Weight Classes in Combat Sports: MMA, Boxing and Kickboxing

Choosing the right weight class is one of the most important decisions you make as a fighter — and it’s often made wrong. Here’s an overview of the classes across the major combat sports, and how to find the one that fits your body.

Why the weight class matters so much

The weight class sets how big your opponent can be — and therefore how much you realistically have to cut to get down there. Pick too low and you spend the whole camp starving and sweating instead of training. Pick too high and you may face bigger, stronger opponents. The balance lies in your walking-around weight (your normal, well-conditioned weight) versus the class limit.

Weight classes in MMA

MMA typically uses these classes (the men’s UFC divisions, in kg):

Class	Limit
Flyweight	56.7 kg
Bantamweight	61.2 kg
Featherweight	65.8 kg
Lightweight	70.3 kg
Welterweight	77.1 kg
Middleweight	83.9 kg
Light heavyweight	93.0 kg
Heavyweight	120.2 kg

Amateur MMA often uses slightly different limits and a narrower gap between classes.

Weight classes in boxing

Professional boxing has many, closely spaced classes — from strawweight (~47.6 kg) up to heavyweight (over 90.7 kg). The many classes mean you rarely need a brutal cut to reach one that fits.

Weight classes in kickboxing and Muay Thai

Kickboxing (e.g. under WAKO) and Muay Thai typically use classes with 3-4 kg gaps, often tighter the lower you go. Amateur events usually have many classes, so beginners can find one close to their walking-around weight — strongly recommended for your first fight.

How to choose your class

A healthy rule of thumb: your daily walking-around weight should sit around 5-8% above your intended fight weight — no more. If you have to cut more than that, you’re probably aiming too low. Read our guide to how much weight you can realistically cut for the concrete numbers.

Once you’ve chosen a class, the rest is planning: gentle fat loss in the weeks leading up, a controlled water load in fight week, and a well-thought-out refuel after the weigh-in.

Important

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Choose your weight class together with your coach — and pick a class too high rather than too low, especially for your first fight. A safe cut beats a desperate cut every time.

MyFightPrep helps you see whether your chosen weight class is realistic based on your walking-around weight and fight date — free.