens quite often when some fighters decide to move up or down a division.

And that sometimes results in winning belts in more than one division. To date, only two fighters have simultaneously held the UFC belt in two divisions. and they wereDaniel Cormier at light heavyweight and heavyweight. Amanda Nunes at bantamweight and featherweight. Henry Cejudo at flyweight and bantamweight and Conor McGregor at featherweight and lightweight.

UFC rankings by weight class

Below is the list of UFC male fighters in their respective weight classes. We start with the lightest weight class and move to the heaviest weight class. There are nine divisions in total, eight for men and three for women. We don't count the women's featherweight, as there is currently a champion with no competitors.

UFC Women's Strawweight 115 pounds

The UFC women's strawweight division has the best female fighters in the world at the 115-pound barrier. And though it's only been around since its inception in 2014, it's quickly become one of the most exciting and intriguing in the UFC. After Ronda Rousey, it was this division and its longtime champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, that captured the hearts and minds of MMA fans around the world.

UFC flyweight

The flyweight division is the first of the divisions where men and women fight at the 125-pound weight limit. While the men's division was dominated by Demetrious Johnson for many years. The women's division could go through the same situation, as the current champions are expected to remain at the top for some time.

UFC bantamweight 135 pounds

Bantamweight boasts the best male and female fighters at the 135-pound barrier in the UFC. And while the men's department was dominated byFormer WEC Champion Dominick Cruz. Amanda Nunes, the women's division has a Brazilian who will dominate for some time.

UFC featherweight 145 pounds

The best fighters in the Ultimate Fighting Championships with a weight limit of 145 pounds. José Aldo Junior commanded the weight division in two promotions for almost half a decade. Then Conor McGregor came along and stole the show. Perhaps the current champion can keep the belt in the future to restore some long-term stability.

UFC Lightweight Division 155 lbs

Lists the best male fighters under the 155-pound mark in the UFC. And now, the undisputed best 155-pound fighter in the world is none other than Khabib Nurmagomedov. A division with arguably the UFC's greatest talent, and the Russian rules it with an iron fist.

UFC Welterweight 170 pounds

The UFC welterweight division has long been considered the toughest. The division title, which was held by one boxer for many years, has recently changed hands. Though he might not be dominating the headlines like he used to be. There's no questioning the great quality of the 170-pound fighters and the potential matchups.

UFC average weight 185 pounds

The 185-pound division was dominated by a single contender for many years. More recently, the division title has changed hands several times. And the current iteration of a champion looks pretty unbeatable for now! Please check back in the future and this statement may have been updated repeatedly.

UFC Light Heavyweight Division 205 Pfund

The UFC's 205-pound division was dominated by one fighter, Jon, for many years.OssoJones. After a brief hiatus from the sport, he returned and quickly regained his title. With fighters lining up to get his shot, will the light heavyweight king retain his throne going forward? We have to wait.

UFC Heavyweight Division 265 pounds

The UFC's heavyweight division is home to its heaviest fighters, who weigh in at over 205 pounds but under the 256-pound mark. With some absolute monsters having to lose weight to reach the limit, this division has always been the home of knockouts. Lots of big guys with attitude and a giant sitting on top.

I hope you enjoyed my take on UFC weight classes and current champions. In a sport where things can and do change from week to week. I will update the list as major changes occur. So stay tuned and I hope to see you back here in the not too distant future.