The super heavyweight division in mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts

Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...

 has no weight limit but generally refers to competitors weighing above 265 lb

Pound (mass)

The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...

 (120 kg

Kilogram

The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...

).

Across Europe

Europe

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

 and Asia

Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

, there are numerous promotions that feature open-weight competitions that can qualify as super heavyweight bouts.

One such example is in Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

, where mixed martial arts organizations are not obligated by law to implement weight classes. Many open-weight bouts are designed around the theme of matching an extraordinarily large fighter against a much smaller, but more skilled opponent. Therefore, the distinction of super heavyweight, and how it differs from heavyweight

Heavyweight (MMA)

The heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally groups fighters between .Although many ambiguities exist within the lower weight classes regarding division naming and weight limits, the Heavyweight division is, for the most part, uniform...

, holds little relevance in promotions such as DREAM

DREAM (mixed martial arts)

Dream is a mixed martial arts organization promoted by former PRIDE FC executives and K-1 promoter Fighting and Entertainment Group. DREAM replaced FEG's previous-run mixed martial arts fight series, Hero's. The series retains many of the stylistic flourishes and personnel from Pride FC...

 and formerly Pride Fighting Championships.

While in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, where state sanctioning laws often prohibit inter-divisional bouts, the super heavyweight class is necessary to pair two fighters above 265 lb.

Historically aside from open-weight competitions, the division has never been fully endorsed by any major promotion.

The super heavyweight limit, as defined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, is any competition over 265 lb (120 kg).

History

While no major organizations promote super heavyweight divisions there are some minor organizations that do feature bouts in the division. Some of the most notable of which have included, King of the Cage

King of the Cage

King of the Cage, also known as KOTC, is a mixed martial arts promotion based in Southern California, USA.-History:KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features up and coming MMA stars as well as experienced combat fighters....

, International Fighting Championships

International Fighting Championships

International Fighting Championships is an American mixed martial arts organization. Founded in 1996, the IFC was the vision of longtime martial artist and kickboxing promoter, Howard Petschler. Howard recognized that MMA would finally solve a lot of the problemsassociated with martial arts as a...

, and Rage in the Cage.

While formerly, organizations such the Ultimate Fighting Championship

Ultimate Fighting Championship

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...

, World Extreme Cagefighting

World Extreme Cagefighting

World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...

, Impact Fighting Championships

Impact Fighting Championships

Impact Fighting Championships is an Australian mixed martial arts promotion. The promotion held two of three planned events in July 2010 featuring veteran fighters of Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championships...

, and Adrenaline MMA

Adrenaline MMA

Adrenaline MMA is a mixed martial arts organization operating primarily in North America. It was formerly part of M-1 Global but became independent on October 2007 with Monte Cox as its head.-Foundation:...

 have held a select few super heavyweight bouts in past events.

See also

• List of current MMA Super Heavyweight champions