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 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.

Current world champions

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

Current The Ring world rankings

As of June 27, 2022.[3]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
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)

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. 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]

Amateur boxing

Olympic Champions

Pan American Champions

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 lb. – 117 lb. or 50.95 kg – 53.18 kg.

In ONE Championship, the flyweight division is up to 61.2 kg (135 lb).

Mixed Martial Arts

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:

Zuffa

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]

Professional champions

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 Vacant 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 Vacant N/A N/A
Legacy Fighting Alliance December 10, 2021 Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels 5-0 (3KO 2SUB) 0

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.aiba.org/documents/site1/Articles%20&%20Rules/technical_and_competition_rules_20111025.pdf Technical & Competition Rules, Appendix K AIBA
  2. ^ Mullan, Harry (1996). Boxing: The Definitive Illustrated Guide to World Boxing. London, England: Carlton Books. p. 186. ISBN 0-7858-0641-5.
  3. ^ "The Ring ratings: flyweight". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Professional boxing record: Omar Andres Narvaez". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Professional boxing record: Jimmy Wilde". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Professional boxing record: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Professional boxing record: Irene Pacheco". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Professional boxing record: Pascual Perez". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Professional boxing record: Yuri Arbachakov". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Professional boxing record: Jackie Paterson". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Professional boxing record: Artem DalakinSpence Jrl". Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Professional boxing record: Miguel Canto". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Professional boxing record: Moruti Mthalane". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Professional boxing record: Sot Chitalada". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  16. ^ "Nevada Revised Statutes: Chapter 467 - Unarmed Combat". leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
  17. ^ "Unified Rules of MMA". ABCBoxing.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  18. ^ Nelson, Chris (2010-07-19). "'The Way of Shooto 4' Quick Results". BloodyElbow.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  19. ^ "WEC's long-awaited 125-pound weight class likely to come in early 2010". 2009-08-07.
  20. ^ "Dana White announces merger between UFC and WEC". Las Vegas Sun. 2010-10-28.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ MMAjunkie UFC Champ Demetrious Johnson critical of striking. retrieved 25 September 2012

External links

Weight classes in mixed martial arts
Weight classes in boxing
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