
Wanderlei Silva seems to think so. While discussing his 195-pound catchweight bout against Rich Franklin that will headline UFC 99 (June 13th; Cologne, Germany), he told MMA Junkie the following:
You know what they call mixed martial artists who walk around at 210 pounds? Middleweights. Some of the UFC’s top 185′ers, including Anderson Silva and Nate Marquardt (as well as Rich Franklin before he left the middleweight division), reportedly weigh in the 215-220 range between fights. Wanderlei Silva’s "situation" is that he’s smaller than most light-heavyweights, and cutting weight sucks. That’s pretty much it.
At this point, installing more weight classes in the UFC wouldn’t do anything besides dilute the talent pool, and a super-middleweight class would only be useful in providing Wanderlei Silva with another venue to fight for a championship belt — because it didn’t work out for him in the light-heavyweight division, and Anderson Silva owns the middleweight class, so that’s not really an option either. It kind of sounds like Wandy is already psyching himself out for the eventual cut to 185. If he loses to Franklin in June, he may decide that it’s not even worth it.








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commentsPersonally, I think the Spyder would own the LHW division as well, should he make the move full time. Even the LHW "champ" Evans, his only strength would be to take A. Silva to a place where he's dangerous as hell (the ground).
Though I don't agree with the whole "legends" category... there's too few fighters that would qualify as such. However, an "open" division leaves endless potential matchups should the two fighters agree to terms. Similar to old school UFC with the current rules.
If Wanderlei can't cut it in LHW, or can't hold the title in MW, it's his problem. He can deal with it, or move on.
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 10:11
TUF Guy's mouth weights 200lbs after im all bunched up in his grill......
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Congrats, you just came out of the closet on a MMA comment section.
Now I am thinking about how you could do this for Hughes, and I could even see a super-fight added where Hughes takes on Dennis Hallman, to close out the one major blemish on his career (I don't consider losses to BJ Penn and GSP huge blemishes, and it is clear he was already on the downslide during the Alves loss). Or even a Hughes vs. Parisyan match a couple years down the road, for the title fight that never happened. And Hughes could always get people to watch him choke out Frank Trigg again.
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 08:46
Wouldn't Anderson Silva just dominate this new division also?
If anything, they should create a "legends" division where popular fighters can go to relive old rivalries and remain relevant.
Guys like Liddell and Wanderlei aren't going to remain contenders forever...at least it would give them a place to still fight and make money.
It'd be like the Senior PGA tour...except with less sympathy."
^what he said^
Cruiserweight division = 225
Heavy Weight Division = 230-265
This is the only change that needs to be made.
TUF Guy actually commented on something without flaming. That ferret in your ass must have been good to you this morning eh big guy!
You could even create a legends title if it makes you feel happy.
Go get some, OK?
Sure, your farts will smell like rancid horse meat, but I have a feeling that your gaseous emitions aren't exactly smellin' like roses to begin with.
...just a hunch.
If anything, they should create a "legends" division where popular fighters can go to relive old rivalries and remain relevant.
Guys like Liddell and Wanderlei aren't going to remain contenders forever...at least it would give them a place to still fight and make money.
It'd be like the Senior PGA tour...except with less sympathy.
While I am not for a different weight class for every 5 lbs, I see no problem with breaking up the 20 lbs difference between MW and LHW.
I'm all for using catch weights for fighters who agree to do so.
The only division that might need separating is HW. 206-265 is a bit too much of a spread. I'd like to see it cut in half. But if that never happens, it wouldn't bother me a bit.
Just say "NO!" to additional weight classes. Don't let MMA get diluted like boxing.
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