BOXING AND MMA are packed with fighters from all walks of life.
It would be foolish for anyone to fight anyone they want, regardless of their physical stature or size. Therefore, weight classes were created.
Deontay Wester weighs in prior to his second heavyweight fight against Tyson Fury
There are 17 weight divisions in boxing. They start at strawweight and end up at heavyweight.
The UFC is the largest MMA organization in the world. There are twelve weight classes. Eight for male fighters, and four for female fighters.
What happens if two fighters don't want to fight in the same weight class? The catchweight...
What is a catchweight for combat sports?
A catchweight is the agreed-upon weight of both fighters in a fight that is not within the exciting weight classes.
Amir Khan faces Kell Brook this weekend in a big Brit grudge clash. Although both fighters have fought from super-lightweight to super-welterweight in their respective careers, they won't be fighting in those weights.
The fight will take place at 149lbs instead, which is two more pounds than the standard welterweight limit.
Catchweights can be agreed to in a contract. They are usually brought in to help a fighter struggling to lose weight. The opposing fighter is unlikely to want to move up to a full weight class.
As punishment, if a fighter tries to shave more than the stipulated weight class, purse charges are often imposed.
Brook and Khan are facing a six-figure fine if they fail to meet the 149lb weight limit.
Although catchweight fights are not as common in the UFC than in boxing, there have been some.
Alex Volkanovski, the current featherweight champion, fought Shane Young at a 150lbs catchweight in 2017, giving him a week notice.
Boxing weight classes
- Strawweight - 105lbs
- Light-flyweight - 108lbs
- Flyweight - 112lbs
- Super-flyweight - 115lbs
- Bantamweight – 118lbs
- Super-bantamweight - 122lbs
- Featherweight - 126lbs
- Super-featherweight - 130lbs
- Lightweight - 135 lbs
- Super-lightweight - 140lbs
- Welterweight - 147lbs
- Super-welterweight 154lbs
- Middleweight - 160lbs
- Super-middleweight - 168lbs
- Light-heavyweight - 175lbs
- Cruiserweight - 200 lbs
- Bridgerweight* - 224lbs
- Heavyweight - 200lbs+
* Only WBC recognized in boxing.
UFC weight classes
Female Weights
- Strawweight - 115lbs
- Flyweight - 125 Pounds
- Bantamweight – 135lbs
- Featherweight - 145lbs
Male weights
- Flyweight - 125 Pounds
- Bantamweight – 135lbs
- Featherweight - 145lbs
- Lightweight - 155lbs
- Welterweight - 170lbs
- Middleweight - 185lbs
- Light-heavyweight - 200lbs
- Heavyweight - 200lbs+
