The UFC is set for one of the most significant revamps in the company’s history.
According to veteran colour commentator, Joe Rogan, the promotion is in the process of changing the landscape of its weight divisions.
The UFC currently has a dozen weight classes, with another on the way in the form of a women’s flyweight division, but we could be set for a few more in the coming months.
On the most recent episode of Rogan’s Fight Companion podcast, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub let slip that the organisation was planning to make a 225lbs weight division.
There is a huge gulf between light heavyweight (limit of 205lbs) and heavyweight (limit of 265lbs) in the UFC which means that we often see worrying size mismatches due to the fact that some fighters who cut weight to make 265lbs are matched up with opponents who are just slightly too big to make 205lbs.
The new weight class, which will presumably be named cruiserweight, is aimed at bridging the gap between large light heavyweights and small heavyweights but that’s not the only change that we can expect as Rogan revealed that there is going to be a complete overhaul of the weight divisions.
There are currently 10lbs differences between all divisions from men’s flyweight to men’s lightweight (125lbs, 135lbs, 145lbs and 155lbs) but then there’s a considerable leap up to welterweight (170lbs) and middleweight (185lbs) before an even bigger jump to light heavyweight (205lbs).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ga-FnSeHVU&t=2572s#t=172m21s
Rogan insists that moves are being made to change the limits of several weight divisions so that there are 10lbs differentials between classes.
“Did you see there making a 225lbs division?” Schaub asked.
“They are, yeah,” Rogan responded before announcing the new plans.
“They’re also going to do a 10lbs up. They’re going to do 155lbs, 165lbs and 175lbs.”
While that idea has been floating around for years now, it’s not without its critics as some suggest that the UFC could go the way of boxing and dilute its roster by having too many champions.
But the benefits cannot be ignored. 10lbs differences mean that fighters are more likely to fight closer to their natural weight and more champions means more super-fights for the fans.
For our money, it’s a great idea.
