Issue 136

December 2015

We ask if proposals for a new weight class between 205lb and 265lb are merited

YES

Demetrious Johnson

The first and only ever UFC flyweight champion 

The UFC didn’t have a flyweight division a couple of years ago, and now look: us little guys are putting on the best fights in the Octagon – the quality of the fighters in the 125lb weight class is incredible. How can introducing more weight classes be bad for the sport, especially with such a gulf between light heavyweight and heavyweight right now? The more weight classes, the more options for fans. 

There needs to be many weight classes as there’s no seasonality to the sport, there is no off season like in football. It’s 12 months a year, and championship fights are always good business. I can see why some people may believe that more weight classes would just make the UFC even more diluted, but overall it’s good for the sport as it allows people to pick and choose what they follow.

NO

Chael Sonnen

Three-time UFC title contender turned ESPN analyst

There just isn’t the depth in the heavyweight division right now to add another weight class, as most of the guys in the bracket could make it into any potential 225-230lb cruiserweight division. Cain Velasquez could do it, Fabricio Werdum could probably do it. There just aren’t the huge guys in MMA like you see in football or basketball. 

Werdum was outstanding against Cain but the bottom line is Jon Jones will show up and kick his ass right now. Daniel Cormier could go up and kick his ass too. The heavyweight class is a wimpy weight class, it always has been. If you’re a good athlete and you’re a heavyweight you go into the NFL – you don’t go into cage fighting. So you just can’t go adding a cruiserweight division when the heavyweight weight class sucks already.

No

@mike_gammon: There’s not enough depth to warrant it. It would water down HW and LHW classes.

Yes

@KC_Mustang: Yes, it would give fighters at 230 a chance to fight on an even playing

 field.No

@johnjo_carter: Why spread a thin talent pool even thinner? Makes no sense.

Twitter poll

YES 23%

NO 77%