As known from:
VA
Contains commercial content
US Gambling Sites / The UFC Needs To Change Its Weight Divisions

The UFC Needs To Change Its Weight Divisions

Publish Date: 16/05/2019
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

What if there were a way to give the UFC more of the two things fans covet above all else: titles and super fights? And what if I told you that on top of raising the entertainment factor, this alteration would also make the sport considerably safer for the athletes? What if you were able to stream UFC fights and watch your favorite fighters have longevity in the sport? What is it? Revamping the weight divisions, of course.

BetMGM Sportsbook
Sports Promo
4.5/5
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
Risk-Free Bet
|
T&Cs apply, 21+
Copy
Go to BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook Highlights
  • Excellent range of sports markets
  • Plenty of betting options
  • Impressive odds

The current weight divisions are as follows: 125, 135, 145, 155, 170, 185, 205 and heavyweight. These weights put fighters in a position to choose between fighting bigger men or cutting extreme amounts of weight. The solution, while not simple, does seem obvious: Change the divisions.

Make the new divisions as follows: 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205 and heavyweight. This wouldn't solve every problem, but it would be a hell of a start. By eliminating the 170-pound division altogether and adding in 165, 175 and 195, you make it easier and much less hazardous for fighters to cut down to their desired weight. It's no secret that fighters want to walk into the octagon at a much higher weight than what they weighed in at, but giving the fighters more classes to choose from may stop the need for them to seek such an advantage.

shutterstock_ mma fighter

You’ll never stop fighters from cutting weight (you can read more on this here) and it’s naïve to think otherwise. The benefit to walking down the aisle a physically bigger man is too great. But the addition of the weight classes would give many fighters a chance to either extend or revitalize their careers fighting in a class that more suits their bodies.

Take Johny Hendricks, for example. Once upon a time, Hendricks was the 170-pound champion of the world. But since losing his title he has struggled, and some say it's because the cut to 170 is too harsh on his body. Hendricks even ended up in the hospital once due to a blockage in his intestine, and kidney stones developed from the rapid loss of weight. The cut nearly killed him.

Hendricks isn’t alone, though. There seems to be at least one fighter per card who misses weight, and nearly every fighter looks like a shell of him or herself at weigh-ins. None, however, seemingly look worse than the sport’s biggest star, Conor McGregor, than when he makes his title weight of 145.

If you didn’t know better, you would think 170-pound and 145-pound McGregor were different people or at least the before and after versions of a “this is your body on meth” commercial. Some have even questioned if the reason McGregor hasn’t defended his 145 title is because of the severe weight cut he has to endure.

The obvious argument against this change would be the possible dilution of the classes, especially if the 195-pound division was created. The current 205-pound division is already perceived as being thin, but with the current growth and popularity of the sport, there can be no reasonable argument that there will be a shortage of 195/205-pound competitors in the future.

It would take a lot of work on the UFC’s part to get this done; there is no denying that. But imagine, if you will, the upside of the changes. You would have two new champions to crown and the new possibility of super-fights throughout the company.

Sports Promo
4.5/5
BetMGM Sportsbook
Sports Promo
4.5/5
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
Risk-Free Bet
|
T&Cs apply, 21+
Copy
Claim Promo

 

Let’s face it, the reason the Conor McGregor versus Eddie Alvarez fight drew so much buzz, besides McGregor’s obvious appeal, is because something that has never been done before (simultaneous champion at two weight classes) is a distinct possibility. These new weight classes bring the odds of this happening again up dramatically.

MMA is an inherently dangerous sport, which is a large part of the appeal to many. Two men facing off, going toe to toe to see who the best is on that particular night. It’s one of the true tests in all of sports, which is why we love it. But unfortunately the fight to make weight is starting to become as important as the contests themselves.

The UFC is like any other business in the world. If you don’t adapt, you die. No one is saying the UFC is dying — far from it — but becoming complacent and stuck in tradition is a good first step in that direction. With just small changes, the UFC can ensure that not only will its fighters thrive, but most importantly, the bottom line will as well.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Replies to The UFC Needs To Change Its Weight Divisions

  1. Sven Juis says:

    We any closer to this?
    Kevin Lee is another reason why this should happen. He’s too small for 170 and kills himself to try (and fail) to make 155.

    • Derek Thorn says:

      I agree with this 100% I've been watching ufc since it came out it this is one thing I never liked

Read Also
UFC Fight Night Makhachev versus Green: Ultimate Betting Guide
The UFC returns to the APEX this weekend with a card that ...
UFC 271 Adesanya Vs Whittaker II: Ultimate Betting Guide
Two of the greatest 185lb fighters in the history of the UFC ...
NFL Week 10 - betting spreads, odds and more
Week 10 of the NFL 2021/22 season has already started, with the ...
Ranking Every Olympic Super-Heavyweight Gold Medal Winner as Professionals
These guys earned the top prize in amateur boxing, but how did ...
The Forbidden Game: How Nazi-Aligned Vichy France Banned A Rival Sport
— By Zack Wilson It is one of the greatest sporting injustices ...
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Promos
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.6/5
FanDuel Sport
FanDuel Sport
FanDuel Sport Review
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.5/5
Caesars
Caesars
Caesars Review
4.5/5
DraftKings Sport
DraftKings Sport
DraftKings Sport Review
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
$1000 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Place your first cash bet up to $1,000, and if the bet loses, you will have your wager refunded in Bonus Bets. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
FanDuel Sport
FanDuel Sport Promo
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Caesars
Caesars Promo
100% up to $1000
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
DraftKings Sport
DraftKings Sport Promo
Bet $5 Get $150 Instantly
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook Promo
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now!
-
Our Team
The TSFJ FamMark LewisEddie Maisonet IIIJosh SchwartzDrew the DFS Guy
+2
The TSFJ Fam
The TSFJ Fam
TSFJ Contributor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Eddie Maisonet III
Eddie Maisonet III
Chief Editor TSFJ
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Drew the DFS Guy
Drew the DFS Guy
DFS Expert
Dan Holmes
Dan Holmes
Sports Writer
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Editor
Get the latest updates in Sports and Casino via our Newsletter

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
Close
Players accepted in the US US Flag
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Exclusive Bonus Code: GBHSOCIAL
  • Redeem for Crypto
  • Earn Stake Cash for logging in!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site