What is the Difference Between ADCC and IBJJF Weight Classes?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Adult females must be 18 years or more. While to compete in the Master's championship, the age must be 30 years or more. 

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. 

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.

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”.

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.

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. 

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.

Photo Credit: @adcombat & @ibjjf