Flyweight
Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing above 49 kg (108 lb) and up to 51 kg (112 lb).[1]
Professional boxing
The flyweight division was the last of boxing's eight traditional weight classes to be established. Before 1909, anyone below featherweight was considered a bantamweight, regardless of how small the boxer. In 1911, the organization that eventually became the British Boxing Board of Control held a match that crowned Sid Smith as the first flyweight champion of the world. Jimmy Wilde, who reigned from 1916 to 1923, was the first fighter recognized both in Britain and the United States as a flyweight champion.[2]
Other notable flyweights include Pancho Villa, Walter McGowan, Pascual Pérez, Pone Kingpetch, Fighting Harada, Masao Ohba, Chartchai Chionoi, Efren Torres, Erbito Salavarria, Miguel Canto, Dave McAuley, Charlie Magri, Gabriel Bernal, Santos Laciar, Sot Chitalada, Yong-Kang Kim, Yuri Arbachakov, Danny Romero, Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, Manny Pacquiao, Jorge Arce, Vic Darchinyan, Nonito Donaire, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Amnat Ruenroeng, Román González, McWilliams Arroyo, Donnie Nietes and Nicola Adams.
Current world champions
Sanctioning Body | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses | Beaten opponents |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
WBA | February 24, 2018 | ![]() |
20–0–0 (14 KO) | 4 | 4 |
WBC | December 20, 2019 | ![]() |
16–1–0 (12 KO) | 1 | 1 |
IBF | July 15, 2018 | ![]() |
39–2–0 (26 KO) | 3 | 3 |
WBO | vacant |
Current The Ring world rankings
As of August 24, 2024.[3]
Keys:
- C Current The Ring world champion
Rank | Name | Record (W–L–D) | Title(s) |
---|---|---|---|
C | vacant | ||
1 | ![]() |
15–0 (9 KO) | |
2 | ![]() |
39–2 (26 KO) | IBF |
3 | ![]() |
16–1 (12 KO) | WBC |
4 | ![]() |
20–0 (14 KO) | WBA |
5 | ![]() |
15–1 (6 KO) | |
6 | ![]() |
13–1 (7 KO) | |
7 | ![]() |
30–8–3 (16 KO) | |
8 | ![]() |
20–0 (15 KO) | |
9 | ![]() |
29–5 (20 KO) | |
10 | ![]() |
24–1 (20 KO) |
Longest reigning world flyweight champions
Below is a list of longest reigning flyweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply.
Name | Title reign | Title recognition | Successful defenses | Beaten opponents | Fights | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | ![]() |
7 years, 10 months | WBO | 16 | 15 | [4] |
2. | ![]() |
7 years, 4 months, 4 days | World | 3 | 3 | [5] |
3. | ![]() |
6 years, 4 months, 16 days | WBC | 17 | 16 | [6] |
4. | ![]() |
5 years, 8 months, 6 days | IBF | 6 | 6 | [7] |
5. | ![]() |
5 years, 4 months, 20 days | World | 9 | 9 | [8][9] |
6. | ![]() |
5 years, 4 months, 19 days | WBC | 9 | 9 | [10] |
7. | ![]() |
4 years, 9 months, 4 days | NBA | 1 | 1 | [11] |
8. | ![]() |
4 years, 2 months, 10 days | WBC | 14 | 11 | [12] |
9. | ![]() |
4 years, 1 month, 23 days | IBF | 4 | 4 | [13] |
10. | ![]() |
3 years, 9 months, 16 days | WBC | 6 | 5 | [14] |
Amateur boxing
Kickboxing
In kickboxing, a flyweight fighter generally weighs 53 kg (116 lb) or under. The International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Flyweight division (professional and amateur) is 112.1 lbs. – 117 lbs. or 50.95 kg – 53.18 kg.
Mixed Martial Arts
The flyweight division in mixed martial arts – as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission combat sports doctrine[15] and by the Association of Boxing Commissions[16] – groups together all competitors 125 lb (57 kg) and below. It sits between Strawweight (106 lbs-115 lbs) and Bantamweight (126 lbs-135lbs).
The flyweight division in mixed martial arts refers to a number of different weight classes:
- The UFC's flyweight division, which groups competitors within 116 to 125 lb (53 to 57 kg)
- The Pancrase light flyweight division with an upper limit of 120 lb
- The Shooto flyweight division with an upper limit of 115 lb[17]
- The ONE Championship's flyweight division, with upper limit at 61 kg (134.5 lb)
- The Road FC's flyweight division, with upper limit at 125 lb (57 kg)
Zuffa
On February 3, 2009, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) announced they would be adding a flyweight division set at 125 lb,[18] however the division was never instituted. When the UFC and WEC merged, UFC president Dana White indicated that the Ultimate Fighting Championship would likely add a flyweight division in the future.[19] The UFC flyweight division was officially announced in 2011;[20] with the inaugural champion being decided by way of a four-man tournament that began with the semifinal round held at the UFC on FX 2 event in Sydney Australia on March 2, 2012. Joseph Benavidez won his semi-final at UFC on FX 2 while Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall fought to a draw. Johnson and McCall rematched at UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall on June 8, 2012 with Johnson advancing. Johnson won the first UFC flyweight championship with his win over Benavidez at UFC 152.[21]
Professional Champions
These tables are not always up to date. Last updated on February 28, 2020.
Men:
Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
UFC | July 18, 2020 | ![]() |
18-1 (9KO 6SUB) | 0 |
ONE Championship | January 25, 2019 | ![]() |
18-3 (3KO 9SUB) | 0 |
Fight Nights Global | August 31, 2018 | ![]() |
13-3-0 (6TO 1SUB) | 0 |
Legacy Fighting Alliance | November 22, 2019 | ![]() |
11-4 (3KO 7SUB) | 0 |
Women:
Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
UFC | December 8, 2018 | ![]() ![]() |
19-3 (6KO 7SUB) | 3 |
Bellator MMA | November 3, 2017 | ![]() |
8-0 (1KO 5SUB) | 4 |
Invicta FC | ![]() |
|||
KSW | May 27, 2017 | ![]() |
11-3 (6KO 2SUB) | 2 |
Legacy Fighting Alliance | May 27, 2017 | ![]() |
5-0 (2KO) | 0 |
See also
- List of current MMA Flyweight Champions
- List of Road FC Flyweight Champions
- List of current MMA Women's Flyweight Champions
References
- ^ http://www.aiba.org/documents/site1/Articles%20&%20Rules/technical_and_competition_rules_20111025.pdf Technical & Competition Rules, Appendix K AIBA
- ^ Mullan, Harry (1996). Boxing: The Definitive Illustrated Guide to World Boxing. London, England: Carlton Books. p. 186. ISBN 0-7858-0641-5.
- ^ "The Ring ratings: flyweight". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Omar Andres Narvaez". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Jimmy Wilde". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Irene Pacheco". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Pascual Perez". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Pascual Perez, p. 678" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Yuri Arbachakov". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Jackie Paterson". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Miguel Canto". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Moruti Mthalane". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Sot Chitalada". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Nevada Revised Statutes: Chapter 467 - Unarmed Combat". leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ^ "Unified Rules of MMA". ABCBoxing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
- ^ Nelson, Chris (2010-07-19). "'The Way of Shooto 4' Quick Results". BloodyElbow.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
- ^ "WEC's long-awaited 125-pound weight class likely to come in early 2010". 2009-08-07.
- ^ "Dana White announces merger between UFC and WEC". Las Vegas Sun. 2010-10-28.
- ^ "UFC adds flyweights: Johnson vs. McCall, Benavidez vs. Urushitani at UFC on FX 2". MMAJunkie.com. 2011-12-11. Archived from the original on 2012-01-07.
- ^ MMAjunkie UFC Champ Demetrious Johnson critical of striking. retrieved 25 September 2012