UFC weight classes have not been in existence until the late 1990s. Before then, any fighter could fight against any other opponent. There are a series of diverse weight divisions in which top-ranked fighters are allowed to compete in the UFC. Typically, a UFC competition features a total of 12 divisions. Male competitors participate in 8 divisions while the female counterparts participate in 4 divisions.
Each category comes with UFC titles, and every fighter fights hard to defend the title once they clinch it. Women fight in the Strawweight, Bantamweight, Flyweight, and Featherweight divisions. Men don’t fight in the Strawweight division; however, they compete in all the other divisions, which include heavyweight, light heavyweight, middle heavyweight, welterweight, lightweight, and featherweight.
Let’s look at some of these divisions as follows.
Heavyweight Division
If you weigh at least 91kg, then you qualify for this division. The heavyweight division groups together all competitors above 200 pounds. The current champion of this class is Stipe Miocic.
Light heavyweight Division
The light heavyweight division encompasses all fighters that weigh up to 199 pounds.
Middleweight division
The UFC’s middleweight division involves competitors weighing between 155 and 170 lb.
Lightweight Division
This class brings together all fighters who weigh between 146 pounds to 155 pounds. This class hosts some of the biggest stars in UFC like McGregor and Khabib. It is famed for its competitive nature. The current titleholder is Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Strawweight division
Strawweight division in mixed martial arts is designed for competitors weighing between 106 and 115 lb.
Flyweight divisions
The flyweight division groups, together with all competitors who are 125lb or 57 kg and below. This Division sits between the Strawweight and Bantamweight.
Featherweight division
Featherweight division in the women category was designed for women making a debut appearance in the sport. The competitors should weigh between 136 to 145 lb. Its reigning champion is the impressive Amanda Nunes.