10 UFC Rules That Fighters And Fans Get Wrong All The Time

8. Weight Allowances

Gone are the days when all fighters face each other in one division to determine the best fighter overall. Nowadays everyone is separated into weight classes to determine the best fighter of a certain weight. However, this can be a little deceptive considering that fighters can walk around anywhere from ten to fifty pounds above their "fight weight". It can also be confusing when a fighter in the 170 pound division and comes in weighing 171. One probably wonders "Isn't that over the weight class?". There is actually a simple explanation for this. While the Unified Rules has specific weight classes, most commissions allow for a one pound weight allowance in non-title fights. However, title fights need to be at the weight class limit, no exceptions. There are also occasions where a fighter is just over the limit and is allowed to work off the weight within two hours and if they don't have to forfeit a percentage of their purse to both their opponent and the overseeing commission. An exception to the weight classes is what is called a "catchweight" bout where fighters agree to fight at a weight outside general weight class boundaries.