The real problem with the Flyweight division

[bigma]

It's not that these are manlets, etc., that makes these fights unappealing. The problem is the lack of talent outside of the champion. The division is dominated by fast, technical fighters who don't typically try to finish fights. MM makes his fights exciting DESPITE facing inferior, unexciting competition. It's the rest of the division that is lagging. I think it will eventually come around.

 

[muaytao]

Blame ufc for not doing a better job recruiting 125ers plenty out there

 

[muaythaibeast]

Lack of talent? 2 of the top 10 fighters in the history of MMA are there and neither are champion. Add Korean Zombie and you've possibly got the most exciting guy in MMA too, and Swanson goes all out for a finish most of the time. I'd say 145 is the best top 5 in the sport

 

[bigma]

Lack of talent? 2 of the top 10 fighters in the history of MMA are there and neither are champion. Add Korean Zombie and you've possibly got the most exciting guy in MMA too, and Swanson goes all out for a finish most of the time. I'd say 145 is the best top 5 in the sport

Clearly talking about 125, not 145. Though I think 145 is probably the 3rd most talented division behind 155 and 170. At 145 you have a lot of decent fighters eating each other. Apart from Aldo and Edgar, I think the division is good but not great.

 

[LukeSkyRutten]

It's not that these are manlets, etc., that makes these fights unappealing. The problem is the lack of talent outside of the champion. The division is dominated by fast, technical fighters who don't typically try to finish fights. MM makes his fights exciting DESPITE facing inferior, unexciting competition. It's the rest of the division that is lagging. I think it will eventually come around.

Why? How many men of that size exist on planet earth that aren't 15? It will never have deep competition.

 

[bigma]

Why? How many men of that size exist on planet earth that aren't 15? It will never have deep competition.

I really have no idea if this is true. It may be. Unfortunately, there are no talent recruiters in mma like other sports and very little incentive for true athletes to pursue it as a career choice.

 

[LukeSkyRutten]

I really have no idea if this is true. It may be. Unfortunately, there are no talent recruiters in mma like other sports and very little incentive for true athletes to pursue it as a career choice.

MMA should be able to scoop up every elite man of this size because really? What other sport could they do? Football? Basketball? Rugby? NFL? Track? Tennis? No man of around 5'5 and 135/140lb [Before a cut] would even be in the ball park of making a professional team in another sport [Outside maybe one or two very rare exceptions].

 

[bigma]

MMA should be able to scoop up every elite man of this size because really? What other sport could they do? Football? Basketball? Rugby? NFL? Track? Tennis? No man of around 5'5 and 135/140lb [Before a cut] would even be in the ball park of making a professional team in another sport [Outside maybe one or two very rare exceptions].

You're forgetting about that majority of the population that aren't attracted to an occupation that puts you close to the poverty line. Especially given the low esteem given to the entire division.

 

[muaythaibeast]

Clearly talking about 125, not 145. Though I think 145 is probably the 3rd most talented division behind 155 and 170. At 145 you have a lot of decent fighters eating each other. Apart from Aldo and Edgar, I think the division is good but not great.

Sorry, misread the title. Yeah 125 is shit.

 

[muaythaibeast]

MMA should be able to scoop up every elite man of this size because really? What other sport could they do? Football? Basketball? Rugby? NFL? Track? Tennis? No man of around 5'5 and 135/140lb [Before a cut] would even be in the ball park of making a professional team in another sport [Outside maybe one or two very rare exceptions].

Football is by far and away the biggest sport on the planet, and the best player is 5'6 and would cut to BW if he was in MMA. Cricket is probably the next biggest sport and Sachin Tendulkar was about 5'5 and one of the greatest players of all time.
There's plenty of options out there for the smaller guys

 

[Big_Chief_Stove]

It's not that these are manlets, etc., that makes these fights unappealing. The problem is the lack of talent outside of the champion. The division is dominated by fast, technical fighters who don't typically try to finish fights. MM makes his fights exciting DESPITE facing inferior, unexciting competition. It's the rest of the division that is lagging. I think it will eventually come around.

Cejudo is super talented, MM is just that good. You think he's fighting cans or something ?

 

[Big_Chief_Stove]

Football is by far and away the biggest sport on the planet, and the best player is 5'6 and would cut to BW if he was in MMA. Cricket is probably the next biggest sport and Sachin Tendulkar was about 5'5 and one of the greatest players of all time.
There's plenty of options out there for the smaller guys

The world needs Horse Jockeys too

 

[LukeSkyRutten]

Football is by far and away the biggest sport on the planet, and the best player is 5'6 and would cut to BW if he was in MMA. Cricket is probably the next biggest sport and Sachin Tendulkar was about 5'5 and one of the greatest players of all time.
There's plenty of options out there for the smaller guys

That is two of the biggest outliers in world sport and they still don't make the 125lb division.

 

[muaythaibeast]

That is two of the biggest outliers in world sport and they still don't make the 125lb division.

A quick search for the biggest sports in the world gave me football, cricket, hockey and tennis as the top 4. I don't know anything about hockey, but for the other 3 size isn't really an advantage.
There's no doubt a fair number of footballers out there that could cut to 125

 

[MMA]

There's no problem with the flyweight division. It's bad ass.



I think it's you who has the problem

 

[molest]

A quick search for the biggest sports in the world gave me football, cricket, hockey and tennis as the top 4. I don't know anything about hockey, but for the other 3 size isn't really an advantage.
There's no doubt a fair number of footballers out there that could cut to 125

Size is a huge advantage in tennis and soccer.

 

[LukeSkyRutten]

A quick search for the biggest sports in the world gave me football, cricket, hockey and tennis as the top 4. I don't know anything about hockey, but for the other 3 size isn't really an advantage.
There's no doubt a fair number of footballers out there that could cut to 125

Like who? I've followed cricket my entire life and they are amongst the biggest men on the planet [A few small indians aside - Which as a side note is the only reason cricket ranks… India's population]. Football… Anyone under 160lb is a very small footballer. Messi is up around 155lb with a far more intensive cardio vascular sport… In MMA he would no doubt be heavier. Hockey I pay very little attention to, and as for tennis… You will be hard pressed to find a man under 6'0.

 

[ortizgnp]

Watching the flyweights is unreal if you think about. It's badass as fuck.

 

[housestark]

A quick search for the biggest sports in the world gave me football, cricket, hockey and tennis as the top 4. I don't know anything about hockey, but for the other 3 size isn't really an advantage.
There's no doubt a fair number of footballers out there that could cut to 125

Except size is an advantage. Goalkeepers are expected to be at least 6'3 (though exceptions exist), because the taller you are and the greater wingspan you have, the easier it'll be to guard the goal. Same thing goes for center backs and strikers. If you're tall as a striker you'll have an easier time heading crosses in the net. This means that if you're a center back guarding a tall striker, it definitely helps being big too.

 

[WSOFool]

They need more fighters from Asia. Then again why go to UFC if you are inclined to combat sports, most guys that size willing to fight for low pay will gamble to become a boxing champion instead of a UFC champion. The money is better if you make it to the top.

Does anyone know if the reason they postponed the flyweight TUF? Lack of recruits? To be honest I'm mainly tuned into MM fights because I want to see him break Anderson's record. Then they can fold that division and make 135lbs. awesome.