Joe Rogan recently discussed the potential benefits of the UFC adding more weight classes to their roster. Currently, the UFC has 12 weight classes, with eight for men and four for women. Fighters must make weight within the specified limits before their bouts, or risk facing penalties such as forfeiting a percentage of their purse money or having the fight canceled.
Despite the existing 12 weight classes, only four fighters have held two belts simultaneously in the UFC. While Conor McGregor, Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes achieved this feat, other fighters like Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev were forced to vacate their belts before moving up to capture championships in higher weight classes.
During an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast with Terence Crawford, Rogan emphasized the importance of adding more weight classes in MMA. He expressed his belief that having more weight classes would lead to less extreme weight cutting, healthier fighters, and more competitive fights. Rogan pointed out that currently, only a few fighters have managed to hold titles in multiple weight classes, and expanding the options could open up opportunities for more champions.
Rogan also suggested the idea of having a weight class every ten pounds for men in MMA. He mentioned the significant jump from middleweight to light heavyweight as “bananas” and proposed a more gradual progression between weight divisions. By having a weight class every ten pounds, Rogan believes that fighters would have more opportunities to compete in divisions that suit their natural weight and abilities.
The addition of more weight classes in the UFC could potentially lead to a more diverse pool of champions and a healthier competition environment. Rogan’s insights highlight the importance of reevaluating the current weight class structure in MMA to create a more inclusive and sustainable system for fighters.
In conclusion, Joe Rogan’s thoughts on the advantages of adding more weight classes in the UFC shed light on the potential benefits for fighters, the promotion, and the sport as a whole. By expanding the weight class options, MMA could see a positive shift towards a more competitive and healthier landscape for all athletes involved.
