The UFC has eight men’s and three active women’s divisions with a current champion. Fighters must make the division limit at the official weigh-in (title fights allow no extra pound).
| Division | Limit | Champion (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | 265 lb | Tom Aspinall (interim: Ciryl Gane) |
| Light heavyweight | 205 lb | Carlos Ulberg |
| Middleweight | 185 lb | Sean Strickland |
| Welterweight | 170 lb | Islam Makhachev |
| Lightweight | 155 lb | Justin Gaethje |
| Featherweight | 145 lb | Alexander Volkanovski |
| Bantamweight | 135 lb | Petr Yan |
| Flyweight | 125 lb | Joshua Van |
| Women’s bantamweight | 135 lb | Kayla Harrison |
| Women’s flyweight | 125 lb | Natalia Silva |
| Women’s strawweight | 115 lb | Mackenzie Dern |
Champions verified October 18, 2026. Heavyweight has a minimum of 206 lb.
Who moved up and down in 2025–26
| Fighter | Move | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev | Lightweight to welterweight | Won the welterweight title, Nov 2025 |
| Ilia Topuria | Featherweight to lightweight | Won the lightweight title, Jun 2025; lost it Jun 2026 |
| Khamzat Chimaev | Welterweight to middleweight | Won the middleweight title, Aug 2025; lost it May 2026 |
Moving between divisions is one of the defining storylines of modern MMA. A champion who moves up faces naturally bigger opponents; one who moves down must cut more weight, which carries health risks. The UFC’s weigh-ins are held the day before the fight, which gives fighters time to rehydrate — one reason most fighters compete well above the division limit on fight night.
Title fight rules
For a title fight, both fighters must weigh in at or below the division limit; in non-title fights a one-pound allowance applies. A champion who misses weight cannot win the title and may be stripped.
FAQ
What is the heaviest UFC weight class?
Heavyweight, with a limit of 265 pounds.
What is the lightest UFC weight class?
Women's strawweight, at 115 pounds.