Middleweight (MMA)

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The middleweight division in mixed martial arts can refer to a number of different weight classes:

UFC's middleweight division, which groups competitors within 171 to 185 lb (78 to 84 kg)
PRIDE FC's middleweight division, which limits competitors to 205 lb (93 kg)
K-1 HERO's middleweight division, which limits competitors to 155 lb (70 kg)^[1]
Shooto's middleweight class, which refers to competitors between 155 and 167 lb (70 and 76 kg)

[edit] Ambiguity and clarification

For the sake of uniformity, many mixed martial arts websites, such as MMAWeekly, refer to competitors between 181 and 187 lb as middleweights. This encompasses the Pancrase middleweight division (181 lb / 82 kg); the PRIDE welterweight division (183 lb / 83 kg), and Shooto's light heavyweight division of the same weight limit; the UFC middleweight division (185 lb / 84 kg); and the K-1 HERO's light heavyweight division (187 lb / 85 kg).

The middleweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, is 185 lb (84 kg).^[2]

[edit] Notable middleweights in MMA

The listed fighters below are subjected to weight limits between 181 and 187 lb (82 and 85 kg):

Anderson Silva, UFC Middleweight Champion, and Cage Rage World Middleweight Champion
Dan Henderson, PRIDE Welterweight (183-pound) champion
Yoshihiro Akiyama, K-1 HERO's 187-pound champion
Kazushi Sakuraba, PRIDE legend, and K-1 veteran
Nathan Marquardt, seven-time King of Pancrase, UFC middleweight contender
Shikou Yamashita, Shooto 183-pound champion
Matt Lindland, UFC, IFL, and WFA veteran
Rich Franklin, former UFC Middleweight Champion
Kazuo Misaki, PRIDE 183-pound Grand Prix Champion
Paulo Filho, PRIDE 183-pound contender
Kendall Grove, winner of The Ultimate Fighter 3 contest
Travis Lutter, winner of The Ultimate Fighter 4 contest
Evan Tanner, former UFC Middleweight Champion