In the UFC, catchweight refers to any weight limit in a fight that does not adhere to the traditional limits for weight divisions. Catchweight fights are set up when one or both fighters cannot lose enough weight before the weigh-ins, meaning they are heavier than the maximum permitted weight. Catchweight fights come with many caveats, and fighters will almost always be fined a large portion of the fight’s earnings if they miss weight. The catchweight is usually set to the weight of the heavier fighter. For example, at UFC 214, the Bantamweight fight between Aljamain Sterling and Renan Barao became a catchweight fight with a 140lbs weight limit because Barao could not cut enough weight to reach 135lbs.

It is important to note that catchweight is not a division, but rather the weight of the heavier fighter. For non-title fights, fighters are allowed to weigh an extra pound heavier than the weight limit, but for title fights, fighters must weigh at or below the weight limit for their division. UFC fighters cannot weigh far below the limit, and they must weigh in at heavier than the maximum weight of the division lighter than theirs.