|2
|2
|[[Yoshiki Takei]]
|[[Yoshiki Takei]]
|11–0 (9 KO)
| (9 KO)
|
|[[World Boxing Organization|WBO]]
|-
|-
|3
|3
Weight class in combat sports
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 gloved world title fight in this division was fought between George Dixon and Nunc Wallace on June 27, 1890, with Dixon winning and thus becoming the inaugural world bantamweight champion. At the time, the limit for this weight class was 110 pounds. In 1910, however, the British settled on a limit of 118.[2]
From 2018 to 2019, an eight-man tournament called the World Boxing Super Series was held to determine the best bantamweight in the world. The tournament was won by Naoya Inoue, who defeated Nonito Donaire in the final.
On December 13, 2022, Naoya Inoue became the first undisputed champion of the division in the four-belt era.
Current world champions
[edit]
Current The Ring world rankings
[edit]
As of August 18, 2025.[3]
Keys:
- C Current The Ring world champion
Longest reigning world bantamweight champions
[edit]
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. | Naoya Inoue | 4 years, 7 months, 13 days | WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO | 8 | 7 | [12] |
| 9. | Eder Jofre | 4 years, 6 months | NBA, WBA, WBC | 8 | 8 | [13] |
| 10. | Manuel Ortiz | 4 years, 4 months, 29 days | World | 15 | 11 | [14] |
- Active Title Reign
- Reign has ended
Pan American Champions
[edit]
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).
Bare-knuckle boxing
[edit]
The bantamweight division limit generally differs among bare-knuckle boxing promotions:
- In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the bantamweight division has an upper limit of 135 lb (61 kg).
- In BKB, the bantamweight division has an upper limit of 73 kg (161 lb).
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 July 2025.
| Organization | Reign began | Champion | Record | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | ||||
| UFC | September
14th, 2024 |
Merab Dvalishvili | 20–4 (3KO 2SUB) | 2 |
| Bellator | May 7, 2021 | Sergio Pettis[15] | 22–5 (4KO 4SUB) | 1 |
| Rizin FF | N/A |  |
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 |
| KSW | January 25, 2025 | Sebastian Przybysz | 14–4–1 (5KO 5SUB) | 1 |
| 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 | January 20, 2024 | Raquel Pennington | 16–8 (1KO 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.
