As major structural changes sweep through the UTMA promotion, one weight class is being dissolved, resulting in the reigning champion being stripped of the title.
As part of UTMA’s sporting overhaul to align with the highest international standards by establishing fixed weight classes, these changes have directly impacted the champion-led 77 kg division.
“Unfortunately, the 77 kg division is being phased out because our 75 kg and 81 kg categories are already stacked. It was an internal decision to eliminate this weight class. As a result, Krilavičius loses his championship belt, which is officially being discontinued by UTMA. It is what it is, and we can only regret the situation he finds himself in,” commented UTMA CEO Viktoras Gecas.
UTMA will officially unveil its new weight classes and regulations shortly. Through this process, it has been confirmed that the 77 kg division will no longer exist, meaning Sparta Fight Gym fighter Raimundas Krilavičius (4-1, 1 KO UTMA) loses his championship status.
Krilavičius kicked off his UTMA journey back at UTMA 2 with a victory under MMA rules. He made his promotional return at UTMA 9 with a win over Dovydas Rimkus and has competed exclusively under kickboxing rules ever since.
Krilavičius earned his title shot at UTMA 17, where he edged out Mantvydas Perednis in a grueling five-round battle to claim the championship belt.
“In tennis, there’s a term called ‘lucky loser.’ We could look at Krilavičius’ situation in a similar way. He was fortunate to win that belt in an uncompromising war via split decision. Soon, we’ll be presenting the new weight categories, and fighters will have to decide where they want to compete. Krilavičius chose the 75 kg division, where he can achieve great results and surprise a lot of people. I can’t wait to see him fight in his home arena in Vilnius on October 25th,” Gecas stated.
As a reminder, Mantvydas Perednis was the inaugural UTMA 77 kg kickboxing champion, claiming the belt at UTMA 15 after defeating Dovydas Rimkus.
