Weight classes ensure fairness in the UFC. Still, there are ways for fighters to game the system, gaining unfair advantages at the risk of their own health.
Fighters soften cut extreme weight, or switch divisions to get every advantage they can in the UFC Octagon.
This guide explains UFC weight divisions, weight cutting, penalties for missing weight, and other topics, such as how UFC could improve its weight classes.
What UFC weight classes are
UFC weight classes separate fighters by stature. In order to compete in a fight, a competitor must weigh in within a certain weight limit. Weight classes exist to prevent ridiculous size disparities, maintain fighter safety, and ensure fairness.
Full list of UFC weight classes
- Women’s strawweight: 115 lbs
- Flyweight (men’s and women’s): 125 lbs
- Bantamweight (men’s and women’s): 135 lbs
- Featherweight: 145 lbs
- Lightweight: 155 lbs
- Welterweight: 170 lbs
- Middleweight: 185 lbs
- Light heavyweight: 205 lbs
- Heavyweight: 265 lbs
Keen-eyed fans will notice the big jump from lightweight to welterweight, and from middleweight to light heavyweight. Hardcore UFC fans want the promotion to implement 165-lb and 195-lb divisions to fill the gap, and perhaps an openweight division above heavyweight.
‘Cutting weight’ for UFC fights
‘Cutting weight’ refers to fighters losing a significant amount of weight in a short time frame to weigh in for their fight. Some fighters, like Reinier de Ridder, can cut upwards of 25 lbs during fight week to weigh in. De Ridder must weigh in at 185 lbs, but has been north of 210 lbs (heavyweight) during Fight Night.
How UFC fighters cut weight
Fighters cut weight primarily through fasting and dehydration. A majority of the weight they lose prior to weigh-ins is water weight, which is why they can rehydrate and regain a stunning amount of mass before stepping in the cage on Fight Night.
Penalties for missing weight
Punishments for missing weight can be quite severe. They can range from the fight being renegotiated to ‘catchweight,’ to the offending fighter having a percentage of their purse taken away, to the fight being cancelled or the offending fighter being removed from the roster.
If a fighter misses weight for a championship fight, they can no longer win the title. If they hold the title, they are stripped. Charles Oliveira notoriously lost his belt to the scales against Justin Gaethje in 2022. As a result, he had one title defense instead of two, and hasn’t won the belt since.
Moving weight class & UFC double champs
Fighters can choose to move up or down in weight class. They typically do this because of difficulties cutting weight or because they’re too small for their current division. Champions can also move up or down to claim another belt.
Conor McGregor won the flyweight and featherweight belts simultaneously. Ilia Topuria is a two-division champion, vacating his featherweight title to claim the belt at lightweight. Alex Pereira is a three-time champ and two-division titleholder.
It pays to pay attention to fighter weight classes. They exist to keep fights fair, but they’ve also become a part of strategy.
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