Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art renowned for its emphasis on grappling and ground fighting. If you’re considering competing in BJJ, it’s important to know what weight division you are in. Each BJJ federation, like NAGA and IBJJF, runs its own tournaments with slightly different rules and weight categories so that competition is fair, safe, and balanced among the fighters.
It’s helpful to know what your weight or target weight for a tournament is because fluctuations might drop you into different classes, which could impact how you train. Knowing your weight class can help you make informed decisions about diet, training, and competition tactics.
Why are there Different Weight Classes in BJJ:
The core rules of BJJ competitions are the same, no matter your weight class. There are the same legal and illegal moves, scoring system, and conduct. Some competitions have slight variations in which techniques certain age groups or belt levels can use, but these are not specific to weight classes.
Weight classes level the playing field by matching competitors against others of similar physical size and weight. This fairness is crucial in a sport where leverage, weight distribution, and physical control play significant roles in how effectively someone can fight. They also reduce the risk of injuries since larger weight discrepancies can lead to more forceful impacts and greater strain during grappling exchanges. You can imagine how having a much heavier opponent mounting and smaller, weaker opponent increases the likelihood of injury.
Having different weight classes also adds another element of tactical planning to the competition. Fighters who can move between cruiserweight and middleweight depending on how they train and diet can develop different strategies based on which class they’re going to compete in. A lighter class might focus more on speed and agility, while heavier classes might leverage strength and power.
Weight Classes in BJJ
North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Weight Classes
NAGA is one of the oldest tournament organizers in the grappling world. They run regular gi and no gi BJJ tournaments all across the USA and Europe, offering several different weight classes for men, women, and teenage competitors.
NAGA Age Categories
- Children (13 years of age and under)
- Teens (14-17 years of age)
- Adult (18-29 years of age)
- Master (30-39 years of age)
- Director (40-49 years of age)
- Executive (50 years of age and older)
Children (13 & under) Weight Classes
- 39.9 lbs. & under
- 40-49.9 lbs.
- 50-59.9 lbs.
- 60-69.9 lbs.
- 70-79.9 lbs.
- 80-89.9 lbs.
- 90-99.9 lbs.
- 100-109.9 lbs.
- 110-124.9 lbs.
- 125-139.9 lbs.
- 140-154.9 lbs.
- 155-169.9 lbs.
- 170 lbs. & over (may need to compete with teens)
Europe Tournament Weight Classes
- 19.9 Kg & under
- 20-24.9 Kg
- 25-29.9 Kg
- 30-34.9 Kg
- 35-39.9 Kg
- 40-44.9 Kg
- 45-49.9 Kg
- 50-59.9 Kg
- 60-69.9 Kg
- 70-79.9 Kg
- 80 Kg & 0ver (may need to compete with teens)
Male Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes
| Weight Class | Range |
| Flyweight | 129.9 lbs. & under |
| Bantamweight | 130-139.9 lbs. |
| Featherweight | 140-149.9 lbs. |
| Lightweight | 150-159.9 lbs. |
| Welterweight | 160-169.9 lbs. |
| Middleweight | 170-179.9 lbs. |
| Light-Heavyweight | 180-189.9 lbs. |
| Cruiserweight | 190-199.9 lbs. |
| Heavyweight | 200-224.9 lbs. |
| Super-Heavyweight | 225-149.9 lbs. |
| Ultra-Heavyweight | 250 lbs. & over |
Europe Tournament Weight Classes
| Weight Class | Range |
| Flyweight | 59.9 Kg & under |
| Bantamweight | 60-64.9 Kg |
| Featherweight | 65-69.9 Kg |
| Lightweight | 70-74.9 Kg |
| Welterweight | 75-79.9 Kg |
| Middleweight | 80-84.9 Kg |
| Cruiserweight | 85-89.9 Kg |
| Heavyweight | 90-99.9 Kg |
| Super-Heavyweight | 100-114.9 Kg |
| Ultra-Heavyweight | 115 Kg & over |
Female Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes
| Weight Class | Range |
| Sub-atomic Weight | 99.9 lbs. & under |
| Atomweight | 100-109.9 lbs. |
| Strawweight | 110-119.9 lbs. |
| Flyweight | 120-129.9 lbs. |
| Bantamweight | 130-139.9 lbs. |
| Featherweight | 140-149.9 lbs. |
| Lightweight | 150-159.9 lbs. |
| Welterweight | 160-169.9 lbs. |
| Middleweight | 170-179.9 lbs. |
| Light-Heavyweight | 180-189.9 lbs. |
| Cruiserweight | 190 – 199.9 lbs. |
| Heavyweight | 200 lbs. & over |
Europe Tournament Weight Classes
| Weight Class | Range |
| Sub-atomic Weight | 44.9 Kg & under |
| Atomweight | 45-49.9 Kg |
| Strawweight | 50-54.9 Kg |
| Flyweight | 55-59.9 Kg |
| Bantamweight | 60-64.9 Kg |
| Featherweight | 65-699.9 Kg |
| Lightweight | 70-74.9 Kg |
| Welterweight | 75-79.9 Kg |
| Middleweight | 80-84.9 Kg |
| Cruiserweight | 85-89.9 Kg |
| Heavyweight | 90 Kg & over |
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Weight Classes
The IBJJF is the biggest organizer of BJJ tournaments in the world. And even though they run tournaments in different parts of the globe, IBJJF weight classes are generally the same regardless of location or competition.
Male Adult and Master Divisions
| Weight Class | Gi | No-gi |
| Rooster | 127 lbs (57.5 kg) | 122.6 lbs (55.5 kg) |
| Light Feather | 141.6 lbs (64 kg) | 136 lbs (61.5 kg) |
| Feather | 154.6 lbs (70 kg) | 149 lbs (67.5 kg) |
| Light | 168 lbs (76kg) | 162.6 lbs (73.5 kg) |
| Middle | 181.6 lbs (82.3 kg) | 175.6 lbs (79.5 kg) |
| Middle Heavy | 195 lbs (88.3 kg) | 188.6 lbs (85.5 kg) |
| Heavy | 208 lbs (94.3 kg) | 202 lbs (91.5 kg) |
| Super Heavy | 222 lbs (100.5 kg) | 215 lbs (97.5 kg) |
| Ultra Heavy | No max | No max |
Female Adult and Master Divisions
| Weight Class | Gi | No-gi |
| Rooster | 107 lbs (48.5 kg) | 103 lbs (46.5 kg) |
| Light Feather | 118 lbs (53.5 kg) | 114 lbs (51.5 kg) |
| Feather | 129 lbs (58.5 kg) | 125 lbs (56.5 kg) |
| Light | 141.6 lbs (64 kg) | 136 lbs (61.5 kg) |
| Middle | 152.6 lbs (69 kg) | 147 lbs (66.5 kg) |
| Middle Heavy | 163.6 lbs (74 kg) | 158 lbs (71.5 kg) |
| Heavy | 175 lbs (79.3 kg) | 169 lbs (76.5 kg) |
| Super Heavy | No max | No max |
Male Juvenile Divisions
| Weight Class | Gi | No-gi |
| Rooster | 118 lbs (53.5 kg) | 114 lbs (51.5 kg) |
| Light Feather | 129 lbs (58.5 kg) | 125 lbs (56.5 kg) |
| Feather | 141.6 lbs (64 kg) | 136 lbs (61.5 kg) |
| Light | 152.6 lbs (69 kg) | 147 lbs (66.5 kg) |
| Middle | 163.6 lbs (74 kg) | 158 lbs (71.5 kg) |
| Middle Heavy | 175 lbs (79.3 kg) | 169 lbs (76.5 kg) |
| Heavy | 186 lbs (84.3 kg) | 180 lbs (81.5 kg) |
| Super Heavy | 197 lbs (89.3 kg) | 191 lbs (86.5 kg) |
| Ultra Heavy | No max | No max |
Female Juvenile Divisions
| Weight Class | Gi | No-gi |
| Rooster | 98 lbs (44.3 kg) | 94 lbs (42.5 kg) |
| Light Feather | 106.6 lbs (48.3 kg) | 103 lbs (46.5 kg) |
| Feather | 116 lbs (52.5 kg) | 111.6 lbs (50.5 kg) |
| Light | 125 lbs (56.5 kg) | 120.6 lbs (54.5 kg) |
| Middle | 133.6 lbs (60.5 kg) | 129 lbs (58.5 kg) |
| Middle Heavy | 143.6 lbs (65 kg) | 138 lbs (62.5 kg) |
| Heavy | 152 lbs (69 kg) | 147 lbs (66.5 kg) |
| Super Heavy | No max | No max |
The Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) Weight Classes
SJJIF hosts a large number of BJJ tournaments in Brazil, the USA, and Asia. Like IBJJJF and NAGA tournaments, SJJIF events include different weight classes for adult male, female, and juvenile competitors both in the gi and in no-gi.
Male Adult, Master, and Juvenile Divisions
| Weight Class | Adult Gi (18+) | Adult No-gi (18+) | Juvenile Gi (16-17) | Juvenile No-gi (16-17) |
| Rooster | 127.5 lbs (57.6 kg) | 123.5 lbs (56 kg) | ||
| Super Feather | 141 lbs (64 kg) | 137 lbs (62.1 kg) | 120 lbs (54.4 kg) | 116 lbs (52.6 kg) |
| Feather | 154 lbs (70 kg) | 149 lbs (67.5 kg) | 135 lbs (61.2kg) | 131 lbs (59.4 kg) |
| Light | 167.5 lbs (76 kg) | 162.6 lbs (73.5 kg) | 150 lbs (68 kg) | 146 lbs (66.2 kg) |
| Middle | 181 lbs (82.1 kg) | 175.6lbs (79.5 kg) | 165 lbs (74.8 kg) | 161 lbs (73 kg) |
| Middle Heavy | 194.5 lbs (88.2 kg) | 188.6lbs (85.5 kg) | 180 lbs (81.6 kg) | 176 lbs (79.8 kg) |
| Heavy | 207.5 lbs (94.1 kg) | 202lbs (91.5 kg) | 195 lbs (88.5 kg) | 191 lbs (86.6 kg) |
| Super Heavy | 221 lbs (100.2 kg) | 215lbs (97.5 kg) | +195 lbs (88.5 kg) | +191 lbs (86.6 kg) |
| Ultra Heavy | No max | No max |
Female Adult, Master and Juvenile Divisions
Female Juvenile Divisions
| Weight Class | Adult Gi | Adult No-gi | Juvenile Gi (16-17) | Juvenile No-gi (16-17) |
| Rooster | 107 lbs (48.5 kg) | 103 lbs (46.7 kg) | 105 lbs (47.6 kg) | 101 lbs (45.8 kg) |
| Super Feather | 120 lbs (54.4 kg) | 116 lbs (52.6 kg) | 115 lbs (52.2 kg) | 111 lbs (50.3 kg) |
| Feather | 135 lbs (61.2 kg) | 131 lbs (59.4 kg) | 130 lbs (59 kg) | 126 lbs (57.2 kg) |
| Light | 150 lbs (68 kg) | 146 lbs (66.2 kg) | 145 lbs (65.8 kg) | 141 lbs (64 kg) |
| Middle | 165 lbs (74.8 kg) | 161 lbs (73 kg) | 160 lbs (72.6 kg) | 156 lbs (70.8 kg) |
| Medium Heavy | 180 lbs (81.6 kg) | 177 lbs (80.3 kg) | 160 lbs (72.6 kg) | 156 lbs (70.8 kg) |
| Heavy | +180 lbs (81.6] kg) | 177 lbs (80.3 kg) |
Conclusion
Understanding your weight class can influence every aspect of competition, from how you train and diet to what strategy you take with you onto the mat. Organizations like NAGA and the IBJJF have weight divisions in place so that competitors can fight fairly and safely, promoting a competitive environment that respects the physical differences among athletes. It also adds a fascinating layer of tactical depth to the sport, where fighters are always adjusting their strategies to give them the best chance at victory when they enter into a match.
