Weight class

Division of competition used to match competitors against others of their own size

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Weight classes are divisions of competition used to match competitors against others of their own size. Weight classes are used in a variety of sports including rowing, weight lifting, and especially combat sports^[1] such as boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). Alternatives to formal weight classes include catch weight and openweight.

The existence of weight divisions gives rise to the practice of weight cutting. To be the largest individual in a weight division is perceived as advantageous; therefore many athletes lose weight through dieting and dehydration prior to weigh-ins to qualify for a lower weight class.^[2]

Comparison

Below are selected maximum weight limits, for the major classes in different sports.

Divisions	Boxing (kg)	MMA (kg)	Kickboxing (kg) (ONE)	BJJ (kg)	Judo (kg)
Heavyweight					+100
Light heavyweight	79.4	93.0	102.1	88.3
Middleweight	72.6	83.9	93	82.3	90
Welterweight	66.7	77.1	83.9
Lightweight	61.2	70.3	77.1	76	73
Featherweight	57.2	65.8	70.3	70
Bantamweight	53.5	61.2	65.8	57.5
Flyweight	50.8	56.7	61.2

References

^ Bagchi, Debasis; Sreejayan, Nair; Sen, Chandan K. (26 July 2013). Nutrition and Enhanced Sports Performance: Muscle Building, Endurance, and Strength. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-396477-9 – via Google Books.
^ Peveler, Will (14 July 2021). Strength and Conditioning for Mixed Martial Arts: A Practical Guide for the Busy Athlete. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-5381-3955-4 – via Google Books.

Media related to Weight classes at Wikimedia Commons

v t e Weight classes in boxing
Professional boxing	Atomweight (women only) Mini flyweight Light flyweight Flyweight Super flyweight Bantamweight Super bantamweight Featherweight Super featherweight Lightweight Light welterweight Welterweight Light middleweight Middleweight Super middleweight Light heavyweight Cruiserweight Heavyweight
Amateur/Olympic boxing	Light flyweight Flyweight Bantamweight Featherweight Lightweight Light welterweight Welterweight Light middleweight Middleweight Light heavyweight Heavyweight Super heavyweight
Other/unofficial	Catchweight Openweight Super cruiserweight Bridgerweight

v t e Weight classes in mixed martial arts
Unified Rules	Strawweight 115 lb (52.2 kg) Flyweight 125 lb (56.7 kg) Bantamweight 135 lb (61.2 kg) Featherweight 145 lb (65.8 kg) Lightweight 155 lb (70.3 kg) Super lightweight 165 lb (74.8 kg) Welterweight 170 lb (77.1 kg) Super welterweight 175 lb (79.4 kg) Middleweight 185 lb (83.9 kg) Super middleweight 195 lb (88.5 kg) Light heavyweight 205 lb (93.0 kg) Cruiserweight 225 lb (102.1 kg) Heavyweight 265 lb (120.2 kg) Super heavyweight over 265 lb (120.2 kg)
Other	Atomweight 105 lb (47.6 kg) Catchweight Openweight

Weight classes in mixed martial arts

Unified Rules