The classification of coal bursting liability is of great significance for the prevention and control of rock burst. To address the shortcomings in existing bursting liability classification methods, a comprehensive evaluation model for bursting liability based on a combination of weighted-fuzzy set theory and three influencing factor analyses is proposed. The model selects four evaluation indicators: dynamic failure time (DT), elastic energy index (WET), bursting energy index (KE), and uniaxial compressive strength (RC). Two types of membership functions, trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TFN) and Gaussian fuzzy numbers (GFN), are used to quantitatively describe the fuzziness between indicator levels. The Delphi method and a random forest feature identification method are combined to obtain a subjective and objective combined weighting, determining the optimal combination weight of the four indicators. Based on Zadeh operator (ZO), maximum-minimum operator (MMO), weighted-average operator (WAO), and all-around restrictive operator (ARO), calculations are carried out for the synthesis of indicator weights and memberships. Maximal membership principle (MMP) and Credible identification principle (CIP) are utilized as evaluation principle to assess the bursting liability level, constructing 16 fuzzy comprehensive evaluation models. The impact of membership functions, fuzzy operators, and evaluation principle on evaluation results are systematically analyzed based on the discrimination results of 127 sample sets. The results show that the optimal fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model is constructed using the trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, weighted average operator, and maximal membership principle (TFN-WAO-MMP), with a classification accuracy of 97.64%. Finally, the optimal model is applied to 10 engineering instances, and the evaluation results are consistent with the actual situation, verifying the reliability and effectiveness of the model. Overall, these findings contribute to the development of a more sophisticated and accurate method for assessing the rock burst tendency of coal specimens. By leveraging the theory of fuzzy sets, this approach provides a more nuanced and nuanced evaluation of rock burst tendency, and thus offers the potential to improve workplace safety and efficiency in the coal mining industry.