[Rar]

It seems these days UFC is ramping up the frequency of PPVs and UFNs, and with Chuck and Franklin injured, they have already had some problems with not having enough healthy champs to have title fights each PPV.

Once the LW division is well-established, do you see any chance of the UFC introducing a featherweight division in the foreseeable future? Mark Hominick asked for it after his win over Yves, and Rogan kinda gave him the shut-the-hell-up "I'm sure we'll see a 145 pound division in the future" answer. But in reality, will it happen?

I would love to see it, but I'm guessing it depends highly on whether or not the general audience (the TUF fans, not hardcore MMA fans) enjoy the LW division.

Thoughts and opinions?

[JKS]

I would say never.

[housejohnson]

The real question is when will the UFC run the five (giving them credit for restarting the Lightweight title) divisions they have properly? When will we see real heavyweight competition, when will they import some Light Heavyweight contenders instead of rehashing old matches, when will they actually get some talent in the Middleweight Division, and after Hughes defeats St. Pierre again who will they find to challenge Hughes? Dana mismanages the divisions he has now, why give him any more?

[Rar]

Good point, housejohnson.

[JWNewOrleans]

why would you say never? if 155 goes well, there are lots of 145'ers who are very exciting to watch

[Hanoi Rox]

I would love to see a 145 division. Anyone who's ever werstled knows that the best, most exciting, athletes are in the lower weight classes. The problem is that 5 weight classes is already a lot for a casual fan to follow. I mean the lightweight division got cut due to lack of interest. I think it's going to be a long while before mainstream MMA can support 6 divisions.

UFC could always get rid of the HW division. That could help free up some air time/cash.

[JWNewOrleans]

Originally Posted by housejohnson

The real question is when will the UFC run the five (giving them credit for restarting the Lightweight title) divisions they have properly? When will we see real heavyweight competition, when will they import some Light Heavyweight contenders instead of rehashing old matches, when will they actually get some talent in the Middleweight Division, and after Hughes defeats St. Pierre again who will they find to challenge Hughes? Dana mismanages the divisions he has now, why give him any more?

the heavyweight and light heavy divisions are definitely suspect at the moment but how can you question the WW and MW divisions? MW is rapidly improving, with fighters liek leben, swick, David Terrell, and marquardt making names for themselves and bringing in guys like silva. Not to mention having Rich Franklin you really cant say its not improving. And as far as WW and who will face hughes after GSP ooo i dunno maybe Bj Penn, Diego Sanchez, Karo Parysian. Seriously how can you say anything is wrong with the WW division?

[Rar]

The thing is, UFC exploded between when the FW division got cut and now... with so many more fans, and the need to fill more PPVs with title matches, I think it very unlikely they would cut the LW division again... and the FW division is a possibility if the UFC keeps growing.

But maybe they should concentrate instead on building a good stable of fighters, so they can have more important and exciting non-title fights (like GSP-Penn).

[housejohnson]

Originally Posted by JWNewOrleans

the heavyweight and light heavy divisions are definitely suspect at the moment but how can you question the WW and MW divisions? MW is rapidly improving, with fighters liek leben, swick, David Terrell, and marquardt making names for themselves and bringing in guys like silva. Not to mention having Rich Franklin you really cant say its not improving. And as far as WW and who will face hughes after GSP ooo i dunno maybe Bj Penn, Diego Sanchez, Karo Parysian. Seriously how can you say anything is wrong with the WW division?

The middleweight division is just a personal opinion as I have been less than impressed with the competition and really do not feel Franklin is that tough of a champion. Improving? I'll give you that.

As for the Welterweight division, it is clearly the most talented in the UFC, and I did not make the case that there was no talent in the division, just that they were runnig out of people to challenge Hughes. Penn seemed to have lost a step or two when he fought Pierre, Diego Sanchez? a challenge to Matt Hughes?, Parysian I would enjoy watching against Hughes, but I think Hughes is too strong of a grappler for Parysian. The division is full of talent, I just feel Hughes is that much above the competition.