Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports.
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing above 49 kg (108 lb) and up to 51 kg (112 lb).[1]
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 Victor Perez, 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.
Main article: List of world flyweight boxing champions |
Sanctioning Body | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
WBA | February 24, 2018 | Artem Dalakian | 21–0 (15 KO) | 5 |
WBC | December 20, 2019 | Julio Cesar Martinez | 18–1–0–2 (14 KO) | 4 |
IBF | April 30, 2021 | Sunny Edwards | 18–0 (4 KO) | 1 |
WBO | November 6, 2020 | Junto Nakatani | 23-0 (18 KO) | 2 |
As of June 27, 2022.[3]
Keys:
Rank | Name | Record | Title(s) |
---|---|---|---|
C | vacant | ||
1 | Junto Nakatani | 23–0 (18 KO) | WBO |
2 | Julio Cesar Martinez | 18–2–0–2 (14 KO) | WBC |
3 | Sunny Edwards | 18–0 (4 KO) | IBF |
4 | Artem Dalakian | 21–0 (15 KO) | WBA |
5 | Ricardo Rafael Sandoval | 20–1 (15 KO) | |
6 | Moruti Mthalane | 39–3 (26 KO) | |
7 | McWilliams Arroyo | 21–4–0–1 (16 KO) | |
8 | Angel Ayala Lardizabal | 14–0 (6 KO) | |
9 | Jackson Chauke | 20–1–2 (14 KO) | |
10 | Felix Alvarado | 38–2 (33 KO) |
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. | Omar Andres Narvaez | 7 years, 10 months | WBO | 16 | 15 | [4] |
2. | Jimmy Wilde | 7 years, 4 months, 4 days | World | 3 | 3 | [5] |
3. | Pongsaklek Wonjongkam | 6 years, 4 months, 16 days | WBC | 17 | 16 | [6] |
4. | Irene Pacheco | 5 years, 8 months, 6 days | IBF | 6 | 6 | [7] |
5. | Pascual Perez | 5 years, 4 months, 20 days | World | 9 | 9 | [8][9] |
6. | Yuri Arbachakov | 5 years, 4 months, 19 days | WBC | 9 | 9 | [10] |
7. | Jackie Paterson | 4 years, 9 months, 4 days | NBA | 1 | 1 | [11] |
8. | Artem Dalakian | 4 years, 4 months and 3 days | WBA | 5 | 5 | [12] |
9. | Miguel Canto | 4 years, 2 months, 10 days | WBC | 14 | 11 | [13] |
10. | Moruti Mthalane | 4 years, 1 month, 23 days | IBF | 4 | 4 | [14] |
11. | Sot Chitalada | 3 years, 9 months, 16 days | WBC | 6 | 5 | [15] |
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 lb. – 117 lb. or 50.95 kg – 53.18 kg.
In ONE Championship, the flyweight division is up to 61.2 kg (135 lb).
The flyweight division in mixed martial arts – as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission combat sports doctrine[16] and by the Association of Boxing Commissions[17] – groups together all competitors 125 lb (57 kg) and below. It sits between Strawweight (106 lb-115 lb) and Bantamweight (126 lb-135lb).
The flyweight division in mixed martial arts refers to a number of different weight classes:
On February 3, 2009, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) announced they would be adding a flyweight division set at 125 lb,[19] 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.[20] The UFC flyweight division was officially announced in 2011;[21] 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.[22]
These tables are not always up to date. Last updated on June 12, 2022.
Men:
Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
UFC | January 22, 2022 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 21-2-1 (9KO 8SUB) | 0 |
ONE Championship | January 25, 2019 | Adriano Moraes | 20-3 (4KO 10SUB) | 2 |
Fight Nights Global | N/A | ![]() |
N/A | N/A |
ACA | February 21, 2020 | Azamat Kerefov | 13-0 (3KO 1SUB) | 0 |
CWFC | June 29, 2019 | Samir Faiddine | 11-6 (3KO 3SUB) | 0 |
Legacy Fighting Alliance | July 24, 2020 | Jimmy Flick | 14-5 (12SUB) | 0 |
Women:
Organization | Reign Began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
UFC | December 8, 2018 | Valentina Shevchenko | 23-3 (8KO 7SUB) | 7 |
Bellator MMA | April 23, 2022 | Liz Carmouche | 17-7 (8KO 3SUB) | 0 |
Invicta FC | May 21, 2021 | Karina Rodríguez | 10-4 (3KO 1SUB) | 1 |
KSW | N/A | ![]() |
N/A | N/A |
Legacy Fighting Alliance | December 10, 2021 | Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels | 5-0 (3KO 2SUB) | 0 |