Aaron
04-05-2009, 06:03 PM
By: Jason Charnes (jasonc84)
With the upcoming catch weight bout between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99, there is much talk about a 195 lb division. Silva has suggested to UFC President Dana White that this should become a permanent weight division. He believes this division would be a new home for other fighters as well as himself.
Wanderlei has always been a small Light Heavy Weight (205 lbs) and that is finally catching up with him as he has lost 4 out of his last 5 MMA fights, and some feel these losses are due to his size disadvantage. He has been talking about making the cut to Middleweight (185lbs) but says the cut is a large one for him. A 195 lb division would offer him and others in his position a new home. Silva is said to walk around between 208-210 lbs, which he feels is a disadvantage with so many fighters cutting from upwards of 225lbs in the LHW division.
I think a 195 lb division is a bad idea for many reasons. Cutting I don’t believe is a disadvantage to any fighter because it is an option that is open to all fighters. If a fighter believes he is losing a fight due to his size he has a couple of options; he can either bulk up in size and cut more weight himself, or cut down to a lower weight division.
The biggest reason to not have a 195 lb division is the fact that it puts weight classes too close together. With a 195 lb division this would give many fighters the chance to fight between 3 divisions with ease. This offers many potential problems in itself. With fighters jumping between divisions, and possibly not fighting 2 consecutive fights in the same division, how is the UFC supposed to make rankings and have clear number one contenders? With the ability to fight so easily in more than one weight class, there is nothing stopping a fighter from gaining a title in 2 or maybe even 3 weight classes. With one fighter holding so many belts it would further confuse the number one contender status, as fighters would have to wait so long for a title shot. If one fighter had 3 belts he would most likely only defend each belt once a year.
While I feel for Wanderlei because he is a legend of the sport, I think he should put in the work to make the cut to Middle Weight if he wants to fight opponents more his size. He is not the first fighter to cut from Light Heavyweight to Middle Weight and by no means is he the largest fighter to make this cut. His upcoming opponent Rich Franklin is larger than Silva, and is the former champion of the Middle Weight division.
For those fighters in a similar position to Wanderlei’s I think their best option is to concentrate on their diet with a dietitian, and practice making weight cuts. With a closely monitored nutrition plan, and practice attempts at a cut, I see no reason the smaller Light Heavyweights can’t make the it down to Middleweight.
discuss
With the upcoming catch weight bout between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99, there is much talk about a 195 lb division. Silva has suggested to UFC President Dana White that this should become a permanent weight division. He believes this division would be a new home for other fighters as well as himself.
Wanderlei has always been a small Light Heavy Weight (205 lbs) and that is finally catching up with him as he has lost 4 out of his last 5 MMA fights, and some feel these losses are due to his size disadvantage. He has been talking about making the cut to Middleweight (185lbs) but says the cut is a large one for him. A 195 lb division would offer him and others in his position a new home. Silva is said to walk around between 208-210 lbs, which he feels is a disadvantage with so many fighters cutting from upwards of 225lbs in the LHW division.
I think a 195 lb division is a bad idea for many reasons. Cutting I don’t believe is a disadvantage to any fighter because it is an option that is open to all fighters. If a fighter believes he is losing a fight due to his size he has a couple of options; he can either bulk up in size and cut more weight himself, or cut down to a lower weight division.
The biggest reason to not have a 195 lb division is the fact that it puts weight classes too close together. With a 195 lb division this would give many fighters the chance to fight between 3 divisions with ease. This offers many potential problems in itself. With fighters jumping between divisions, and possibly not fighting 2 consecutive fights in the same division, how is the UFC supposed to make rankings and have clear number one contenders? With the ability to fight so easily in more than one weight class, there is nothing stopping a fighter from gaining a title in 2 or maybe even 3 weight classes. With one fighter holding so many belts it would further confuse the number one contender status, as fighters would have to wait so long for a title shot. If one fighter had 3 belts he would most likely only defend each belt once a year.
While I feel for Wanderlei because he is a legend of the sport, I think he should put in the work to make the cut to Middle Weight if he wants to fight opponents more his size. He is not the first fighter to cut from Light Heavyweight to Middle Weight and by no means is he the largest fighter to make this cut. His upcoming opponent Rich Franklin is larger than Silva, and is the former champion of the Middle Weight division.
For those fighters in a similar position to Wanderlei’s I think their best option is to concentrate on their diet with a dietitian, and practice making weight cuts. With a closely monitored nutrition plan, and practice attempts at a cut, I see no reason the smaller Light Heavyweights can’t make the it down to Middleweight.
discuss