The bantamweight division in mixed martial arts refers to a number of different weight classes:
The bantamweight division sits between the lighter flyweight (116–125 lb) division and the heavier featherweight division (136–145 lb).
For the sake of uniformity, many American mixed martial arts websites refer to competitors between 126 and 135 lb (57 and 61 kg) as bantamweights, as it encompasses both the Shooto Featherweight division (132 lb / 60 kg) and the King of the Cage Flyweight division (135 lb / 61 kg). The Association of Boxing Commissions, which governs MMA in the United States, uses the 126-135 standard for "bantamweight".
Prior to UFC 31, 150-pound (68 kg) fighters were known as bantamweights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, after which the weight limit was raised to 155 lb (70 kg), and the division was reinstated as the lightweight class.
The bantamweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission[2] and the Association of Boxing Commissions[3] is 135 lb (61.36 kg).
These tables were last updated in August 2023.
Men:
Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
UFC | August 20, 2023 | Sean O'Malley | 18–1–1 (12KO 1SUB) | 1 |
Bellator | November 17, 2023 | Patchy Mix | 20–1 (2KO 13SUB) | 1 |
ONE Championship | February 25, 2023 | Fabrício Andrade | 9–2 (5KO 2SUB) | 0 |
Rizin FF | N/A | Vacant | N/A | N/A |
Fight Nights Global | October 14, 2022 | Sabit Zhusupov | 15–3 (6KO 3SUB) | 0 |
KSW | December 17, 2022 | Jakub Wikłacz | 14-3-1 (0KO 9SUB) | 0 |
Cage Warriors | N/A | Vacant | N/A | N/A |
ACA | March 26, 2022 | Oleg Borisov | 26–6–1 (12KO 1SUB) | 1 |
Brave CF | N/A | Vacant | N/A | N/A |
Legacy Fighting Alliance | June 16, 2023 | John Sweeney | 13–3 (4KO 3SUB) | 0 |
Women:
Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
UFC | January 20, 2024 | Raquel Pennington | 16–8 (1KO 4SUB) | 0 |
Invicta FC | January 18, 2023 | Talita Bernardo | 10–4 (0KO 6SUB) | 0 |