All UFC Weight Classes In Order With Champions And History

Table of Contents

• List Of UFC Weight Divisions
• Who Are The Current UFC Champions
• The UFC Rankings By Weight Class
• UFC Women’s Strawweight Division 115 lbs
• UFC Flyweight Division
• UFC Bantamweight Division 135 lbs
• UFC Featherweight Division 145 lbs
• UFC Lightweight Division 155 lbs
• UFC Welterweight Division 170 lbs
• UFC Middleweight Division 185 lbs
• UFC Light Heavyweight Division 205 lbs
• UFC Heavyweight Division 265 lbs

So you want to know when the UFC first started weight classes and what were those weight classes? Well, the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championships first began in 1993. And originally there were no predefined weight classes. Rather people of all shapes and sizes stepped into the UFC octagon to compete against one another, regardless of size.

It would not be until 1997 that the new UFC weight classes would begin to emerge. And a lightweight class with everything on or under 199 lbs. Alongside a heavyweight division with everything on or over 200 lbs.

Then from 1997 to 2012 the UFC only allowed male fighters to compete. UFC President Dana White commented in 2011 that he would never allow women to compete in their promotion. While there were female MMA fighters competing in other promotions the UFC was still holding.

However, this all changed in 2012 with the introduction of the women’s bantamweight division, led by its inaugural champion Rowdy Ronda Rousey. Rousey was the Strikeforce Champion when the UFC purchased the promotion. Their fighters were absorbed by the UFC, including the women’s bantamweight division.

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These weight classes define at what weight fighter, both male and female will compete. With eight divisions for male competitors ranging from Flyweight to heavyweight. While for females it’s from strawweight to featherweight.

Despite trying to this date, they have not been able to pool enough good female fighters to build a lightweight division. And as a result, the promotion saw one of its biggest fan-favourite female fighters Cris Cyborg leave the UFC in 2019. Seeking competitive fights with another promotion.

List Of UFC Weight Divisions

Below is a table consisting of all the current weight classes in the UFC, including both the male and female divisions. Whether or not some are added or taken away at some point in the future has yet to be decided.

Weight Class	Weight (lbs)
Strawweight	115
Flyweight	125
Bantamweight	135
Featherweight	145
Lightweight	155
Welterweight	170
Middleweight	185
Light heavyweight	205
Heavyweight	265

Who Are The Current UFC Champions

Like most combat sports, outside of the dominant fighters who have won consistently for some years. UFC champions at the top of their respective divisions change quite regularly. So below we will take a look at the weight divisions along with the current reigning champions.

From the women’s flyweight division right up to the big heavyweights. We will take a comprehensive look at all the different classes in the UFC, along with information on the champions and top contenders.

It is very important that there are different weight divisions and different champions of those respective divisions. This allows for one fighter to dominate at that specific weight while allowing other fighters at other weights to compete within their own weight bracket. Creating more opportunities for world championship titles can only be a good thing.

Some fighters who are able to cut a lot of weight are able to move between several different weight classes. Allowing them to compete at those alternate weights and possibly become a UFC champion across multiple divisions. This happens quite regularly with some fighters deciding to move up or down a division.

And sometimes resulting in them winning belts in more than one division. To date, only two fighters have held a UFC championship belt in two divisions simultaneously. And they were Daniel Cormier at light heavyweight and heavyweight. Amanda Nunes at bantamweight and featherweight. Henry Cejudo at flyweight and bantamweight, as well as Conor McGregor at featherweight and lightweight.

The UFC Rankings By Weight Class

Below is the list of male UFC fighters in their respective weight classes. We shall begin with the lightest weight classes and continue to the heaviest weight class. There are a total of nine divisions, with eight for men and three for women. We don’t count the women’s featherweight division as it currently has a champion without any contenders.

UFC Women’s Strawweight Division 115 lbs

The UFC women’s strawweight division has the very best female fighters in the world at the 115 lb limit. And while it has only existed since its inception in 2014. It has quickly become one of the most exciting and enthralling in the UFC. Post Ronda Rousey it was this division and its long-reigning champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk who captured the hearts and minds of MMA fans worldwide.

Women’s Strawweight Division
Current champion: Rose Namajunas
Top Contenders:
1: Weili Zhang
2: Rose Namajunas
3: Tatiana Suarez
4: Joanna Jedrzejczyk
5: Nina Ansaroff
6: Claudia Gadelha
7: Carla Esparza
8: Michelle Waterson
9: Marina Rodriguez
10: Cynthia Calvillo

UFC Flyweight Division

The flyweight division is the first of the divisions which have both males and females fighting at the 125 lb weight limit. While the men’s division was dominated by Demetrious Johson for many years. The women’s division may see the same situation, with its current champion looking set to stay at the very top for some time to come.

Men’s Flyweight Division	Women’s Flyweight Division
No current champion	Current champion: Valentina Shevchenko
Top Contenders:	Top Contenders:
1: Deiveson Figueiredo	Jessica Eye
2: Joseph Benavidez	Katelyn Chookagian
3: Jussier Formiga	Joanne Calderwood
4: Alexandre Pantoja	Jennifer Maia
5: Brandon Moreno	Roxanne Modafferi
6: Askar Askarov	Lauren Murphy
7: Kai Kara France	Viviane Araujo
8: Rogerio Bontorin	Andrea Lee
9: Alex Perez	Maycee Barber
10: Matt Schnell	Alexis Davis

UFC Bantamweight Division 135 lbs

The bantamweight division offers the best male and female fighters at the 135 lb limit in the UFC. And while the men’s division was dominated by former WEC champion Dominick Cruz. Amanda Nunes, the women’s weight class has a Brazilian fighter who looks set to dominate for some time to come.

Men’s Bantamweight Division	Women’s Bantamweight Division
Current champion: Henry Cejudo	Current champion: Amanda Nunes
Top 10 Contenders:	Top 10 Contenders:
1: Marlon Moraes	Germaine De Randamie
2: Aljamain Sterling	Holly Holm
3: Petr Yan	Aspen Ladd
4: Cory Sandhagen	Julianna Peña
5: Raphael Assuncao	Irene Aldana
6: Jose Aldo	Rachel Pennington
7: Pedro Munhoz	Ketlen Vieira
8: Jimmie Rivera	Yana Kunitskaya
9: Cody Garbrandt	Sara McMann
10: Rob Font	Marion Reneau

UFC Featherweight Division 145 lbs

The very best fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championships at the 145 lb weight limit. Jose Aldo Junior ruled over the weight class in two promotions for almost half a decade. Then Conor McGregor came along and stole the show. Perhaps the current champion will be able to hold the belt going forward to re-establish some long-term stability.

Men’s Featherweight Division
Current champion: Alexander Volkanovski
Top Contenders:
1: Max Holloway
2: Brian Ortega
3: Zabit Magomedsharipov
4: Chan Sung Jung
5: Yair Rodriguez
6: Frankie Edgar
7: Jeremy Stephens
8: Josh Emmett
9: Calvin Kattar
10: Shane Burgos

UFC Lightweight Division 155 lbs

The listings for the best male fighters at the 155 lb limit in the UFC. And at this moment in time, the undisputed best 155 lb fighter in the world is currently none other than Khabib Nurmagomedov. A stacked division with arguably the best talent in the UFC and the Russian rules over them with an iron fist.

Men’s Lightweight Division
Current champion: Khabib Nurmagomedov
Top Contenders:
1: Tony Ferguson
2: Dustin Poirier
3: Conor McGregor
4: Justin Gaethje
5: Dan Hooker
6: Donald Cerrone
7: Paul Felder
8: Charles Oliveira
9: Al Iaquinta
10: Kevin Lee

UFC Welterweight Division 170 lbs

The welterweight division of the UFC was for a long time regarded as the toughest. Dominated by one fighter for many years, the division title has recently moved to a new owner. While it may not dominate the headlines as it did previously. There’s little doubting the sheer quality at 170 lbs and potential matchups.

Men’s Welterweight Division
Current Champion: Kamaru Usman
Top Contenders:
1: Tyron Woodley
2: Colby Covington
3: Jorge Masvidal
4: Leon Edwards
5: Stephen Thompson
6: Gilbert Burns
7: Demian Maia
8: Michael Chiesa
9: Rafael Dos Anjos
10: Nate Diaz

UFC Middleweight Division 185 lbs

The 185 lb division was dominated for many years by a single fighter. More recently is the division’s title has switched hands several times. And the current iteration of a champion looks pretty unbeatable, for now! Come back in the future and this statement may have been updated, repeatedly.

Men’s Middleweight Division
Current champion: Israel Adesanya
Top Contenders:
1: Robert Whittaker
2: Paulo Costa
3: Jared Cannonier
4: Yoel Romero
5: Darren Till
6: Jack Hermansson
7: Kelvin Gastelum
8: Derek Brunson
9: Edmen Shahbazyan
10: Uriah Hall

UFC Light Heavyweight Division 205 lbs

The 205 lb division of the UFC was for many years dominated by one fighter, Jon Bones Jones. After a brief stint away from the sport, he returned and quickly regained his title. With fighters lining up to get their shot, will the light heavyweight King hold on to his throne going forward? We shall have to wait and see.

Men’s Light Heavyweight Division
Current champion: Jon Jones
Top Contenders:
1: Dominick Reyes
2: Thiago Santos
3: Anthony Smith
4: Jan Blachowicz
5: Corey Anderson
6: Volkan Oezdemir
7: Alexander Gustafsson
8: Glover Teixeira
9: Aleksandar Rakic
10: Nikita Krylov

UFC Heavyweight Division 265 lbs

The UFC’s heavyweight division is home to its heaviest fighters, over 205 lbs, but below the 256 lb limit. With some absolute monsters who have to cut weight to make the limit, this division has always been the home of the knockouts. Lots of big dudes with attitudes and one giant sitting at the very top.

Men’s Heavyweight Division
Current champion: Francis Ngannou
Top Contenders:
1: Ciryl Gane
2: Stipe Miocic
3: Curtis Blaydes
4: Junior Dos Santos
5: Derrick Lewis
6: Jairzinho Rozenstruik
7: Alexander Volkov
8: Alistair Overeem
9: Walt Harris
10: Shamil Abdurakhimov

I hope you enjoyed my take on the UFC weight classes and their current champions. In a sport where things can and do change from week to week. I will keep the list updated when any major changes occur. So keep an eye on the action and I will see you back here again in the not-too-distant future I hope.