If you have a point, then feel free to state it. Francis has previously weighed in under 255 multiple times and as low as 252. I think he has multiple options to easily make 245.
The only flaw is that a lot of those heights aren't accurate.
You're saying strength isn't required for jiu jitsu? Strength is more important for grappling than striking. This isn't a debatable point.
I think the tipping point is certainly higher than 240lbs. We can't know for sure because like I said talent is sparse at HW in MMA. Both because there are just less humans at that size and the ones who are at that size who can utilize their size and athleticism are doing other things. Even if every athlete in the world was pursuing MMA I still think the tipping point would be decided by scarcity in talent rather than the limits of the human body. For example there would be so many more natural 260lb'rs than 280lb'rs that the talent gap would overcome any potential size/power advantage.
Though I don't feel there to be a universal "ideal weight" for fighters, I tend to agree, more or less -- this also applies to collegiate wrestling these days. There used to be a lot of big heavyweight wrestling champions, but these days, the best heavyweights tend to be between 225-245 lbs.
I think at this point we're talking about different things. Are we more likely to find a HW champ at 240lbs than 260lbs? Sure. Agree with you there. That doesn't mean that's an ideal weight. Equal skill, talent, and training I'll take the heavier guy every time. But where is the limit where that statement won't be true? I think there is a limit but imo it's well beyond 240lbs.
Couture is a pretty easy one to correct:
I gotcha mate, and thank you for making this thread. It is very well-stated and objective. It's actually a nice reference for my casual friends who don't know anything about fighting that just think the bigger person is going to win in any given fight.
