Fighters Strategically Moving up Weight Classes

[Jose Beehive]

Do you think both Izzy and Jones' moves were just coincidentally right after DC retired and coincidentally right after KHAMZAT was considered to be the real deal & called Izzy out?

Maybe one of the two moves could be a coincidence but not both, no way.

Jones hasn't officially moved yet though, I don't see why DC is a factor when the guy who best him 2 out of 3 times is still Champ.. between Stipe and Jones there's 4 wins and 1 loss to DC, nothing to be afraid of.

Izzy I think goes for the money legacy options ahead of who's the current hype man calling folks out, could make the same arguement he's ducking Holland.. Ducking Holland and Khamzat isnt tangible when he's opting to fight Polish Power for a belt instead... Not to mention he's never ducked anyone and already cleared the division.

 

[runjay]

So you have a bald chin like a female? LOL gtfo

I actually have a trim and proper mustache, as most virile men tend too. I don’t however need an unkempt patch of hair to hide my (in this case, your) weak jawline. Nor do I feel the need to be one of those obnoxious types whom find acceptance and identity by having said unkempt hobo look. But you do you , boo.

 

[Deleted member 110072]

Couture moved up to HW when Tim Sylvia KO Arlovski.
GSP moving up to MW against Bisping

He moved up when he found out Tim was injuried and needed back sugery then got the UFC to pressure him into fighting hurt with the threat of being stripped if he didnt.

 

[SakurabasEar]

So many people in denial about Izzy ducking Khamzat. Smh who can blame him?

Khamzat would move up to LHW if izzy refuses to move down

 

[bubbleboyjones]

He moved up when he found out Tim was injuried and needed back sugery then got the UFC to pressure him into fighting hurt with the threat of being stripped if he didnt.

I thought Tim got the back injury a few weeks before the fight.....way after they signed the bout agreement.

 

[Deleted member 110072]

I thought Tim got the back injury a few weeks before the fight.....way after they signed the bout agreement.

The story I'v often heard is he had it when training at Xtreme Couture and Randy heard about it and asked for the fight.

Looking it up the fight was only announced two months before it happened.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

I felt like Jon Jones moved up because he knows his time is up at LHW. He's barely getting by these days with those razor close decisions. I think the moment DC beat Stipe is the moment he saw opportunity to move up. ie IF 40 year old out of shape DC could move up and beat the champion so could I, which btw isn't too far fetched.

 

[Doug Money]

Couture moved up to HW when Tim Sylvia KO Arlovski.
GSP moving up to MW against Bisping

This is the correct answer

 

[bubbleboyjones]

The story I'v often heard is he had it when training at Xtreme Couture and Randy heard about it and asked for the fight.

Looking it up the fight was only announced two months before it happened.

I looked it up now....Tim said it occurred a month before the fight and UFC was actually negotiating to have Sylvia vs Brendan Vera but UFC wouldn't sign it because Vera was on his last fight and wanted too much money. I would be extremely doubtful that Couture heard Sylvia injured his back has any truth. Sylvia fought Nov 2006 and UFC would not strip him because of refusing to sign a fight in Jan with a back injury. UFC can be tough but they are not complete monsters making champs defend the belt injured within 4 months.

It bothered me a month before the fight and when it got this bad, I should have just pulled out so they could find a replacement or reschedule.”

https://www.mmaweekly.com/sylvia-has-back-surgery-looking-to-future-2


https://web.archive.org/web/2007031...plates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3251&zoneid=13

 

[chs140]

In this year alone we saw JJ move up to HW as soon as DC retired, and Israel moving up to LHW as soon as KHAMZAT got his 3rd UFC win, cementing his threat to both WW and MW titles.

Other than Jones ducking HW DC and Israel avoiding KHAMZAT, are there examples you've seen of fighters "coincidentally" changing weight classes as soon as there's a new threat? (Or in Jones' case as soon as his biggest threat retired?)

Your shtick is unbelievably stupid.
How is this dipshit not banned for spam?

 

[JKS]

In this year alone we saw JJ move up to HW as soon as DC retired, and Israel moving up to LHW as soon as KHAMZAT got his 3rd UFC win, cementing his threat to both WW and MW titles.

Other than Jones ducking HW DC and Israel avoiding KHAMZAT, are there examples you've seen of fighters "coincidentally" changing weight classes as soon as there's a new threat? (Or in Jones' case as soon as his biggest threat retired?)

Islam Makachev in 2022 transitioning to women's LW after he transitions. Dana will make a division just for him. Cyborg vs Islam for the WLW title.

 

[chinarice]

In this year alone we saw JJ move up to HW as soon as DC retired, and Israel moving up to LHW as soon as KHAMZAT got his 3rd UFC win, cementing his threat to both WW and MW titles.

Other than Jones ducking HW DC and Israel avoiding KHAMZAT, are there examples you've seen of fighters "coincidentally" changing weight classes as soon as there's a new threat? (Or in Jones' case as soon as his biggest threat retired?)

Khabib also conveniently retires within 6 months of Khamzat arriving on the scene... He feared the smesh too.

 

[bjpenngoat]

I don't think bones is scared of ngannou its the opposite. I think bones is scared of the lhws. They are getting closer to his level based on skill speed strength and game plan. He no longer has advantages he used to have. Its going to be easier for him to mitigate damage from a slower opponent than contend with fast skillful assassins.
The best open weight fighters are bj, anderson, hendo, couture, moussasi, minowa and kaoklai.

The worst is gsp because you fight once against a one eyed aging 40 year old cyclops doesn't make you an open weight fighter. We could say that Georges is an open weight fighter based on punching down against Ivan menjivar, matt serra and even bj.

 

[Stevie Hertz]

dunno if jj moved to hw after courmier retired. a lot fo the times fighters just move up for financial and biological reasons. hw is the glamour division.

 

[gatorbear]

Asshat thread for sure

 

[Ackmed]

Khabib also conveniently retires within 6 months of Khamzat arriving on the scene... He feared the smesh too.

They were different weight classes so that doesn't make sense but they are both incredible fighters and Muslim

 

[chinarice]

They were different weight classes so that doesn't make sense but they are both incredible fighters and Muslim

Khabib knew there was a chance Khamzat would decide he felt like becoming 3 weight class champ and got out while the getting was good. It's ok. Lord Khamzat bless.

 

[Bumhead]

I actually have a trim and proper mustache, as most virile men tend too. I don’t however need an unkempt patch of hair to hide my (in this case, your) weak jawline. Nor do I feel the need to be one of those obnoxious types whom find acceptance and identity by having said unkempt hobo look. But you do you , boo.

By “proper” moustache you mean that ugly ass hipster look. a longer moustache than a beard always looks shit. Not that I have a personal problem with anyone who chooses to “sport” that look LOL. I’ll keep doing me and you can remain a hipster

 

[Ackmed]

I don't see why DC is a factor

Don't take my word for it, just listen to what Jones himself said (about a year before DC retired) when asked whether he would move to HW to face DC or not.

 

[Jose Beehive]

Don't take my word for it, just listen to what Jones himself said (about a year before DC retired) when asked whether he would move to HW to face DC or not.

Both said they didn't want that fight at HW. It was never a fight anyone cared much for, Stipe would have got the nod every time anyway.

It's not fathomable to me a guy who won 2/2 times ducking that same guy.