RedRocket44

I would say a minimum of 5-6 title defenses within the UFC, depending on the quality of fights. I'm on the fence if Aldos WEC defenses should be counted or not.

I think it will be a long time before you have 'dominant' champs in the 125, 135, 145 and 155 divisions.

It's too easy for these fighters to move around in divisions, 10 pounds either way isn't a big deal for guys at this level.

I just watched "Fightville" the other night (really good documentary) which focuses on Dustin Porier. The kid fought at 155 the whole time he was on the local circuit, then dropped down to featherweight after just two fights in the WEC.

I believe there are two reasons for that;
1. No 145 division on most local circuits (not enough depth at that level to have those divisions)
2. He's not the biggest guy at 155, so the decision to drop down was probably easy.

He's ranked the #10 featherweight in the world, but I don't think he would have cracked the top 10 at lightweight this early, he was only 1-1 before he dropped down.

I think we will see a lot of #2-5 contenders at 155 drop down to 145 if they lose against the champion. Same at 145, if somebody loses their title shot, they will drop down to 135 and challenge for the belt there.

It seems too easy to move around divisions for those guys, and I see it being very hard to retain a belt.

On paper it looks like you have 4 divisions between 125 and 155, but with the way these guys can move around in divisions, it's probably closer to having one or two divisions with a lot more depth.

killua

I don't think the champ's level of domination is a deciding factor in what is good or bad for the UFC (I assume you mean UFC and not MMA in general for the purpose of this thread).

People are happy to watch someone at the peak of their game, dominating the competition through once in a generation abilities. The problem is when you have dominant champions because the rest of the competition is perceived as being weak, not because the champion is considered especially gifted.

jonnyg4508

It is just as hard for those guys to go from 145 to 135 as it is for a 185er to go to 170. Those little guys have less mass to cut off of. Guy's like Maia and Sexyama were thick 185ers, who had some flab/muscle to lose. A guy like Rashad could go to 185 no probelm.

The reason why there are a lot of fighters moving around at lower weights is because there were never established UFC divisions at those weights. A guy like Frankie want to be in the UFC and the UFC had no 145 division. A guy like Mighty Mouse and Joe B moved were small 135er, but there was no 125 division at the time...so they had to fight up in weight. Guys who are cutting it at 155 are moving to 145 because they can now. That is why there is so much movement. Because of more oppurtunity, fighters can fight at weights they belong at now.

Joabbuac

I dont think there is any doubt that the WEC should be counted for lower weights.