Comments on: Why Weight? – 10 Fighters that could possibly benefit from a change in division

By: gy614x

gy614x — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:40:47 +0000

I agree with Makington, If Brock was Mir’s size, that last fight would of been totally different….I dont think too many people could argue that.

By: donkamotes

donkamotes — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:13:46 +0000

“My only fear would be the possible explosion of estrogen a match-up between “Sexiyama” and current champ GSP would cause were the two to clash inside a space as confined as a giant arena.”

HAHA!!! Wow, lmfao.

great article but that line was hilarious

By: Makington

Makington — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:20:02 +0000

EnzoGiovanni: . Either you are good at MMA or you are not, regardless of a couple of pounds in difference.

Mr. Brock Lesnar has already proved you wrong, sir. He managed to get one of the most prestigious titles in all of MMA after his fourth fight, based mostly on size. The times have come and gone when technique always beats size, because these people with size are all with atleast some technique. I don't think anyone can argue that Brock is nowhere near the top of the 'Most Technical Fighters' list. If there were such a thing, he'd probably end up near the bottom. So how does he become champ? Well, I admit he is a great wrestler and deceivingly fast, but his biggest strength is his size advantage he has over everyone. Great article Brendhan. Lot's of insight, which started a lot of good discussions. However I'm skeptical about 2 choices still. I do believe Pat Barry could make 205, and without too much trouble, and until I see it, I don't think Kimbo would ever come close to making 205. He already cut down from about 280 to 235, and that's about as much fat as he had on him. His cardio is already in the red, and I don't think he would have the willpower to sit it out in the sauna and do what it takes to make 205.

By: edub

edub — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:17:34 +0000

Great read Brendan you made that article your bitch.

Anyhoo I agree with most except Pat Barry and Dennis Kang. I think the cut to 170 would hurt him even more in the cardio and “heart” department, and everything you said about Pat Barry earlier makes me think he needs to stay where he is.

The only thing sexier than Akiyama and St. Pierre is an old David Hasselhoff music video.

By: Brendhan Conlan

Brendhan Conlan — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:29:04 +0000

If I’d done an “honorable mentions” section Mirko would have been in it. I’m just not sure he can make 205 at his age and with his build. I’m also not sure he’d want to dedicate himself in such a way with plans to only fight a few more times before retiring.

By: EnzoGiovanni

EnzoGiovanni — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:15:21 +0000

I forgot to mention one thing: P2P rankings are just bullshit for everyone competent in the sport…everyone knows which division is the ultimate testing ground: heavyweight, and that’s where the top guys such as Fedor and CroCop want to compete. the others are just relying on imbecile Dana’s hype.
Deal with it.

By: EnzoGiovanni

EnzoGiovanni — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:12:13 +0000

CroCop or Fedor could easily make 205 if they wanted to…they are the smallest heavyweights on the planet.

So your article proves just nothng. Either you are good at MMA or you are not, regardless of a couple of pounds in difference.

By: redwire

redwire — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:43:27 +0000

Cro-cop is mentioned as being a perfect cruiserweight candidate, but I think he is one of those guys who could make it to 205. I think he weighs in a little higher these days, but Sherdog has him listed at 220.

If Mirko were to join a top gym and get some good coaches who knew how to take him through the cut, he’d go from being a small HW to a big-ish LHW.

By: Brendhan Conlan

Brendhan Conlan — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:23:37 +0000

Johnson may have a size/strength advantage at 170 but the type of cut he’s been making is dangerous and ultimately unnecessary considering how many more times he’ll need to do it to sniff title-contendership.

Also, with Rashad, my point was not that he’s shown a need to drop down to 185 but that he’s capable of it and I feel he’d be even MORE effective there than at 205. His forthcoming showing against Thiago Silva will say a lot about his future there.

By: Rich S.

Rich S. — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:32:56 +0000

I agree with all of these except for Rashad.. I’m sure he could make 185 but I think he’s perfect for LHW.. I mean, has he shown any need for a drop in weight? He’s fought the absolute best that the LHW division has to offer, and he’s only lost to a top 5 P4P fighter..

Edgar would be a monster at 145.

I still have NO IDEA why Serra is fighting at Welterweight.. He has such a disadvantage fighting with these HUGE guys.. Does he not think he can make 155 anymore? Does he not want to? It’s just ridiculous..

Also, as big as Rumble is, I really like him at Welterweight.. He would have even more power at 185, but the size and strength advantage he has over these Welterweights is like no other.. That’s an advantage you really need to… take advantage of.

By: Yourdaddydevilandlord

Yourdaddydevilandlord — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:42:31 +0000

I remember the UFC haters saying Kang was going to come in and dominate, uh, what happened? Oh yeah, competition. Face it, Bisping,admittedly angry after a slow first round, came out in the second and gorilla-pimped him. Kang would get beaten so badly by GSP, HE would speak french afterward. Of course so would the other 20 guys this artical just put at 170.

By: Madmax

Madmax — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:38:41 +0000

If the weigh-ins were done at the “insert corporate sponsor name here”prep point, big cuts would become a thing of the past. Guys couldnt cut big weight then step DIRECTLY into the cage. It would improve fighter safety, and eliminate big weight advantages some fighters enjoy. If you walk around at 200 lbs, you fight at 205 instead of a BIG cut to 185 or even 170.If a fighter misses weight, have a penalty system in place such as a 1 point penalty on the judges cards for each 1 lb over, or a monetary fine.

Just an idea

By: baldguy80

baldguy80 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:09:31 +0000

Weight classes are becoming totally misleading, to say the least! As noted, every competitor cuts *some* weight before fighting. The reality is that there are usually two 185 pounders fighting in a welterweight match. No one that I can think of walks around at the same weight they fight at. I’m wondering if there’s a better way to measure & “make” weight so that you actually get two guys with similar frames fighting. I think of Rumble Johnson cutting a ludicrous amount of weight, (I’ve heard as much as 40 lbs) to make welterweight. That can’t be good for the guys health!!

By: fanoftna33

fanoftna33 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:03:30 +0000

Great article, I have been thinking for quite a while now how great a fight between Edgar and Faber would be. I never would have thought about Kang moving down but you are right he needs a change and soon, ironicaly Roshalt who sports the exact same record as Kang was just released.
Another potential match up for Rashad would be against Bisping, after the first fight being so close I would love to see the rematch.

By: Nick Havok

Nick Havok — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:48:02 +0000

Excellent read!

I think if anything else, you made a good arguement as to why MMA needs to incorperate a super light heavyweight division (or whatever you want to call it) at 230 or 235 pounds.

This would eliminate the need for all the ‘smaller’ heavyweights to drop down to the already crowded light heavyweight division…and also eliminate the need for some drastic, possibly dangerous cuts by now current heavyweights who are looking to drop down (perfect examples – Velasquez and Berry).

Also, gone would be the days of 40 lb. weight advantages that some heavyweights have over others. This new division would most definitely level the playing field out a lot.

Not to mention, another division would just provide us with another champion to enjoy and many, many more booking options for Joe Silva.

I think it will happen one day…it just makes too much sense.