How and why did FWs get so big?

[det_regnar_på_vår_kärlek]

I don't think any other weightclass has experienced such a pronounced increase in size when comparing the old and new guards. When Cub fought Renato Moicano they seemed two classes apart. Not long ago, your average FW was between 5'6'' - 5'8'' and now there are several who are 5'11'' or taller. Zabit is 6'1''. Kinda unbelieveable really.
Obviously height =/= size, but the size difference between old and new FWs is remarkable. It's a whole new landscape in this weightclass.

Old guard:

New guard:

 

[yekmurat]

For the love of the money

 

[Drunken Bobby]

USA! DA

 

[felmmando]

Just a digression: I couldn't help wondering why the photo of Holloway with Cormier is of markedly lower quality than the others you posted, some of which are notably clear and distinct.

 

[loyalyolayal]

Just a digression: I couldn't help wondering why the photo of Holloway with Cormier is of markedly lower quality than the others you posted, some of which are notably clear and distinct.

Probably screenshots.

 

[DeathStroke]

Are they actually getting bigger? Or just training height?

 

[JabToucher]

Stealing what little glory there is from the manlets!

 

[KingKong113]

I don't think any other weightclass has experienced such a pronounced increase in size when comparing the old and new guards. When Cub fought Renato Moicano they seemed two classes apart. Not long ago, your average FW was between 5'6'' - 5'8'' and now there are several who are 5'11'' or taller. Zabit is 6'1''. Kinda unbelieveable really.
Obviously height =/= size, but the size difference between old and new FWs is remarkable. It's a whole new landscape in this weightclass.

Old guard:

New guard:

JESUS. MAX HOLLOWAY STANDING NEXT TO DANIEL CORMIER REALLY SHOWS YOU THEY WEREN'T KIDDING WHEN THEY SAID HE WALKS AROUND CLOSE TO 190 POUNDS. WOWZERS!

 

[Phillyz]

6"3 Luis Pena plans on cutting to FW his next fight.. they're only getting bigger

 

[blaseblah]

I don't think any other weightclass has experienced such a pronounced increase in size when comparing the old and new guards. When Cub fought Renato Moicano they seemed two classes apart. Not long ago, your average FW was between 5'6'' - 5'8'' and now there are several who are 5'11'' or taller. Zabit is 6'1''. Kinda unbelieveable really.
Obviously height =/= size, but the size difference between old and new FWs is remarkable. It's a whole new landscape in this weightclass.

Old guard:

New guard:

Shorter and more muscular vs. taller and leaner. Look how dang skinny the second group is.

 

[TUFNewb]

It all started with The McChinist

 

[AndrewGolota48]

At one time Sean Sherk was considered to be a gargantuan 155 because he walked around as high as 180. But I think 145 may take the cake indeed.

 

[Cam Zink]

Are they actually getting bigger? Or just training height?

at the shane carwin mma academy lol

 

[aus101]

Because short fighters (like faber) used to bulk up and fight at 145.

No reason why a FW can’t cut 20 pounds and walk around 165-170. A 5’9-5’11 guy can still carry some decent muscle at that size in lean condition.

5’10, 72 inch reach, 165 pounds lean is gonna be better sized than 5’6, 67 inch reach at 160.

 

[Rum]

The Conor effect.

 

[det_regnar_på_vår_kärlek]

Shorter and more muscular vs. taller and leaner. Look how dang skinny the second group is.

Renato looked like Cub's big brother teaching him a lesson:

 

[dildos]

It’s all lightings and angles.

 

[The Half Blood Prince]

Says height doesn't equal size yet uses height as an argument for claiming that FWs are bigger

The way u can tell if they are bigger is by looking at their natural weight or the weight they rehydrate to come fight day. You didn't even say that. They probs weight around the same anyway, as u can see those shorter fighters like Mendes are more bulkier

 

[Area809]

Simple at one point the ufc did away with 155, so if you wanted to be in the ufc you had to fight at 170. At one point there was no 145 in the ufc, so if you wanted to fight in the ufc, you had to fight at 155. Now you have those weightclasses, so the fighters have those options. 10 years ago, Max might’ve opted to fight at 155 to be in the ufc.

 

[moreorless87]

It tends to happen in every division over time, LHW for example shifted from guys like Shogun, Rashad and Machida to guys like Gus, Jones and Davis.