What weight class should I fight in?

Question

I am a shorter fighter at 5'7 but I'm heavy built I'm at 195 and can get down to 170 (welter weight) at the least, what class should I fight in? I have good overall game.

Answer 1

At 5'7 you should be fighting in the 155 division tops. If you can get your natural weight to 170 or below (preferably), just cut a bit extra to make lightweight. Even there, you'll be on the short side. Fighting at WW at your height, however, is suicidal.

Answer 2

The basic rule of thumb is to get into the lowest weight class you can without sacrificing performance

This varies from person to person, and you may have to do a bit of trial and error to see how low you can go

It also depends how serious you are about watching your weight

Myself if I were to be a really serious competitor, I'd try to cut down at least ten pounds, but I'm not too serious, and I really like to eat, so I just don't worry about it, and when a competition comes up, I just step into whatever weight class I can, and just deal with it

keep in mind, if you are serious, the more weight classes you can fit into, the more opportunities you'll have for good fights  

Answer 3

u can get down to 170 easily

Answer 4

You should probably actually train and get into something resembling fighting condition before you start worrying about your weight class.  

Answer 5

seriously its all in what u want to do seriously. there are some decent fighters out there @ 5'7" 195 but seriously i would drop weight. i just fought a guy that was 182 and 5'8" and in am 6'4" and 185 i submitted him with a triangle in the first round. the big thing @ your height is that u need to get strong and get a good striking game with decent takedown defense but @ 5'7" and around 170 would be about perfect for u but it just depends on your martial arts background becuz if u like to strike go to 155 if not go to 170.

Answer 6

Im 5'7 and i actually fight lightweight but thats cause im 68 kilos. I dunno what weight class you should go in. Personally because you're on the shorter side I'd go with welter weight but its really whatever you feel most comfortable with and if your really willing to drop 25 lbs.