The UFC Before Weight Classes
In the early days of the UFC, the organization didn't have weight classes. However, once MMA started to gain mainstream acceptance, UFC weight classes were added.
This helps level the playing field, so to speak, for competition between fighters. In the 90s, the UFC was looked at as a violent spectacle between severely mismatched competitors.
In the past, you would see a 200+ pound fighter matched up against a 165-pound fighter. Even though this is what laid the foudnation for the world's most popular MMA promotion today, it's easy to see how these kinds of events might be viewed as a circus.
Time to "Pick On Someone Your Own Size"
UFC athletes are some of the most skilled mixed martial artists in the world, and their weight divisions have evolved over time. The Men's weight classes range from Flyweight to Heavyweight, while the Women's weight classes range from Strawweight to Bantamweight.
The UFC is the most popular mixed martial arts promotion in the world, and it has been in business since 1993. The organization currently has 8 weight classes for men and 3 weight classes for women.
We'll answer some of your most commonly asked questions here, but first, stop and look at our custom weight class charts below!
Ultimate Fighting Championship - Men's Weight Divisions
Ultimate Fighting Championship - Women's Weight Divisions
Weight Divisions With The Most Professional Fighters
The UFC's current roster has fighters competing across all these different weight classes, although there are some that are more popular than others. The most popular divisions are Welterweight (170lb), Lightweight (155lb), Middleweight (185lb), and Light Heavyweight (205lb).
These four classes combine for over half of all fights in the UFC today.
3 of the Best Women's UFC fighters From Each Weight Division
The UFC has had a women's division since 2013 when Ronda Rousey defeated Liz Carmouche at UFC 157.
Since then, a number of other women have gained worldwide recognition, earning titles and becoming champions.
Here are The Top 3 Women's UFC Fighters from each weight class:
- Strawweight - (115 lbs.) - Zhang Weili
- Flyweight - (125 lbs.) - Valentina Shevchenko
- Bantamweight - (135 lbs.) - Kayla Harrison
8 of the Best Men's UFC fighters From Each Weight Class
While the Men's division has been around since the beginning, it took some time for all 8 weight divisions to build their own unique history and timeline of champions.
Here are The Top 8 Men's UFC fighters listed by division:
- Flyweight (125 lbs.): Alexandre Pantoja
- Bantamweight (135 lbs.): Merab Dvalishvili
- Featherweight (145 lbs.): Alexander Volkanovski
- Lightweight (155 lbs.): Ilia Topuria
- Welterweight (170 lbs.): Jack Della Maddalena
- Middleweight (185 lbs.): Khamzat Chimaev
- Light Heavyweight (205 lbs.): Magomed Ankalaev
- Heavyweight (265 lbs.): Tom Aspinall
Flyweight - 125 Pounds (56.7 kg)
Alexandre Pantoja is on an 8-fight winning streak in the Flyweight division. Before that, Brandon Moreno was the Champion. The speed and technicality of the fighters in the 125-pound division make it fast-paced and exciting to watch.
Bantamweight - 135 Pounds (61.2 kg)
At 135 pounds, Merab Dvalishvili is a wrecking machine. He has been undefeated in the UFC since September 2018. Before Merab, Sean O'Malley was the Bantamweight champ and before that, Aljamain Sterling held the title.
Featherweight - 145 Pounds (65.8 kg)
Alexander Volkanovski has had quite the impressive run in the Featherweight division. He has won several Fight of the Year awards from other MMA publications online including ESPN, Sherdog, and MMA Mania. The 145-pounders have a lot to offer the sport in terms of explosive matchups and fighter stardom.
Lightweight - 155 Pounds (70.3 kg)
Lightweight is the fourth-heaviest weight class in the UFC, and first appeared at UFC 12. The Lightweight division has long been one of the most popular divisions in MMA, due to it holding the "middle ground" position between Featherweight and Welterweight. Although most fighters who compete in this division are generally bigger than those who compete at Flyweight and Bantamweight, they are usually naturally smaller than those who compete at Welterweight or Middleweight.
Welterweight - 170 Pounds (77.1 kg)
The Welterweight division is the middle-of-the-pack weight class in the UFC, with a maximum weight limit of 170 pounds. Back in the early days of the UFC when people were still trying to figure out how this whole fighting-in-a-cage thing worked, they needed to make sure that every fighter could compete against one another without having too much of an advantage due to size or strength.
Jack Della Maddalena is the current Champion of this division, and rightfully so. Belal Muhammad held the belt before Maddalena successfully challenged him for the title in May 2025.
Middleweight - 185 Pounds (83.9 kg)
The Middleweight division has so much talent you could almost have a promotion dedicated to 185-pounders. The way Khamzat steamrolled Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, highlighted the fact that if you aren't well-rounded, you will have a difficult time dealing with fighters who are.
On average, Middleweight fighters tend to have a better gas tank than heavier fighters and more physical strength than lighter fighters which is why fights at 185 pounds tend to be so much more engaging.
Light Heavyweight - 205 Pounds (93.0 kg)
The Light Heavyweight weight class was introduced in 1997. The maximum allowed weight is 205 pounds (or 93.0 kg).
Currently, Magomed Ankalaev holds the Championship belt, after taking it from Alex Pereira in March 2025 at UFC 313.
Heavyweight - 265 Pounds (120.2 kg)
This is the class with the highest weight limit and the fewest fighters. (At least, that's what it's supposed to be.) In reality, Heavyweight has become one of the most popular weight classes thanks to fighters like Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones (retired), and who perform with one-punch knockout power.
Answering Your Questions About Weight Divisions
When were weight classes added to the UFC?
The first two Weight classes were included in the competition aspect of the UFC starting in 1997. At UFC 12, fighters could compete at Lightweight and Heavyweight. (Talk about limited options!)
Why aren't there more Women's weight class divisions?
This has been a popular question, especially recently among fans. Some argue that there aren't enough women who want to compete at heavier weights. There is also arguably less money for women in MMA right now, which helps inform the business side of professional sports.
Do other MMA Promotions use the same divisions?
One Championship includes a lighter weight class (for women), with fighters weighing in at no more than 115 pounds called the Atomweight division. One Championship's Men's divisions are categorized in the same as the UFC's.
PFL (Professional Fighter's League) has 6 Women's divisions and 7 Men's divisions.
Divisions for Local MMA Promotions will vary based on where you live.
Size Matters... We're Talking About Fighting Here
There are so many great fighters in both the men's and women's division today. As much fun as it is to go back and watch some of the earlier UFC fights where competitors fought it out regardless of the difference in weight, we're glad it doesn't happen like that anymore.
If wrestling, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu all have weight classes, why shouldn't the UFC? It's an unfortunately classic case of "better late than never".
We hope this cleared up any questions you had about UFC Weight Classes. Before you go, save this article for later, or take a screenshot of our Weight Division Charts at the top.
That way, you're prepared next time you check the rankings or watch a live event.
