UnderGround Forum >> Why does the HW div have a upper weight limit?

Dogmeat 1 -

shady lane - 

Kinkle - What fighter is this limit keeping out of the UFC?

Like I said I'm not thinking of anyone in particular just wondering why the UFC would limit themselves in this way.

The UFC did not create the current weight classes although they were in part based on the ones the UFC was using at the time. When the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board created the unified rules of mixed martial arts they also decided on the current weight classes. Olympic wrestling limits super heavyweights to 264 lbs (120kg) as well so it seems fairly likely that is where the board got their heavyweight limits from.

The superheavyweight division has always been unnecessary and the UFC has only ever staged a single fight in that division to my knowledge. Superheavyweight is pretty much the only division in which the fighters are obviously inferior to the ones in the weight class below. The fact that there isn't even a single notable sueprheavyweight fighter who can't easily make heavyweight (sadly Bob Sapp and Hong Man Choi are still likely the most prominent of the pure SHW fighters) shows just how pointless the division is.

im still in for a cruiser weight and then a capaless heavyweight div.

mxmma - I bet people might be suprised to see it but i bet a 300 pound guy could win the heavyweight title if there were no cap, like a nfl style athlete or even a heavier collegiate wrestler could pull it off. I say shorten the bouts to three minute rounds for heavyweights as well to provide more action imo.

a 300 pound "NFL style athlete", usually has a lot of fat on him.

If they were in fighting shape they would weigh significantly less than that and could easily make the weight limit.

The only reason to be above that weight is if a guy is like 6'8 and ripped or a 7 footer like Schilt.

a 265 limit makes the big guys watch their weight, I would rather see bigfoot stay in shape to make the 265 cut, than come in weighing 300.

A close to 300 lb man could also potentially make the weight. There are a lot of guys in smaller divisions that cut 20+ pounds, i have no knowledge of weight cutting, but i would assume a bigger guy can generally cut more weight just based on body percentages.

Even so, you have guys coming in weight 280-285 like lesnar, bigfoot etc.

Mike Morris -

jasonhightower -

BKViper - What they need is the 225 Cruiser weight division (before we need 115 Dana) and then take the cap off HW.

This!

This is the correct answer.

Wicked smahtMF - insert <not sure if serious> gif

I think people forget how as little as 3 years ago, people disregarded the HW division as woefully thin and needing large amounts of talent.

Now that it's finally starting to get a little deep, you want to take 65% of the division, make them cut to 225, and have a division with the 35% who are above 250? (made up stats, but quick count in my head puts it around that).

Even if it were 50/50, the HW division is not even close to deep enough to suffer the CW/HW split.

So in theory, with 30 more fighters, it might be plausible.

In today's HW talent pool, it is not.

Chael is the next LHW champ - I agree they need to get rid of the 265lbs limit.

Im sure there are guys that physically couldnt cut to 265lbs. For example, what if one of those 6'8'' 350lbs guys in those strong man competitions (or someone with the same build) wanted to fight and had the physical ability and cardio to compete?

It would make the HW division a lot more interesting

UGCTT_buchu8oolong - 

Mike Morris -

jasonhightower -

BKViper - What they need is the 225 Cruiser weight division (before we need 115 Dana) and then take the cap off HW.

This!

This is the correct answer.

This. And it would make it easier for 205 fighters on the larger side to transition up. Division would be stacked.

Butterbean vs JDS, let's make it happen

Chael is the next LHW champ - I agree they need to get rid of the 265lbs limit.

Im sure there are guys that physically couldnt cut to 265lbs. For example, what if one of those 6'8'' 350lbs guys in those strong man competitions (or someone with the same build) wanted to fight and had the physical ability and cardio to compete?

It would make the HW division a lot more interesting