Flyweight


Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports.

Boxing

Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing up to and including 51 kg for a title fight.

Professional boxing

The flyweight division was the last of boxing's eight traditional weight classes to be established. Before 1909, anyone below featherweight was considered a bantamweight, regardless of how small the boxer. In 1911, the organization that eventually became the British Boxing Board of Control held a match that crowned Sid Smith as the first flyweight champion of the world. Jimmy Wilde, who reigned from 1916 to 1923, was the first fighter recognized both in Britain and the United States as a flyweight champion.
Other notable flyweights include Victor Perez, Pancho Villa, Walter McGowan, Pascual Pérez, Pone Kingpetch, Salvatore Burruni, Fighting Harada, Masao Ohba, Chartchai Chionoi, Efren Torres, Erbito Salavarria, Miguel Canto, Dave McAuley, Charlie Magri, Gabriel Bernal, Santos Laciar, Sot Chitalada, Yong-Kang Kim, Yuri Arbachakov, Danny Romero, Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, Manny Pacquiao, Jorge Arce, Vic Darchinyan, Nonito Donaire, Omar Andrés Narváez, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Amnat Ruenroeng, Román González, Donnie Nietes, Nicola Adams.

World champions

Sanctioning BodyReign BeganChampionRecordDefenses
WBAJuly 30, 2025Ricardo Sandoval27–2 0
WBCJuly 30, 2025Ricardo Sandoval27–2 0
IBFMarch 29, 2025Masamichi Yabuki18–4 0
WBOJuly 20, 2024Anthony Olascuaga9–1 2

''The Ring'' world rankings

As of August 8, 2025
Keys:
RankNameRecordTitle
C
1Ricardo Sandoval27–2 WBC, WBA
2Kenshiro Teraji25–2
3Seigo Yuri Akui21–3–1
4Masamichi Yabuki18–4 IBF
5Galal Yafai9–0–0–1
6Ángel Ayala18–1
7Felix Alvarado42–4
8Anthony Olascuaga9–1 WBO
9Tobias Reyes17–1–1
10Jukiya Iimura9–1

Longest reigning world flyweight champions

Below is a list of longest reigning flyweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Career total time as champion does not apply.
NameTitle reignTitle recognitionSuccessful defensesBeaten opponentsFights
1.Omar Andres Narvaez7 years, 10 monthsWBO1615
2.Jimmy Wilde7 years, 4 months, 4 daysWorld33
3.Pongsaklek Wonjongkam6 years, 4 months, 16 daysWBC1716
4.Artem Dalakian5 years, 10 months, 27 daysWBA55
3.Irene Pacheco5 years, 8 months, 6 daysIBF66
6.Pascual Perez5 years, 4 months, 20 daysWorld99
7.Yuri Arbachakov5 years, 4 months, 19 daysWBC99
8.Jackie Paterson4 years, 9 months, 4 daysNBA11
9.Miguel Canto4 years, 2 months, 10 daysWBC1411
10.Moruti Mthalane4 years, 1 month, 23 daysIBF44
11.Sot Chitalada3 years, 9 months, 16 daysWBC65

Amateur boxing

Olympic Champions

Men's

Pan American Champions

Men's

Kickboxing

In kickboxing, a flyweight fighter generally weighs 53 kg or under. The International Kickboxing Federation Flyweight division is 112.1 lb. – 117 lb. or 50.95 kg – 53.18 kg.
In ONE Championship, the flyweight division is up to.

Bare-knuckle boxing

The limit for flyweight generally differs among promotions in bare knuckle boxing:

Mixed martial arts

The flyweight division in mixed martial arts – as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission combat sports doctrine and by the Association of Boxing Commissions – groups together all competitors 125 lb and below. It sits between Strawweight and Bantamweight.
The flyweight division in mixed martial arts refers to a number of different weight classes:
  • The UFC's flyweight division, which groups competitors within 116 to 125 lb
  • The Pancrase light flyweight division with an upper limit of 54 kg
  • The Shooto flyweight division with an upper limit of 114.6 lb
  • The ONE Championship's flyweight division, with upper limit at
  • The Road FC's flyweight division, with upper limit at 125 lb

Professional champions

These tables were last updated in December of 2025.
Men:
OrganizationReign BeganChampionRecordDefenses
UFCDecember 6, 2025