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http://mmajunkie.com/2017/07/abc-new-weight-classes-mma-165-175-195-225
Weight classes exist in MMA for a single reason: Size matters. How much does size matter? Well, Demetrious Johnson has zero chance against a heavyweight, but we can probably agree that for adjacent weight classes, the size factor isn't that big of a deal at all. (ie: We would expect that elite 145ers would be competitive with elite 155ers, elite 155ers would be competitive with elite 170ers, etc.)
Weight cutting in MMA is the classic prisoners dilemma. Every fighter would be be better off by cooperating, and agreeing to cut no weight at all. However, every individual fighter has the incentive to cut as much weight as possible to have a size advantage. The end result is that everyone ends up cutting weight, everyone suffers the health consequences, and everyone fights the same people they would be fighting if nobody cut weight at all.
And therein lies the problem. There is a built in assumption that more weight classes = less weight cutting. The problem with this reasoning is that it ignores that the prisoners dilemma paradigm remains. Fighters will still have every possible incentive to cut as much weight as possible. Sure, a Johny Hendricks might have benefited from a 175 class, but you'd have just as many guys currently fighting at 170 who'd try to push themselves to 165.
Indeed, arguably, more weight classes encourages even more extreme weight cutting. Consider a pool of 100 fighters who can cut to 170lbs. If you add a 175lb and a 165lb weight class, every single one of those fighters will still have economic the incentive to cut to at least 170. However, a subset of those fighters will be able to cut to 165lbs, and will choose to do so for an added edge.
tldr: If you think MMA needs more weight classes you're a goof. There should probably only be like 4 weight classes in MMA anyways: -135lb, -170lb, -200lb, and over 200lb.
I have underlined the bullshit quote.
Weight classes exist in MMA for a single reason: Size matters. How much does size matter? Well, Demetrious Johnson has zero chance against a heavyweight, but we can probably agree that for adjacent weight classes, the size factor isn't that big of a deal at all. (ie: We would expect that elite 145ers would be competitive with elite 155ers, elite 155ers would be competitive with elite 170ers, etc.)
Weight cutting in MMA is the classic prisoners dilemma. Every fighter would be be better off by cooperating, and agreeing to cut no weight at all. However, every individual fighter has the incentive to cut as much weight as possible to have a size advantage. The end result is that everyone ends up cutting weight, everyone suffers the health consequences, and everyone fights the same people they would be fighting if nobody cut weight at all.
And therein lies the problem. There is a built in assumption that more weight classes = less weight cutting. The problem with this reasoning is that it ignores that the prisoners dilemma paradigm remains. Fighters will still have every possible incentive to cut as much weight as possible. Sure, a Johny Hendricks might have benefited from a 175 class, but you'd have just as many guys currently fighting at 170 who'd try to push themselves to 165.
Indeed, arguably, more weight classes encourages even more extreme weight cutting. Consider a pool of 100 fighters who can cut to 170lbs. If you add a 175lb and a 165lb weight class, every single one of those fighters will still have economic the incentive to cut to at least 170. However, a subset of those fighters will be able to cut to 165lbs, and will choose to do so for an added edge.
tldr: If you think MMA needs more weight classes you're a goof. There should probably only be like 4 weight classes in MMA anyways: -135lb, -170lb, -200lb, and over 200lb.
