Table of Contents
- 1. Difference Between Weight Classes of IBJJF and ADCC
- 2. Weight Categories of International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF)
- 2.1. Gi Weight Classes for Male Adults and Masters
- 2.2. No-Gi Weight Classes for Adult Males and Masters
- 2.3. Gi Female Weight Class for Adults and Masters
- 2.4. Female No-Gi Weight Classes for Adults and Masters
- 2.5. Juvenile Male Gi Weight Classes
- 2.6. Juvenile Male No-Gi Weight Classes
- 2.7. Juvenile Female Gi and No-Gi Weight Classes
- 3. Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Weight Categories
- 3.1. Weight Divisions of ADCC Trials and World Championship
- 3.2. Weight Divisions for ADCC Teams
- 3.3. Weight Classes for All other ADCC Tournaments
- 4. Takeaways
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a type of martial art that is watched and practiced worldwide. BJJ organizations arrange various tournaments in which fighters from all over the world participate and execute their grappling skills.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu allows a small-sized person to overcome a large-sized person. BJJ has a defense purpose in its origin. But during a competition between two fighters who are equally skilled, the weight category matters a lot.
Both the fighters who are competing must have their weight according to the weight categories. These weight categories also allow competitors to fight with their own-sized fighters and execute their maximum fighting abilities.
Well-known organizations that are working for the growth of BJJ are International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and Abu Dhabi Combat Club ADCC. Both IBJJF and ADCC have different weight categories for BJJ competitions.
Before fights of every division, the weight of all competitors is checked. Some tournaments give relaxation of some lbs while some do not. IBJJF does not allow any overweight over the mentioned specific category.
1. Difference Between Weight Classes of IBJJF and ADCC
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) divided its weight categories into nine classes (Rooster to Ultra Heavy) and one open-weight category. In Gi and No-Gi competitions, these nine weight categories are specified.
For male and female juveniles and male and female adults, these nine weight categories have specific weights. Juvenile, adult, and master. Their age divisions are also defined.
On the other hand, Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) has five weight classes and one open weight class for adult males World Championships. While for the female world championship, they have only two weight categories.
ADCC does not name its weight categories as IBJJF rather these weight categories are mentioned just on the basis of weight. Other ADCC tournaments also have their specified weight categories which are different from ADCC World weight classes.
2. Weight Categories of International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF)
IBJJF has classified its weight categories into nine classes from Rooster weight to Ultra Heavyweight. IBJJF also has two different groups Gi and No-Gi. Let's have a detailed look at IBJJF weight classes.
2.1. Gi Weight Classes for Male Adults and Masters
Adult male and masters Gi championships also have specifically established age divisions and weight divisions. Adult males must be 18 years or more. While to compete in the Masters' championship, the age must be 30 years or more.
| Weight Category | Minimum Weight | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster | No Limits | Under 57.5 kg (under 127 lbs) |
| Light-Feather | 57.5 kg (127 lbs) | 64 kg (141.6 lbs) |
| Feather | 64kg (141.6 lbs) | 70 kg (154.6 lbs) |
| Light | 70kg (154.6 lbs) | 76 kg (168 lbs) |
| Middle | 76 kg (168 lbs) | 82.3 kg (181.6 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy | 82.3 kg (181.6 lbs) | 88.3 kg (195 lbs) |
| Heavy | 88.3 kg (195 lbs) | 94.3 kg (208 lbs) |
| Super Heavy | 94.3 kg (208 lbs) | 100.5 kg (222 lbs) |
| Ultra Heavy | 100.5 kg (222 lbs) | No limits |
| Open Class | Open to all weight classes | Open to all Weight Classes |
2.2. No-Gi Weight Classes for Adult Males and Masters
| Weight Category | Minimum Weight | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster | No Limits | Under 55.6 kg (under 122.6 lbs) |
| Light Feather | 55.6 kg 61.7 kg (122 – 136 lbs) | 61.7 kg (136 lbs) |
| Feather | 61.7 kg (136 lbs) | 67.5 kg (149 lbs) |
| Light | 67.5 kg (149 lbs) | 73.5 kg (162.6 lbs) |
| Middle | 73.5 kg (162.6 lbs) | 79.6 kg (175.6 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy | 79.6 kg (175.6 lbs) | 85.5 kg (188.6 lbs) |
| Heavy | 85.5 kg (188.6 lbs) | 91.6kg (202 lbs) |
| Super Heavy | 91.6 kg (202 lbs) | 97.5 kg (215 lbs) |
| Ultra Heavy | Above 97.5 kg (215 lbs) | No Limits |
| Open Class | Open to all weight classes | Open to all Weight Classes |
2.3. Gi Female Weight Class for Adults and Masters
Adult females must be 18 years or more. While to compete in the Master's championship, the age must be 30 years or more.
| Weight Category | Minimum Weight | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster | No Limits | Under 48.5kg (under 107 lbs) |
| Light-Feather | 48.5kg (107 lbs) | 53.5 kg (118 lbs) |
| Feather | 53.5 (118 lbs) | 58.5 kg (129 lbs) |
| Light | 58.5 kg (129 lbs) | 64 kg (141.6 lbs) |
| Middle | 64kg (141.6 lbs) | 69 kg (152.6 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy | 69 kg (152.6 lbs) | 74 kg (163.6 lbs) |
| Heavy | 74 kg (163.6 lbs) | 79.3 kg (175 lbs) |
| Super Heavy | 79.3 (175 lbs) | No limits |
| Open Class | Open to all weight classes | Open to all Weight Classes |
2.4. Female No-Gi Weight Classes for Adults and Masters
| Weight Category | Minimum Weight | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster | No Limits | 46.7 (103 lbs) |
| Light Feather | 46.7 kg (103 lbs) | 51.7 kg (114 lbs) |
| Feather | 51.7 kg (114 lbs) | 56.7 kg (125 lbs) |
| Light | 56.7 kg (125 lbs) | 61.6 kg (136 lbs) |
| Middle | 61.6 kg (136 lbs) | 66.7 kg (147 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy | 66.7 kg (147 lbs) | 71.6 kg (158 lbs) |
| Heavy | 71.6 kg (158 lbs) | 76.6 kg (169 lbs) |
| Super Heavy | 76.6 kg (169 lbs) | No Limits |
| Open Class | Open to all weight classes | Open to all Weight Classes |
2.5. Juvenile Male Gi Weight Classes
| Weight Division | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|
| Rooster | 53.5 kg (118 lbs) |
| Light Feather | 58.51 kg (129 lbs) |
| Feather | 63.96 kg (141 lbs) |
| Light | 69.22 kg (152.6 lbs) |
| Middle | 74.21 kg (163.6 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy | 79.38 kg (175 lbs) |
| Heavy | 84.37 (186 lbs) |
| Super Heavy | 89.36 kg (197 lbs) |
| Ultra Heavy | Above 89.36 kg (above 197 lbs) |
| Open Class | Open to all Weight Classes (Check the rules of the tournament) |
2.6. Juvenile Male No-Gi Weight Classes
Male juvenile has two categories, Juvenile 1 and Juvenile 2. Both these categories depend on age. According to IBJJF rules, the male Juvenile 1 category starts from 16 years old and the male Juvenile 2 category starts from 17 years old. Weight categories for both male Juvenile 1 and Juvenile 2 in No-Gi are described below.
| Weight Division | Maximum Weight Juvenile 1 | Maximum Weight Juvenile 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster | 46.72 kg (103 lbs) | 51.71 kg (114 lbs) |
| Light-Feather | 51.71 kg (114 lbs) | 56.7 kg (125 lbs) |
| Feather | 56.7 kg (125 lbs) | 61.69 kg (136 lbs) |
| Light | 61.69 kg (136 lbs) | 66.68 kg (147 lbs) |
| Middle | 66.68 kg (147 lbs) | 71.67 kg (158 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy | 71.67 kg (158 lbs) | 76.66 kg (169 lbs) |
| Heavy | 76.66 kg (169 lbs) | 81.65 kg (180 lbs) |
| Super Heavy | 81.65 kg (180 lbs) | 86.64 kg (191 lbs) |
| Ultra Heavy | Above 81.65 kg (above 180 lbs) | Above 86.64 kg (above 191 lbs) |
| Open Class | Open to all weight classes (Check the rules of the tournament) | Open to all Weight Classes (Check the rules of the tournament) |
2.7. Juvenile Female Gi and No-Gi Weight Classes
| Weight Division | Maximum Weight (Gi) | Maximum Weight for Both Juvenile 1 and Juvenile 2 (No-Gi) |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster | 44.45 kg (98 lbs) | 42.64 kg (94 lbs) |
| Light-Feather | 48.35 kg (106.6 lbs) | 46.72 kg (103 lbs) |
| Feather | 52.62 (116.0 lbs) | 50.35 kg (111.6 lbs) |
| Light | 56.7 kg (125.0 lbs) | 54.7 kg (120.6 lbs) |
| Middle | 60.6 kg (133.6 lbs) | 58.51 kg (129 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy | 65.14 (143.6 lbs) | 62.6 kg (138 lbs) |
| Heavy | 68.95 kg (152.0 lbs) | 66.68 kg (147 lbs) |
| Super Heavy | Above 68.95 kg (above 152 lbs) | Above 66.68 kg (above 147 lbs) |
| Open Class | Open to all Weight Classes (Check the rules of the tournament) | Open to all Weight Classes (Check the rules of the tournament) |
3. Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Weight Categories
Abu Dhabi Combat Club has weight categories for adults and master championships. In ADCC, juvenile competitions are not organized. For ADCC Trials and World, Championship ADCC has separate categories. While all other ADCC tournaments have other weight categories. Let's have a detailed discussion on all ADCC categories.
3.1. Weight Divisions of ADCC Trials and World Championship
| Weight Categories for Males | Weight Categories for Females |
|---|---|
| +16 years | +16 years |
| -65.9 kg (-145.2 lbs) | -60.0 kg (-132.2 lbs) |
| -76.9 kg (-169.5 lbs) | +60.0 kg (+132.2 lbs) |
| -87.9 kg (-193.7 lbs) | |
| -98.9 kg (-218.0 lbs) | |
| +99 kg (+220.5 lbs) | |
| Absolute (Open) Class |
3.2. Weight Divisions for ADCC Teams
Note: “Only people with over 16 years of age and up can compete in Teams. In the Teams Competition, every team can join with up to 5 competitors per class in the Male division and up to 3 competitors per class in the FEMALE division”.
| Males | Females |
|---|---|
| -83 kg (-183 lbs) | -60 kg (-123.2 lbs) |
| +83 kg (+183 lbs) | -60 kg (-132.2 lbs) |
3.3. Weight Classes for All other ADCC Tournaments
In all other tournaments of ADCC, there are four categories in which competitors are divided. Besides categorizing competitors on the base of belts, these categories are according to the age and fighting experience of the competitors. These categories are further divided according to the age of competitors. Let's have a detailed view of categories (based on experience) and their weight divisions.
Categories for Males
| Category | Experience | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Professional | More than Five Years of Experience | Boys (15 years - 18 years) Adults (+18 years) Master 1 (+35 years) Master 2 (+40 years) Master 3 (+45 years) |
| Advance | More than 5 Years of Experience | Boys (15 years - 18 years) Adults (+18 years) Master 1 (+35 years) Master 2 (+40 years) Master 3 (+45 years) |
| Intermediate | From 2 to 4 Years of Experience | Boys (11 years -12 years) Boys (13 years - 14 years) Boys (15 years - 18 years) Adults (+18 years) Master 1 (+35 years) Master 2 (+40 years) Master 3 (+45 years) |
| Beginner | Less than 2 Years Experience in BJJ, Judo, Sambo, Wrestling. (7-8 years old and 9-10 years old boys and girls can compete together) |
Boys (7 years - 8 years) Boys (9 years -10 years) Boys (11 years -12 years) Boys (13 years - 14 years) Boys (15 years - 18 years) Adults (+18 years) Master 1 (+35 years) Master 2 (+40 years) Master 3 (+45 years) |
Categories for Females
| Category | Experience | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Professional | More than Five Years of Experience | Girls (15 years - 18 years) Adults (+18 years) Master 1 (+35 years) |
| Advance | More than 5 Years of Experience | Boys (15 years - 18 years) Adults (+18 years) Master 1 (+35 years) |
| Intermediate | From 2 to 4 Years of Experience | Girls (11 years -12 years) Girls (13 years - 14 years) Boys (15 years - 18 years) Adults (+18 years) Master 1 (+35 years) |
| Beginner | Less than 2 Years of Experience in BJJ, Judo, Sambo, Wrestling. (7-8 years old and 9-10 years old boys and girls can compete together) |
Girls (7 years - 8 years) Girls (9 years -10 years) Girls (11 years -12 years) Girls (13 years - 14 years) Girls (15 years - 18 years) Adults (+18 years) Master 1 (+35 years) |
Weight Divisions for Males
| Boys (7-8 Years) |
Boys (9-10 Years) |
Boys (11-12 Years) |
Boys (13-14 Years) |
Boys (15 Years - 18 Years) |
Adults (+18 Years) |
Master 1 (+35 Years) |
Master 2 (+40 Years) |
Master 3 (+45 Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -21kg | -24kg | -32kg | -36kg | -45kg | -60kg | -60kg | -60kg | -60kg |
| -24kg | -28kg | -36kg | -40kg | -50kg | -65kg | -65kg | -65kg | -65kg |
| -28kg | -32kg | -40kg | -45kg | -55kg | -70kg | -70kg | -70kg | -70kg |
| -32kg | -36kg | -45kg | -50kg | -60kg | -76kg | -76kg | -76kg | -76kg |
| -36kg | -40kg | -50kg | -55kg | -65kg | -83kg | -83kg | -83kg | -83kg |
| -40kg | -45kg | -55kg | -60kg | -70kg | -91kg | -91kg | -91kg | -91kg |
| -45kg | -50kg | -60kg | -65kg | -75kg | -100kg | -100kg | -100kg | -100kg |
| +45kg | +50kg | +60kg | +65kg | -80kg | +100kg | +100kg | +100kg | +100kg |
Weight Divisions for Females
| Girls (7-8 Years) |
Girls (9-10 Years) |
Girls (11-12 Years) |
Girls (13-14 Years) |
Girls (15 years - 18 Years) |
Adults (+18 Years) |
Master 1 (+35 Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -21kg | -24kg | -28kg | -32kg | -36kg | -50kg | -50kg |
| -24kg | -28kg | -32kg | -36kg | -40kg | -55kg | -55kg |
| -28kg | -32kg | -36kg | -40kg | -45kg | -60kg | -60kg |
| -32kg | -36kg | -40kg | -45kg | -50kg | -65kg | -65kg |
| -36kg | -40kg | -45kg | -50kg | -55kg | -70kg | -70kg |
| -40kg | -45kg | -50kg | -55kg | -60kg | +70kg | +70kg |
| +40kg | +45kg | +50kg | +55kg | +60kg |
Note: In the boys and girls division, if there is a big number of competitors, the organization can create an upper custom division to accommodate all competitors.
4. Takeaways
BJJ tournaments do not have any central body and one set of rules for weight categories. All the major organizations have their own rules and weight categories which can be different from the weight divisions of other organizations. IBJJF and ADCC are one of the most prominent and acknowledged BJJ organizations but still have different categories for weight division.
IBJJF has nine categories starting from Rooster to Ultra Heavyweight. While ADCC has five weight divisions for the World Championship and eight weight categories for other ADCC tournaments which are according to age and the level of tournament in which the competitor wants to partake.
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