ONE Championship Weight Classes: Everything You need to know

ONE Championship has weight classes based on the walking weight of fighters rather than their pre-fight weight. Due to this, there is a difference in the weight classes which are used in ONE Championship when compared to other promotions. Most of the other promotions like UFC follow weight classes defined in the Unified Rules of MMA.

Why does ONE Championship have different weight classes?

In fact, ONE Championship introduced the rule to improve fighter safety and to avoid weight-cutting by dehydration. ONE championship’s policy on weight mandated that athletes are monitored in their training camps, and have urine-specific gravity tests to ensure they are hydrated up to three hours ahead of their fights.

ALSO READ | UFC Weight Classes Explained: Everything You Need to Know about them

After the death of Yang Jian Bing, a 21-year-old Chinese fighter (who was set to fight Geje Eustaquio) on December 11, 2015, in the Philippines due to dehydration caused by weight-cutting, the decision was made to follow this system. Yang reportedly suffered dehydration and a suspected heatstroke during his weight cut. Then ONE Championship CEO Victor Cui had the following statement after the incident.

“There is nothing more profoundly tragic and sad than when a member of the ONE Championship family, current or past, passes away. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Yang Jian Bing. We will work closely with the family and offer all the support they need in any way we can during this very difficult time. I want to thank all sports fans around the world for their concern, thoughts, and prayers. At this time, we appreciate everyone respecting the Yang family's privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved son and brother.” Cui said.

The change to the new system was met with positive responses from the athletes and the MMA community in general. 

You can see the weight classes in ONE Championship below.

• Atomweight: 115 lbs (52 KG)
• Strawweight: 125 lbs (56.7 KG)
• Flyweight: 135 lbs (61.2 KG)
• Bantamweight: 145 lbs (65.8 KG)
• Featherweight: 155 lbs (70.3 KG)
• Lightweight: 170 lbs (77.1 KG)
• Welterweight: 185 lbs (83.9 KG)
• Middleweight: 205 lbs (93 KG)
• Light Heavyweight: 225 lbs (102.1 KG)
• Heavyweight: 265 lbs (120.2 KG)

Atomweight Weight Class in ONE Championship

ONE Championship is one of the few MMA promotions that make use of the Atomweight category. The promotion has put in great efforts to promote the weight class. They even held the ONE Women’s Atomweight Grand Prix which saw eight women compete in a single-elimination tournament.

Angela Lee was crowned the inaugural ONE Atomweight World Champion on May 6, 2016, when she defeated Mei Yamaguchi at ONE: Ascent to Power. Angela went on to have four successful title defenses. ONE Championship also has Atomweight titles in Kickboxing and Muay-Thai as well.

Kai Ting Chuang was the inaugural ONE Atomweight Kickboxing champion. She won the title in 2018 but was soon dethroned by Stamp Fairtex. Janet Todd defeated Stamp to become the third ONE Championship Atomweight Kickboxing champion. In Muay-Thai, the Atomweight Title is currently being held by Allycia Hellen Rodrigues.

What are your thoughts on the ONE Championship weight classes? Let us know in the comment section of the article below.

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