MMA news updates

Instead of spamming the boards everytime I see some cool news, I’ll post it here. I’ll also keep track of prospects I like, new signings to ufc/dwcs/Bellator/etc.

* Edited at 05.02.2022, 4:44 PM ET *

Lok dog vs Bernardo Sopaj?

Yes

But Sopaj is/was(?) booked to fight on March 9 already. Guess that fight won't happen at  AFN 5 .

Yeah that fight is cancelled. Tbh he was likely going to be signed after that fight regardless so nothing changes. I rate Sopai very highly, I think winner of this fight gets a huge push from ufc 

Rafael Fiziev says he has heard that the UFC are seriously looking into creating a 165 lb. division. Would be super interesting if that’s true.

I personally hope they don’t do that, especially if it’s so that Conor can win a third belt 

* Edited at 02.27.2024, 1:35 PM ET *

It would also call for 170 to become 175, and Khamzat could potentially go back down. Plus, Chandler throwing a wrench in the gears by lighting up mac would make for some interesting title defenses to kickstart the division.

The only new rule the UFC should adopt is not having more than one Apex event per month.

@Cozstradamus 

. You can say that again

Interesting comments from Fiziev.

If the UFC is seriously considering a 165lbs title, Chandler vs. Conor is almost certainly the fight. If we continue to try to read the tea leaves here, this fight is likely to happen in the sphere in Vegas at UFC Noche later this year.

Why would an Irish vs American fight headline an event for the Mexicans? Mcgregor vs chandler is one of those fights that’s either gonna be in T-mobile or MSG 

I could see the UFC adding a 225lbs division as well at some point and closing the gap between light heavyweight and heavyweight, much like how it is in ONE.

Ankalaev/Petrino/Murzakanov=205 
Walker/Hill/Spann=225
Aspinall/Blaydes/Spivac=265

Adding 2 new belts would create lots of new fights and storylines. I think the promotion certainly has the roster talent to start a split like this at lightweight. There are more lightweights on the roster than any other division if I'm not mistaken.

Dana is just on record multiple times saying that cards going to be absolutely stacked. You're probably right. I was thinking MSG at the end of the year would be Bones vs. Stipe, but didn't think about T-Mobile. It's more about the sphere just being a historic event and having Conor on it debuting a new title. The co-main could be Ortega and Topuria for example. But again, you're probably right.

I'm not sure it makes sense to have more divisions at the heavier end since those already have smaller roster and fewer good fighters within the rosters. Same as how 145 have made WMMA worse on average for the UFC than without it. A 225 division would steal away some talent from HW like Jailton Almeida and others that could make 225, people like Volkov that weighs in at 240 could reasonably get there as well.

*** happened to Chris barnett, dudes just not gonna fight again he’s 37 now 

@Calfoth 

Barnett was supposed to face Mohammad Usman in March 23rd but got replaced by Mick Parkin

He pulled out of the fight

* Edited at 02.27.2024, 11:59 PM ET *

If they bring in a division especially 165 since that’s what’s  being talked about you don’t give 2 guys who are on losing streaks the shot to fight for it you do a 8 man tournament for it that’s the only way the first champion would be legit and considered a real world champion because no one is ever going to think Conor or chandler are a champion if they just fight for that belt. Also you obviously would move welterweight up to 175 I don’t see the need for a 225 division heavyweight and light heavyweight are the weakest divisions horrible idea there 

Do you actually think if the UFC puts on a 165lbs title fight between Chandler and McGregor that the majority of MMA fans will eternally reject it because "they didn't hold a proper tournament"? If the UFC is making up the belt, they can do whatever they want. And if they're throwing McGregor into it, people will watch. 

As I said myself, the talent isn't there to support adding another larger division. I think IF they did that, it would depend on if they want to keep the same sort of structure now that once you hit WW, the weight classes start to increase by 15lbs. If they bump 170 to 175, does MW become 190? Would the weight class I'm talking about be 225 or 215? That's the kind of stuff the UFC would have to figure out. That idea would be a long way off. 

To be honest, after sleeping on it, I'm fine with the UFC not changing anything and these just being rumors. I like the weight classes the way they are, but I could definitely see why the discussions are happening.

I’m just shocked there are people that are actually okay with them changing weight classes. I think it’s an awful idea and will just create a bigger, more log jammed second division. It’s also going to increase the already extremely annoying double champion callouts. Also imagine a divison with Colby, poirier, gaethje, chandler, and more? Nothing would get done because all these guys want to do is talk and hold the division up 

Instead of 165 being a serious division they should just relegate the stars of 155/170 to there so they can stop holding onto rankings and let the serious fighters continue to rise up 

* Edited at 02.28.2024, 7:53 AM ET *

@AyyLmaonnaise 

everyone you named are a few fights away from retirement so I don’t think that would matter over a long period I’m not calling for a new Division I just gave my take on if there was they should only do a tournament to get its first champion