Weight class
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 and wrestling). Alternatives to formal weight classes include catch weight and openweight.
| Part of a series on |
| Human body weight |
|---|
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light heavyweight | 79.4 | 93.0 | 102.1 | 88.3 |
| Middleweight | 72.6 | 83.9 | 93 | 82.3 |
| Welterweight | 66.7 | 77.1 | 83.9 | |
| Lightweight | 61.2 | 70.3 | 77.1 | 76 |
| Featherweight | 57.2 | 65.8 | 70.3 | 70 |
| Bantamweight | 53.5 | 61.2 | 65.8 | 57.5 |
| Flyweight | 50.8 | 56.7 | 61.2 |
See also
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