Mixed Martial Arts Forum banner

strawweight coming soon to UFC

8K views 108 replies 38 participants last post by  The Best Around 
#1 ·
Just this past year, the UFC added the flyweight division, and on Saturday, Demetrious Johnson defended that title with a unanimous decision win over John Dodson in the main event of UFC on FOX 6 at United Center in Chicago.

After that card, UFC President Dana White told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the trip went well, and there's excitement in the company about the potential for the strawweight division.

But White defended that division, even while knowing he'll probably have to fight the same battles when the company brings the 115-pound class along.

"I think you had some people talking smack here and there (about the flyweights)," White said. "But if you're a real fight fan, how do you not like Ian (McCall)? How do you not like Joe (Benavidez)? How do you not like (Johnson and Dodson) that were here tonight? When people say s--- like that to me, it's hard for me to respond without being a real a--hole. It's really hard for me."
Ok so maybe I'm being optimistic. But the idea is out there.
 
#14 ·
I'm not saying I never want to see it, but they need to focus on the things they have right now. 125 is so weak it isn't even funny, but it also stole a bit from 135. The last thing they need is fighters from 125 leaving. It's hard to even call it a division with the amount of relevant fighters in it.
 
#49 ·
I totally agree with this sentiment. We need time for the 125 and 135 divisions to get some momentum. They especially need to start building stars. If we keep adding more divisions, especially controversial ones, then the casual fans will become confused, and people don't like being confused, so they will watch something else.
 
#16 ·
Not interested at all. I don't want to take anything away from the small guys but fights in those weight classes just aren't my thing. Sure there are lots of good matches out there but I don't feel that connection to the lower weight classes that I do to the heavier classes. Plus a PPV headlined by a BW or Straw weight main event is a waste to me....free is ok but PPV it won't be enough to open my wallet.
 
#25 ·
Agree totally.

Strawweights are basically Asian MMA freakshow fodder along with Super Hulk and all that bullshit.


I have no idea why ZUFFA brass are clamouring for this. At least with Flyweight there was a clear emerging scene, especially stateside which is arguably the most important factor for a division...and not to mention it isn't hard to imagine a future of talented 125lb fighters considering the precedent seen in other sports like boxing. (Pacquiao, Marquez, Salvador Sanchez, Pep, etc)



The only thing I recall about the 110s in boxing is Finito beating up on a bunch of no-hopers and no one caring.


Oh and Ivan Calderon.
 
#27 ·
No not really, hes not that good. Clearly gatekeeper fodder. That said I don't even think he could make 115 considering he's fought at BW recently and he's 5'6.



Not sure if you realize this but you do realize that the less weight you are dealing with the harder it is to cut weight right?


The amount of 35s that had the ability to cut to Fly was relatively small and was basically only the guys who were obviously dwarfed in every fight like Cariaso, Dodson, Joe B and Mighty Mouse. These guys are about 5'4 on average and were in a division that is full of 5'7ish fighters.


We haven't seen many guys making the drop to Fly and likely won't any time soon.
 
#28 ·
Not sure why theres hate here. Obviously outside the fact the UFC needs to strengthen the flyweight division before making any division additions, adding strawweight would be so exciting! Just think, ultimately more cards and more superfights! It gives super tiny dudes a chance to showcase their skill. Yeah, there wont be a lot of finishes but imagine how freaking fast these dudes will go? Thats exciting to me! The sport is young too so just give it some time until you have some guys who can bring some power into these low weight divisions much like newer HW's bringing in speed to accompany their power recently.
 
#30 ·
Not sure why theres hate here. Obviously outside the fact the UFC needs to strengthen the flyweight division before making any division additions, adding strawweight would be so exciting! Just think, ultimarely more cards and more superfights! It gives super tiny dudes a chance to showcase their skill. Yeah, there wont be a lot of finishes but imagine how freaking fast these dudes will go? Thats exciting to me! The sport is young too so just give it some time until you have some guys who can bring some power into these low weight divisions much like newer HW's bringing in speed to accompany their power recently.
Yeah all the superfights between Rambaa Samdet and....


o wait



The funniest thing about it is that Rambaa has already beaten almost every other top strawweight worth a damn(see almost none of them)


Rambaa just needs to leave that joke of a division and sign to the UFC's flyweight division. We already know he's better than Useless. So he need not be tested against gatekeeper types.
 
#33 ·
Does knowing someone's name make them any less skilled? How many people here knew who Ian McCall was 2 years ago? Does that mean he wasn't talented? How many are aware of who Darrell Montague is? Does that mean he isn't talented? How many know Soo Chul Kim? That guy is full of talent. Not knowing and not existing are very different. Like I said put those guys in the cage with the special letters on their gloves and see if that talent doesn't magically appear.
 
#35 ·
Furthermore, it's sort of telling that the literal biggest organization in Asia(which has an absolute shit level of competition by the way, lol Soo Chul Kim) doesn't even support the Strawweight division in spite of having a direct pipeline to all of its (lack of) talent.
 
#38 ·
That's just your ignorance going nuts right there. OneFC is a fantastic organization and if you don't enjoy that then I don't see how you can enjoy MMA. It's an outstanding product. Also Soo Chul Kim is a very, very talented young fighter that would own the majority of this counterparts that wear those 3 magic letters. Don't get popularity and skill confused. That man has undeniable skills. Don't look at records, watch the fights.
 
#37 ·
I'm not watching a 115 pound Man fight. I'm not a fan of smaller weight classes in boxing. It's taking a while for me to accept the 125lb guys as serious fighters.

Frank Mir said it best. Fans don't even want to think they could beat up the guy they are watching fight.
 
#43 ·
Do you do anything but speak in generalized conjecture?

It's like talking to a brick wall. And no actually I catch the replays after the events. At least the fights I feel like watching.

I know the next event features two mediocre Filipino Wushu guys...one being a guy who cant grapple to save his life an got thrown around by a 8 year past his prime Jens Pulver. And then BJ who is past it will still probably outgrapple another Filipino can crusher.

Other than that and the complete lack of international talent sans Bibiano Fernandes and I have no idea why you pretend you are watching the gold standard of non-domestic MMA.



Also I'm not sure where entertainment value became talent.


Oh wait, it never did, and people's abilities to have exciting fights does not make them good fighters.



Let me guess, Leonard Garcia is a the next big threat to Jose Aldo huh?
 
#45 ·
Do you do anything but speak in generalized conjecture?

It's like talking to a brick wall. And no actually I catch the replays after the events. At least the fights I feel like watching.

I know the next event features two mediocre Filipino Wushu guys...one being a guy who cant grapple to save his life an got thrown around by a 8 year past his prime Jens Pulver.

Other than that and the complete lack of international talent sans Bibiano Fernandes and I have no idea why you pretend you are watching the gold standard of non-domestic MMA.



Also I'm not sure where entertainment value became talent.


Oh wait, it never did, and people's abilities to have exciting fights does not make them good fighters.



Let me guess, Leonard Garcia is a the next big threat to Jose Aldo huh?
Just like I thought. You look at records and names and results and you don't watch fights and actual in the cage action. Does an entertaining fight become less entertaining if you don't know the name of the fighter? Does that make the performance you are watching any less impressive? It's impossible to watch an OneFC show and not be entertained. It's impossible to watch and not see talent. How is entertainment not a factor in watching a sporting event? Also just looking at records alone is not a clear indication of talent. Nothing on paper is going to effect what I see when I WATCH a fight. We are just 2 different kind of "fans". I base my opinion on what I see, you base yours off of numbers you read about. Do you. I'll do me.
 
#47 ·
It's cute how one member can mix astonishing pretentiousness with a not-to-impressive knowledge of MMA.


But carry on with your complete inability to gauge relative talent and your pro-wrestling style "mark" approach to MMA.

It would be cute if you weren't so obnoxiously pretentious about it.


I'll be watching when BJ taps or just grinds out one of those super "talented" "prospects" that OneFC has signed assuming he's not totally done at this point...and then we can pretend that BJ would be super awesome in the UFC just like every other Japanese fighter that can barely keep a job.
 
#51 ·
Never make a post about Fighters under 155 or women. Most here are closed minded and you will constantly have to come here to argue your point. I have seen some of these 100 pounders beat the shit out of mouth Marines in Thailand... It is always good for entertainment. I watch the fights for the fights; not some preconcieved notion of what I feel a fighter should be.
 
#55 ·
also @ rofl who was saying we will start to critisize small football players in the nfl: the difference is that the nfl is open weight and these 160 athletes are up against 250 lb behemoths. they use speed to overcome size which makes it very intrtesting. would you guys watch an nfl division for only 115 to 125 pounders?

Sent from my SGH-I727R using VerticalSports.Com App
 
#58 · (Edited by Moderator)
That really wasn't the point.

In fact it just makes the counter-argument all the more retarded.

If 150lb men can use athleticism to overcome "behemoths" then they shouldn't be discredited when fighting each other.

And God knows they shouldn't be discredited relative to keyboard warriors.


So your logic is that a Strawweight division wouldn't be 'stacked enough' presumably because of the lack of talent, yet you're all for adding a super heavyweight division? Gotta say here, I think a SHW division would be just as weak at this point. Can you explain why you think a SHW division would be a good addition? I'd love to see a Strawweight division added, but I want to see 125 and 135 reach their full potential first.

Sent from my HTC Ruby using VerticalSports.Com App
There's more tantalizing and better Super HWs than Strawweights.

Strawweight barely exists.

Dude i am serious tho. The fighters would be half the size of the refs and the devision wouldnt be stacked enough. Make a super heavyweight first, or sth in between like 230 pounds.

Also i assume you do some training as well, its not totally unreasonable to think that i could take someone more than 100 pounds lighter and over an inch taller...
I am 6'5 220 pounds and if i could get a training camp to get into the perfect shape i could hold them down for a boring decision victory all day long :p
I doubt it.

Royce Gracie was about 160lbs when he choked out men nearing 300lbs and these were trained, elite combat athletes.

You entering a McDojo for a few months isn't going to make you a killer.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top