Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports and weightlifting. For boxing, the range is above 115 lb (52.2 kg) and up to 118 lb (53.5 kg). In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between 53 and 55 kilograms (117 and 121 lb). In MMA, bantamweight is 126–135 lb (57.2–61.2 kg).
The name for the class is derived from bantam chickens. [1] Brazilian jiu-jitsu has an equivalent Rooster weight.
The first title fight with gloves was between Chappie Moran and Ray Lewis in 1889. At that time, the limit for this weight class was 110 pounds. In 1910, however, the British settled on a limit of 118. [2]
On December 13, 2022, Naoya Inoue became the first undisputed champion of the division in the four belt era.
Sanctioning body | Reign began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
WBA | April 8, 2023 | Takuma Inoue | 19–1 (5 KO) | 1 |
WBC | February 24, 2024 | Junto Nakatani | 27–0 (20 KO) | 0 |
IBF | August 12, 2023 | Emmanuel Rodríguez | 22–2–0–1 (13 KO) | 0 |
WBO | May 13, 2023 | Jason Moloney | 27–2 (19 KO) | 1 |
As of January 5, 2024. [3]
Keys:
Rank | Name | Record | Title(s) |
---|---|---|---|
C | vacant | ||
1 | Jason Moloney | 26–2 (19 KO) | WBO |
2 | Emmanuel Rodríguez | 22–2–0–1 (13 KO) | IBF |
3 | Alexandro Santiago | 28–3–5 (14 KO) | WBC |
4 | Vincent Astrolabio | 19–4 (14 KO) | |
5 | Nonito Donaire | 42–8 (28 KO) | |
6 | Paul Butler | 36–3 (17 KO) | |
7 | Ryosuke Nishida | 8–0 (1 KO) | |
8 | Takuma Inoue | 18–1 (4 KO) | WBA |
9 | David Cuellar | 25–0 (17 KO) | |
10 | 21–2–1 (19 KO) |
Below is a list of longest reigning bantamweight 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. | Anselmo Moreno | 6 years, 3 months, 26 days | WBA | 12 | 11 | [4] |
2. | Veeraphol Sahaprom | 6 years, 3 months, 17 days | WBC | 14 | 11 | [5] |
3. | Orlando Canizales | 6 years, 3 months, 16 days | IBF | 16 | 15 | [6] |
4. | Shinsuke Yamanaka | 5 years, 9 months, 9 days | WBC | 12 | 11 | [7] |
5. | Tim Austin | 5 years, 6 months, 26 days | IBF | 9 | 9 | [8] |
6. | Hozumi Hasegawa | 5 years, 14 days | WBC | 10 | 10 | [9] |
7. | Panama Al Brown | 4 years, 9 months, 28 days | NYSAC, NBA, IBU | 10 | 8 | [10] [11] |
8. | Eder Jofre | 4 years, 6 months | NBA, WBA, WBC | 8 | 8 | [12] |
9. | Manuel Ortiz | 4 years, 4 months, 29 days | World | 15 | 11 | [13] |
Only one boxer has ever held the Olympic and World Amateur bantamweight titles simultaneously, Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba, who managed the feat twice in 2001 and 2005.
In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between 53 kg (116 lb) and 55 kg (120 lb). However, some governing bodies have slightly different classes. For example, the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Bantamweight division (professional and amateur) is 117.1 lbs.–122 lbs. or 53.22 kg–55.45 kg.
In ONE Championship, the bantamweight division limit is 65.8 kg (145 lb).
The bantamweight division limit generally differs among bare-knuckle boxing promotions:
In International Lethwei Federation Japan, the bantamweight division is up to 60 kg (130 lb). In International Lethwei Federation Japan, Yuta Hamamoto is the Bantamweight Champion.
The World Lethwei Championship recognizes the bantamweight division with an upper limit of 54 kg (119 lb). In World Lethwei Championship, Souris Manfredi is the Bantamweight Champion.
In MMA, bantamweight is usually 126–135 pounds (57.2–61.2 kg). In ONE Championship, the bantamweight division limit is 65.8 kg (145 lb). In Shooto, the limit is 56 kg (123.4 lb).
These tables were last updated in May 2023.
Organization | Reign began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
Men | ||||
UFC | Aug 19, 2023 | Sean O’Malley [14] | 18–1 (12KO 1SUB) | 1 |
Bellator | May 7, 2021 | Sergio Pettis [15] | 22–5 (4KO 4SUB) | 1 |
Rizin FF | N/A | Vacant | N/A | N/A |
ONE Championship | February, 2023 | Fabrício Andrade< [16] | 9-2 (1) (5KO 2SUB 1NC) | 0 |
AMC Fight Nights | October 14, 2022 | Sabit Zhusupov | 15-3 (1) (6KO 3SUB 1NC) | 0 |
Cage Warriors | October 7, 2022 | Michele Martignoni | 8–1 (2) (2KO 3SUB 2NC) | 0 |
ACA | March 26, 2022 | Oleg Borisov | 25–6 (12KO 1SUB) | 0 |
Brave CF | November 11, 2022 | Brad Katona | 12–2 (1KO 3SUB) | 1 |
Legacy Fighting Alliance | October 14, 2022 | Muin Gafurov | 18-4 (10KO 7SUB) | 0 |
Women | ||||
UFC | July 30, 2022 | Amanda Nunes | 22–5 (13KO 4SUB) | 0 |
Invicta FC | January 18, 2023 | Talita Bernardo | 10-4 (6SUB) | 0 |
In Muay Thai, bantamweight is 115–118 pounds (52.2-53.5 kg). A notable Muai Thai bantamweight fighter is Randy Thong Phoun Phim.
Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight.
Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports and weightlifting. For boxing, the range is above 115 lb (52.2 kg) and up to 118 lb (53.5 kg). In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between 53 and 55 kilograms (117 and 121 lb). In MMA, bantamweight is 126–135 lb (57.2–61.2 kg).
The name for the class is derived from bantam chickens. [1] Brazilian jiu-jitsu has an equivalent Rooster weight.
The first title fight with gloves was between Chappie Moran and Ray Lewis in 1889. At that time, the limit for this weight class was 110 pounds. In 1910, however, the British settled on a limit of 118. [2]
On December 13, 2022, Naoya Inoue became the first undisputed champion of the division in the four belt era.
Sanctioning body | Reign began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
WBA | April 8, 2023 | Takuma Inoue | 19–1 (5 KO) | 1 |
WBC | February 24, 2024 | Junto Nakatani | 27–0 (20 KO) | 0 |
IBF | August 12, 2023 | Emmanuel Rodríguez | 22–2–0–1 (13 KO) | 0 |
WBO | May 13, 2023 | Jason Moloney | 27–2 (19 KO) | 1 |
As of January 5, 2024. [3]
Keys:
Rank | Name | Record | Title(s) |
---|---|---|---|
C | vacant | ||
1 | Jason Moloney | 26–2 (19 KO) | WBO |
2 | Emmanuel Rodríguez | 22–2–0–1 (13 KO) | IBF |
3 | Alexandro Santiago | 28–3–5 (14 KO) | WBC |
4 | Vincent Astrolabio | 19–4 (14 KO) | |
5 | Nonito Donaire | 42–8 (28 KO) | |
6 | Paul Butler | 36–3 (17 KO) | |
7 | Ryosuke Nishida | 8–0 (1 KO) | |
8 | Takuma Inoue | 18–1 (4 KO) | WBA |
9 | David Cuellar | 25–0 (17 KO) | |
10 | 21–2–1 (19 KO) |
Below is a list of longest reigning bantamweight 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. | Anselmo Moreno | 6 years, 3 months, 26 days | WBA | 12 | 11 | [4] |
2. | Veeraphol Sahaprom | 6 years, 3 months, 17 days | WBC | 14 | 11 | [5] |
3. | Orlando Canizales | 6 years, 3 months, 16 days | IBF | 16 | 15 | [6] |
4. | Shinsuke Yamanaka | 5 years, 9 months, 9 days | WBC | 12 | 11 | [7] |
5. | Tim Austin | 5 years, 6 months, 26 days | IBF | 9 | 9 | [8] |
6. | Hozumi Hasegawa | 5 years, 14 days | WBC | 10 | 10 | [9] |
7. | Panama Al Brown | 4 years, 9 months, 28 days | NYSAC, NBA, IBU | 10 | 8 | [10] [11] |
8. | Eder Jofre | 4 years, 6 months | NBA, WBA, WBC | 8 | 8 | [12] |
9. | Manuel Ortiz | 4 years, 4 months, 29 days | World | 15 | 11 | [13] |
Only one boxer has ever held the Olympic and World Amateur bantamweight titles simultaneously, Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba, who managed the feat twice in 2001 and 2005.
In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between 53 kg (116 lb) and 55 kg (120 lb). However, some governing bodies have slightly different classes. For example, the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Bantamweight division (professional and amateur) is 117.1 lbs.–122 lbs. or 53.22 kg–55.45 kg.
In ONE Championship, the bantamweight division limit is 65.8 kg (145 lb).
The bantamweight division limit generally differs among bare-knuckle boxing promotions:
In International Lethwei Federation Japan, the bantamweight division is up to 60 kg (130 lb). In International Lethwei Federation Japan, Yuta Hamamoto is the Bantamweight Champion.
The World Lethwei Championship recognizes the bantamweight division with an upper limit of 54 kg (119 lb). In World Lethwei Championship, Souris Manfredi is the Bantamweight Champion.
In MMA, bantamweight is usually 126–135 pounds (57.2–61.2 kg). In ONE Championship, the bantamweight division limit is 65.8 kg (145 lb). In Shooto, the limit is 56 kg (123.4 lb).
These tables were last updated in May 2023.
Organization | Reign began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
Men | ||||
UFC | Aug 19, 2023 | Sean O’Malley [14] | 18–1 (12KO 1SUB) | 1 |
Bellator | May 7, 2021 | Sergio Pettis [15] | 22–5 (4KO 4SUB) | 1 |
Rizin FF | N/A | Vacant | N/A | N/A |
ONE Championship | February, 2023 | Fabrício Andrade< [16] | 9-2 (1) (5KO 2SUB 1NC) | 0 |
AMC Fight Nights | October 14, 2022 | Sabit Zhusupov | 15-3 (1) (6KO 3SUB 1NC) | 0 |
Cage Warriors | October 7, 2022 | Michele Martignoni | 8–1 (2) (2KO 3SUB 2NC) | 0 |
ACA | March 26, 2022 | Oleg Borisov | 25–6 (12KO 1SUB) | 0 |
Brave CF | November 11, 2022 | Brad Katona | 12–2 (1KO 3SUB) | 1 |
Legacy Fighting Alliance | October 14, 2022 | Muin Gafurov | 18-4 (10KO 7SUB) | 0 |
Women | ||||
UFC | July 30, 2022 | Amanda Nunes | 22–5 (13KO 4SUB) | 0 |
Invicta FC | January 18, 2023 | Talita Bernardo | 10-4 (6SUB) | 0 |
In Muay Thai, bantamweight is 115–118 pounds (52.2-53.5 kg). A notable Muai Thai bantamweight fighter is Randy Thong Phoun Phim.
Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight.