Welterweight (MMA)
The welterweight division in mixed martial arts refers to a number of different weight classes:
- The UFC's welterweight division, which groups competitors within 156 to 170 lb (71 to 77 kg)[1]
- Pancrase's welterweight division, which formerly limited competitors to 165 lb (75 kg) now revised to 170 lb (77 kg)
- Shooto's welterweight class, which refers to competitors between 144 and 154 lb (66 and 70 kg)
- Pride FC's (defunct) welterweight division, which limited competitors to 183 lb (83 kg)
- SRC's (defunct) welterweight division, which formerly limited competitors to 168 lb (76 kg) revised to 170 lb (77 kg)
- Dream's (defunct) welterweight division, which limited competitors to 168 lb (76 kg)
Contents
Ambiguity and clarification
Many other sports that use the welterweight class, such as boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, define it as below about 147 lbs. The MMA welterweight class is therefore significantly heavier than the welterweight class of these other sports. For the sake of uniformity, many American mixed martial arts websites refer to competitors between 156 and 170 lb (71 and 77 kg) as welterweights. This encompasses the Shooto middleweight division (167 lb / 76 kg).
The welterweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission[2] and the Association of Boxing Commissions[3] is 170 lb (77 kg).
Professional Champions
Current champions
This table is not always up to date. Last updated on January 3rd, 2016
| Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC | December 6, 2014 |  Robbie Lawler |
26-10 (1) (20KO 1SUB) | 2 |
| Bellator MMA | July 17, 2015 |  Andrey Koreshkov |
18-1 (10KO 3SUB) | 0 |
| WSOF | Vacant | |||
| ONE Championship | August 29, 2014 | Ben Askren |
14-0 (4KO 4SUB) | 0 |
See also
- List of current MMA Welterweight champions
- List of UFC Welterweight Champions
- List of Strikeforce Welterweight Champions
- List of Pancrase Welterweight Champions
