Flyweight

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For other uses, see Flyweight (disambiguation).

Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports.

Boxing

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Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing up to and including 51 kg (112 lb) for a title fight.[1]

Professional boxing

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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, Salvatore Burruni, 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, Omar Andrés Narváez, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Amnat Ruenroeng, Román González, Donnie Nietes, Nicola Adams.

World champions

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Main article: List of world flyweight boxing champions
Sanctioning Body Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
WBA July 30, 2025 Ricardo Sandoval 27–2 (18 KO) 0
WBC July 30, 2025 Ricardo Sandoval 27–2 (18 KO) 0
IBF March 29, 2025 Masamichi Yabuki 18–4 (17 KO) 0
WBO July 20, 2024 Anthony Olascuaga 9–1 (6 KO) 2

The Ring world rankings

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As of August 8, 2025[3]

Keys:

 C The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record Title(s)
C vacant
1 Ricardo Sandoval 27–2 (18 KO) WBC, WBA
2 Kenshiro Teraji 25–2 (16 KO)
3 Seigo Yuri Akui 21–3–1 (11 KO)
4 Masamichi Yabuki 18–4 (17 KO) IBF
5 Galal Yafai 9–0–0–1 (7 KO)
6 Ángel Ayala 18–1 (8 KO)
7 Felix Alvarado 42–4 (35 KO)
8 Anthony Olascuaga 9–1 (6 KO) WBO
9 Tobias Reyes 17–1–1 (16 KO)
10 Jukiya Iimura 9–1 (2 KO)

Longest reigning world flyweight champions

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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. Artem Dalakian 5 years, 10 months, 27 days WBA 5 5 [7]
3. Irene Pacheco 5 years, 8 months, 6 days IBF 6 6 [8]
6. Pascual Perez 5 years, 4 months, 20 days World 9 9 [9][10]
7. Yuri Arbachakov 5 years, 4 months, 19 days WBC 9 9 [11]
8. Jackie Paterson 4 years, 9 months, 4 days NBA 1 1 [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

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Olympic Champions

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Men's
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Women's
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Pan American Champions

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Men's
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Kickboxing

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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).

Bare-knuckle boxing

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The limit for flyweight generally differs among promotions in bare knuckle boxing:

  • In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the flyweight division has an upper limit of 125 lb (57 kg).
  • In BKB™, the flyweight division has an upper limit of 70 kg (154 lb).

Mixed martial arts

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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:

  • The UFC's flyweight division, which groups competitors within 116 to 125 lb (53 to 57 kg)
  • The Pancrase light flyweight division with an upper limit of 54 kg (119 lb)
  • The Shooto flyweight division with an upper limit of 114.6 lb (52 kg) [18]
  • The ONE Championship's flyweight division, with upper limit at 61.2 kg (134.9 lb)
  • The Road FC's flyweight division, with upper limit at 125 lb (57 kg)

Professional champions

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These tables were last updated in December of 2025.

  Active title reign
  Active title reign (interim)

Men:

Organization Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
UFC December 6, 2025 Myanmar Joshua Van 16-2-0 (8KO 2SUB) 0
ONE Championship March 23, 2025 Japan Yuya Wakamatsu 20-6-0 (14KO 0SUB) 1
Rizin FF N/A Vacant N/A N/A
ACA June 28, 2025 Russia Azamat Pshukov 14-3-0 (8KO 3SUB) 0
Brave CF November 7, 2025 United Kingdom Muhammad Mokaev 16-0-0 (3KO 7SUB) 0
CFFC September 27, 2024 Indonesia Bilal Hasan 7-0-0 (5KO 1SUB) 2
Cage Warriors December 6, 2025 France Nicolas Leblond 13-4-0 (3KO 6SUB) 0
Pancrase April 3, 2024 Japan Seiichiro Ito 18-4-0 (3KO 12SUB) 0
Jungle Fight March 22, 2023 Brazil Wagner Reis 9-4-0 (7KO 1SUB) 0
LFA March 22, 2025 Brazil Eduardo Henrique 15-2-0 (7KO 4SUB) 2
LFA February 7, 2025 Brazil Marcos Degli 13-3-0 (8KO 4SUB) 1
Oktagon MMA June 28, 2025 Kazakhstan Zhalgas Zhumagulov 18-9-0 (8KO 1SUB) 0
DEEP August 17, 2025 Japan Yutaro Muramoto 14-9-2 (5KO 2SUB) 0

Women:

Organization Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
UFC September 14, 2024 Kyrgyzstan Valentina Shevchenko 26–4–0 (1) (8KO 7SUB) 2
Invicta FC N/A Vacant N/A N/A
Deep Jewels May 8, 2022 Japan Rin Nakai 28-2 (10KO 12SUB) 0
Pancrase March 9, 2025 Japan Fumika Watanabe 3-1 (1KO 0SUB) 0
Jungle Fight March 26, 2023 Brazil Elora Dana 8-1 (1KO 5SUB) 2
LFA February 23, 2024 Canada Shannon Clark 7-1 (3KO 1SUB) 2

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Technical & Competition Rules – Effective from March 24, 2011" (PDF). INTERNATIONAL BOXING ASSOCIATION. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-12-16.
  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 8 August 2025.
  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: Artem DalakinSpence Jrl". Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Professional boxing record: Irene Pacheco". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Professional boxing record: Pascual Perez". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "Professional boxing record: Yuri Arbachakov". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Professional boxing record: Jackie Paterson". Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  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. Archived from the original on 2010-09-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
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