BJJ weight classes: IBJJF, ADCC and beyond

Your guide to weight classes in different BJJ competitions around the world.

Weight classes are used in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions to make matches fairer and more exciting. There are many different organisations running BJJ and grappling tournaments including the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) and Grappling Industries to name a few. Each organisation can have slightly different rules and weight divisions, so you should read up to see where you will compete in a given competition.

Use the information below as a guide only. Always double check weight divisions with the organisation directly before signing up for a competition.

Here are the different weight divisions for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments in each ruleset:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• IBJJF weight classes
• ADCC weight classes
• Grappling Industries weight classes
• UAEJJF weight classes
• SJJIF weight classes
• JJWL weight classes
• NAGA weight classes
• Five Grappling weight classes
• How do BJJ weigh-ins work?
• What if I don’t make weight?
• How much does a gi weigh?
• Cutting weight for BJJ

IBJJF weight classes

The IBJJF has one of the largest tournament calendars with numerous events each year. Below are the regular weight brackets for adults and juveniles in both gi and no-gi. Scroll down below to find out how you can see the specific weight classes for your competition.

Male adult IBJJF weight classes

Male juvenile IBJJF weight classes

Female adult IBJJF weight classes

Female Juvenile IBJJF weight classes

Are IBJJF weight classes the same for all the different IBJJF tournaments?

Yes, IBJJF weight classes are generally the same regardless of location or competition. 

How can I see the weight classes for my specific competition?

You can see the weight class sheet for your IBJJF event by clicking on the event on the IBJJF website and then clicking the yellow “weight chart” button on the right. You find all current and planned IBJJF events on their events page.

Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) weight classes

ADCC is a series of annual no gi submission grappling tournaments which was started by Sheik Tahnoon in 1998. Each year ADCC has qualifiers and open tournaments in many countries around the world, culminating in a prestigious world championship event.

ADCC World Championships and qualifiers weight classes

ADCC Teams weight classes

ADCC weight classes for all other tournaments

Note: There are additional weight classes for ages under 15. Check the ADCC website for full details.

Note: There are additional weight classes for ages under 15. Check the ADCC website for full details.

Grappling Industries weight classes

Grappling Industries is an international gi and no gi BJJ competition with events around the world. It’s differs from IBJJF and other single or double elimination tournament-style competitions because it uses a round robin system where all competitors in a division compete against each other. This means competitors get more matches even if they lose.

The United Arab Emirates Jiu Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) weight classes

The UAEJJF is the official jiu jitsu authority for the United Arab Emirates. It also runs a calendar of competitions each year, and is partnered with the Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro (AJP) organisation which runs the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and World Pro events.

Note: UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation also has weight classes for kids age brackets.

Sport Jiu Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) weight classes

The SJJIF was started in 2012 with the goal of getting jiu jitsu into the Olympics. The SJJIF has events around the world, particularly in the USA, Asia and Brazil, and a prestigious annual world championship event too.

Male

Female

Jiu Jitsu World League (JJWL) weight classes

JJWL was co-founded by Rigan Machado to be a professional BJJ tournament with cash prizes for some black belt open winners. There are also other differences including no advantages and ‘double eliminations’, where competitors in brackets of 4 or more have an extra match to compete for third place if they lose their first match.

JJWL Adult Gi Weight Classes

JJWL Adult No Gi Weight Classes

North American Grappling Association (NAGA) weight classes

NAGA started in 1995 and runs regular gi and no gi competitions in the USA and Europe. 

Five grappling weight classes

Five Grappling is a Northern American competition with some key rules differences including no advantages and 6 minute matches for adults.

How do jiu jitsu weigh ins work and when do they happen?

In most tournaments you’ll select your weight class when you sign up for an event and pay your entry fee. 

You’ll generally weigh in on the day of the competition shortly before your event. Your age, weight and belt category will be called up to the marshalling area. You’ll then be weighed on the official scales in front of an official. Some competitions require you to wear your gi while weighing in and others do not. Your uniform will also be checked around this time to make sure it satisfies length and hygiene rules.

Exactly how long before your event you’ll weigh in will depend on the organisation of the competition and other factors such as how many competitors are in your bracket. In the few competitions I’ve participated in, the wait was between 15 – 30 minutes from weigh in to my first match.

Even if you’re the only person in your weight class and will win by default you might still need to weigh in. In IBJJF rules for example you’ll not only need to weigh in but also pass the normal uniform test to be eligible for your medal.

What if I don’t make my weight?

In IBJJF rules you’ll be disqualified immediately if you don’t make weight, but each organisation has its own rules. Most competitions also don’t allow you to move weight classes on the day if you don’t make your target weight.

Some competition rules are more lenient than others. Grappling Industries will give you a 1 pound (0.45kg) allowance, and will also give you a certain amount of extra time to successfully make weight after failing the first test. 

NAGA competitions are even more lenient. NAGA competitors receive a 1 pound (0.45kg) allowance, and are also able to weigh in multiple times before “accepting” their final weight. Even if you miss your target weight, you can still compete at the weight class you end up falling into.

Be sure to check the rulebook of the organisation overseeing the competition to see what the policies around weigh-ins are. You can see the links to these at the bottom of this page.

Will I get a refund if I don’t make weight?

Most competitions including IBJJF and Grappling Industries don’t offer refunds if you miss your weight. As mentioned above though, some competitions like NAGA will just move you to the correct weight class rather than disqualifying you. 

How much does a gi weigh?

Our basic estimations show that an average BJJ gi weighs approximately 4lbs 11oz (2.1kg) and a competition gi weighs approximately 3lbs 3.5oz (1.46kg).

This is based on rough calculations of the gis below in A2/A2L sizes. As shown below, the weight of a gi also depends on the size, with larger sizes being heavier because there’s more fabric.

Below are the weights for some popular regular and light/competition gis:

Regular vs competition gis

As mentioned above, there are generally two types of BJJ gis you can buy: regular and competition. 

Regular BJJ gis are made with an overall balance of weight and toughness in mind. They’re comfortable but will last throughout long term regular training. 

Competition gis are lighter, and this generally means they’re thinner and won’t last as long in regular training compared to a regular heavier gi.

The weight of a gi also depends on the size you buy. For example, the Hayabusa Goorudo 3 gi ranges from 3.9lbs (1.77kg) in an A0 size to 5.8lbs (2.63kg) in an A5 size. See the full range of sizes and weights below:

Source: Hayabusa

Cutting weight for BJJ competitions

“Weight cutting” is intentional weight loss with the goal of competing at a specific lower weight class. While it’s more prevalent in boxing and MMA, some BJJ competitors also cut weight. 

In boxing and MMA, short term weight cutting is used by athletes to enter in a lower weight class than their normal weight, giving them a size advantage. After successfully weighing in at the lower weight they then rehydrate and go back up to their regular weight before the fight.

Weight cutting can involve short or longer term strategies, some of which can be unhealthy, unsafe and damage performance. Black belt and sports dietician Reid Reale does a great job of explaining the difference between the two strategies and how to use safer long term weight cutting strategies in his article on Jiu Jitsu Brotherhood.

BJJ competition rulesets

• IBJJF
• ADCC
• Grappling Industries
• UAEJJF
• SJJIF
• JJWL
• NAGA
• Five Grappling