Do you think there will come a time when MMA gets as many weight classes as boxing?

[BIG]

Right now, other than light and super heavyweight, there are no "light -weight" or "super -weight" classes in MMA, but in boxing I think every uniquely named weight class (bantam, feather, welter, etc) have them. Do you think it will come to that point in MMA? And do you think the UFC will start adding more weight classes in the next 10 years?

 

[Dante]

Boxing has way to many weight classes. that is why you have boxers who have titles in 6 divisions. Because you can change your weight by 15 pounds and fight in 8 divisions.

 

[jinglehimer36]

I really hope not. One of the reasons boxing went downhill was b/c of too many weight classes. There aren't enough good heavyweights in boxing or MMA to really justify a class in between LHW and HW. Maybe in 10 years, this could be new weights:

135- BW
145- FW
155- LW
167- WW
180- MW
195- LHW
215- CW
215-275- HW

 

[callsignfuzzy]

"Do you think it will come to that point in MMA?"

Not for a while, at least. Being a hybrid sport, MMA draws from numerous sources to create its rules and regulations. I think it's safe to say that boxing has too many weight classes, while other combat sports may not have enough. I think we'll see more intermediate weight classes being introduced in the next decade or so, but for the foreseeable future, I think we're still looking at less than pro boxing.

"And do you think the UFC will start adding more weight classes in the next 10 years?"

There's been talk of a merger with WEC for a while. This would give them Featherweight on down. I don't think it's a particularly good idea, for a couple of reasons, but it does seem like a probable occurrence. So yes, I can see Zuffa dissolving the WEC and bringing smaller fighters into the UFC in the next ten years. Probably sooner than later.

 

[Eric]

MMA does have lighter weight classes. The WEC and Bellator, for example, both feature featherweights (145) and bantamweights (135). Some organizations do have flyweights (125), but they are not common.

In terms of adding weight classes, the only possible one I would like to see added to MMA would be a cruiserweight of about 235 pounds. I think 206-265 is too large a gap for the heavyweight division. Other than that, I think things are fine. Boxing is ridiculous with all its weight classes. The more weight classes you have, the less each belt means.

In terms of the UFC adding weight classes, I don't see it happening in the near future. Zuffa owns both the UFC and WEC, so many think a merger is likely at some point. Zuffa, however, seems to be content with their current business model for the time being. It will probably happen at some point, but I wouldn't expect anything for another couple years.