10 BJJ Weight Classes: Your Guide To IBJJF

Everyone knows that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the best combat sports to help a smaller person to overpower a stronger, bigger opponent. But in competition, BJJ weight classes are usually followed for a fair match-up.

This article looks at the different BJJ weight categories recognized by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). We will also look at some of the other categories that are used to match opponents. 

So slap on a Gi (or your no-Gi uniform), and let’s grapple with this important topic. 

IBJJF Weight Classes for Gi and non-Gi Tournaments

The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBBJF) has ten weight divisions. This ranges from rooster weight class all the way to open weight class. These weight classes apply to both Gi competitions and non-Gi competitions.

Gi competition means opponents wear the Gi.

Non-Gi competition doesn’t allow the Gi. 

In Gi tournaments, athletes wear the Gi in competition, and the weight of the Gi is factored in when calculating the weight of the fighter.

In no-Gi competitions, athletes will weigh in wearing the no-Gi uniform, which consists of shorts and a rash guard. The no Gi weight classes share the same name as the Gi weight classes but are slightly lighter.

In both Gi and no Gi tournaments, competitors have a single opportunity to make weight. Failure to make weight on the first attempt results in automatic disqualification. There are no second chances.

IBJJF Age and Skill Divisions

Before diving into the different weight classes, it’s important to remember that each is divided between adult male, adult female, juvenile male, and juvenile female categories.

Within the adult and juvenile categories for male and female competition, there are sub-divisions for different age groups and skill and belt level.

Juveniles do not compete against adults, and males do not compete against females. Fourteen-year-olds don’t compete against five-year-olds. They compete in different age categories. 

Juvenile age sub-divisions span from age 4 to 17. In the Adult divisions, the age divisions range from age 18 to 61 and up.

Similarly, black belts don’t compete against white belts, and amateurs don’t compete in the masters division. Apart from the Open Division, competition occurs between the same belt categories and belt rank.

In other words, the bjj belt system is important. And a white belt, blue belt, purple belt, brown belt, and black belt will compete in separate divisions. 

So again, don’t worry. If you sign up, you won’t be matched with a black belt.

The IBJJF regulates fights to be divided by weight and gender, age, and skill level.  

Rooster Class (aka Peso Galo)

The Rooster class, or Peso Galo in Portuguese, is the lowest weight class in competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

These fighters are lean, mean weight cutting machines.

And while you may think this is one of those weight classes for kids categories, there are some very impressive adult grapplers.

They tend to have a smaller natural weight but also lose as much water weight as possible before a competition.

One of the most prolific fighters in this division is IBJJF Hall of Famer Bruno Da Silva Malfacine. Malfacine won gold in ten IBJJF World Championships between 2007 and 2018.

Watch a clip of Rooster Class legend Bruno Da Silva Melfacine in action below.

Light Feather Class (aka Peso Pluma)

Progressing through the weight divisions, we have the light feather weight class, referred to as Peso Pluma in Portuguese. 

Guilherme Mendes is widely hailed as one of the dominant legends of this weight class with four world championships under his name. 

Check out some highlights from Guilherme Mendes in the video below.

Feather Class (aka Peso Pena)

The next weight division in BJJ is Featherweight class or Peso Pena in Portuguese.

 Mackenzie Dern is widely hailed as one of the dominant female competitors of the female featherweight class. She now fights in the UFC in the Strawweight division. 

Check out some of Mackenzie Dern’s BJJ highlights below.

Lightweight Division (aka Peso Leve)

Lightweight is the next division for competition under the IBJJF’s rules. 

Luanna Alzuguir Marton Moraes is an example of an outstanding female fighter in the lightweight division, with four first-place championships between 2009 and 2013.

Check out her 2010 victory in the IBJJF World championship below:

Middleweight Division (aka Peso Médio)

The next weight division in BJJ is the middleweight class, or Peso Médio in Portuguese.

This is the most potent division in the sport, with no shortage of talented competitors who stand out for their power and speed. Watch two top-notch fighters compete in the middleweight division below. Check out the 2021 middleweight bout between Tainan Dalpra v Renato Canuto below:

Medium Heavy (aka Peso Meio-Pesado)

The Medium Heavy weight class, known as Peso Meio-Pesado in Portuguese is near the top weight class of the divisions. 

One of the most accomplished competitors in the medium heavyweight division was Leandro Lo, who was tragically killed in 2022.

But during his life, he inspired many with this versatility, competing and winning in multiple weight classes thanks to the combination of his power, strategy, and technical finesse. Take a look at a clip of him in action below, competing in the World Championship.

Heavy (Peso Pesado)

The next weight division in BJJ is the heavyweight class, or Peso Pesado in Portuguese.

Check out highlights from the 2019 Heavyweight IBJJF Grand Prix below

Super Heavy (Peso Super Pesado)

Near the top of the weight divisions in competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the Super Heavyweight class, or Peso Super Pesado in Portuguese.

Alexandre Dantas is a legend in this weight class with three world championships. Check out one of his performances below.

Ultra Heavy (Peso Pesadissimo)

The final defined weight division in BJJ is the ultra heavyweight class or Peso Pesadissimo in Portuguese. This is the weight class for the big boys. There is no maximum weight limit in this category. The division only exists for adult and male juvenile competitors and is not currently a weight class for females.

Watch the video below to see ultra-heavyweight competitors in action:

Open Class / Absolute Division (Peso Absoluto)

Finally, we have the Open Class division, or Absolute division – or Peso Absoluto in Portuguese. This division is open to all adult weight classes.

As you can imagine, BJJ’s emphasis on body weight technique makes this a martial art where open-weight competition is possible. Open-weight boxing, on the other hand, is not advisable.

Open weight classes for adult competitors allow opponents of any weight difference to compete.

However, there are conditions for open weight competition at juvenile levels. Juvenile open competitions are subject to specific criteria, depending on the tournament. 

Check out this incredible video of what Open weight competition looks like below.

The Bottom Line on BJJ Weight Classes

So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. In this article, we’ve looked at the different Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu weight classes as defined by the prestigious International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

In this article, we have also looked at examples of competition in the different weight classes. 

So now that we’ve given you an overview, go make your target weight and get into the action!