Over the summer, the UTMA organization finalized the restructuring of its athletic framework and presents major developments – officially approved weight classes for kickboxing and Muay Thai, alongside the first-ever UTMA fighter rankings in the promotion’s history.
The first phase of this initiative was securing long-term contracts with UTMA’s core stars, ensuring sporting stability and guaranteeing continuous activity and competitiveness across all divisions.
The second, concurrent phase of the overhaul involved a thorough review of the weight class system.
By analyzing international combat sports best practices and recognizing that sustained organizational growth requires a clear athletic framework, the promotion finalized its weight division principles and established precise weight limits.
“For the organization, these were critical decisions driven by our international ambitions and the goal of attracting top fighters from both Lithuania and abroad. Previously, bouts took place in open weight formats where appropriate weights were negotiated between both parties. Now, we are entering the next stage with defined weight divisions, clear intermediate corridors, and official catchweight rules. This brings clarity not only to the UTMA fighters themselves, but to our fans as well. At the same time, this marks a significant international leap that will help us bring in elite foreign talent,” said UTMA CEO Viktoras Gecas.
Weight Classes and the Catchweight System
The UTMA organization has established the following official weight divisions for kickboxing and Muay Thai bouts: 63.5 kg, 67 kg, 75 kg, 81 kg, 86 kg, 95 kg, and 95+ kg.
These categories were chosen based on international combat sports standards while directly reflecting the organization’s roster dynamics – maintaining competitiveness in every division, effective talent scouting, and regular fighter activity.
To preserve genuine sporting integrity, official catchweight corridors were established for each category. These boundaries will facilitate matchup matchmaking amid changing circumstances and streamline the integration of new athletes, while primarily serving as the mathematical foundation for calculating the new UTMA rankings.
The upper and lower catchweight limits across adjacent divisions align, providing the promotion with the flexibility to create high-profile superfights and intriguing matchups between the top athletes of neighboring divisions.
Weight classes and their catchweight corridors:
- 63.5 kg: no lower limit; upper catchweight limit – up to 65.25 kg;
- 67 kg: catchweight from 65.25 kg to 71 kg;
- 75 kg: catchweight from 71 kg to 78 kg;
- 81 kg: catchweight from 78 kg to 83.5 kg;
- 86 kg: catchweight from 83.5 kg to 90.5 kg;
- 95 kg: catchweight from 90.5 kg to 130 kg;
- 95+ kg: catchweight from 95 kg to 130 kg.
Notably, the upper catchweight limit for the 95 kg division matches the organization’s maximum allowable bout weight limit. In the 95+ kg division, catchweight bouts can take place anywhere between 95 kg and 130 kg.
This overlapping upper-tier corridor was modeled after leading international standards and UTMA’s historical data, recognizing that heavier athletes can seamlessly move between divisions throughout their careers while staying competitive, ultimately delivering the highest-caliber heavyweight matchups for fans and the promotion alike.
“Most of the weight classes emerged naturally from past bouts and the fighters’ own decisions regarding where they compete best. Athletes had the freedom to choose their preferred division, and we also modeled where matchups make the most sense. While the divisions are now set, fighters can still appear in catchweight bouts when it provides competitive value for both them and the organization. Moving between weight classes will be possible in special circumstances – a standard now firmly established in UTMA, just as in the world’s most prestigious combat sports promotions,” stated V. Gecas.
Historic Rankings and Point Calculation Rules
With official weight classes, division limits, and catchweight boundaries firmly established, UTMA introduces its inaugural fighter rankings.
The UTMA rankings are calculated using a transparent mathematical model to ensure objectivity, ranking the best and most active UTMA athletes in each weight class by discipline.
“The rankings are designed so that once they settle after a few events, we will have a clear, true picture of the landscape, and future matchups will be made directly through the rankings. We will see the full benefit over the coming events as division leaders emerge as the primary contenders for main-event bouts and championship title fights. Ultimately, this will lead to crowned champions across every single weight division,” noted V. Gecas.
Fighters begin accumulating ranking points in a chosen weight class once they compete in a bout contested at that division’s exact base weight.
For example, a fighter in the 75 kg division begins earning points in the 75 kg rankings upon entering the ring for a bout scheduled at precisely 75 kg.
The UTMA ranking system evaluates victories, finishes, title fights, and activity levels.
As noted by UTMA Head V. Gecas, the initial inaugural rankings reflect past bouts contested prior to the implementation of the new weight classes. As a result, early standings may shift, and the definitive rankings picture will solidify following the upcoming events and initial bouts contested at the precise new weight limits.
Ranking Points System
UTMA awards 1 point for a victory in a base weight class bout and 3 points for winning a UTMA championship title fight.
An additional 0.5 points is awarded for a victory via knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO). This bonus is not awarded if a victory occurs due to corner stoppage/retirement, injury, or disqualification.
In the event of a draw in a base weight class bout, both fighters receive 0.5 points.
The catchweight framework also plays a direct role in the rankings. An athlete who has logged at least one bout at their base weight class earns points for victories within their division’s approved catchweight corridor: a catchweight victory matching the fighter’s divisional limits awards 0.5 points. Draws in catchweight bouts do not award ranking points.
The UTMA ranking model is structured to reward risk-taking and courage. Losses do not deduct points – a setback in the ring does not reduce an athlete’s earned points total, encouraging fighters to accept the toughest challenges rather than artificially protecting an undefeated record. No points are awarded or deducted for unheld bouts or bouts ruled a No Contest (NC).
The system actively tracks fighter activity to prevent divisional stagnation. However, taking seasonal scheduling into account, June, July, and August are entirely excluded from inactivity calculations.
During the active season, inactivity penalties apply as follows:
- 6 months without a bout: The fighter’s points total in that specific weight class is reduced by 20%.
- 12 months without a bout (excluding summer): The points total is reduced by an additional 30% (a cumulative maximum reduction of 50% from their original total).
- Maximum penalty limit: Total deductions for inactivity cannot exceed 50%.
Divisional Champions automatically hold the #1 spot in their respective weight class rankings, regardless of their current accumulated points total.
New UTMA athletes enter the roster with 0 points and, at the promotion’s discretion, may remain unranked until their promotional debut.
Athletes moving to a new weight class may retain their placement in their previous division’s rankings; however, inactivity rules will continue to apply to their standing in the former division.
Rankings are recalculated and officially updated after every UTMA event.
In the kickboxing discipline, UTMA is publishing full rankings across all weight classes. In Muay Thai, the promotion is currently publishing rankings for the 67 kg division, with additional Muay Thai weight classes to follow as division rosters reach necessary capacity.
All official UTMA rankings, weight categories, and fighter statistics are available at stats.uniquetma.com.
