Why are they struggling to find new HW blood?

[OrigFan255]

The past few years it seems like they are recycling the same 8 fighters.

Every other division there is always new blood, except HW.

Average HW age is probably 38

 

[BigMuffler]

There is new blood...

Ngannou
Lewis
Volkov

Stipe came up fairly recently too.

 

[Evenflow80]

In before clichéd "all good 250 lb AAA athletes are in NBA or NFL bro!!!"

As if getting punched in the face and kicking a ball around are shared skill sets and interests.

Any ways to answer your question: hell if I know. There's a TON of HWs out there in regional and international promotions especially Russia. Why the UFC is so slow to bring them in I have no idea.

The bar for entry into UFC HW division is lower than any other. Look at someone like Black beast: essentially a fat brawler that would get annihilated in any lower more technical divison but doing just fine in one punch your out world of HW fighting

 

[dickcheney]

Been awhile since an NCAA all American hw came around....maybe we can find some prospects this weekend

 

[P0rkchop]

I mean just look at boxing

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

WME is too busy cutting exciting fighters with winning records to sign new people.

 

[TatooNU]

Jones brother Arthur has teased he is coming to UFC once he retires.

 

[Valhoven]

Men of that size are also fewer in number, I would venture to guess, so the pool from which to scout is smaller. Conjectural on my part but what is "average" height and size is called so for a reason.

 

[scorpipede]

Jones brother Arthur has teased he is coming to UFC once he retires.

wouldn't surprise me actually. Even as a one-off thing. Dude was a beast in his prime.

 

[Jimmy jump]

wouldn't surprise me actually. Even as a one-off thing. Dude was a beast in his prime.

Probably a roider like his two brothers.

 

[Bend NvR Break]

Making a living off getting punched, kicked, choked, and limbs broken by another 250-pound man isn't the smartest thing. You need a couple screws loose for that.

 

[wonderbread]

Because Midgets like Conor are easier to come by.

 

[MIKE BOWLING]

Been awhile since an NCAA all American hw came around....maybe we can find some prospects this weekend

Doesn't Snyder have mma aspirations I thought I heard that

 

[ASTERIO]

The past few years it seems like they are recycling the same 8 fighters.

Every other division there is always new blood, except HW.

Average HW age is probably 38

it has been like that forever. Simple statistics man...how many guys in the world are giants that can weigh 240 pounds in shape, train MMA and are willing to get their asses kicked for not much money for at least 5-10 years before they are successful....if they are?? ....do the math.

 

[Vehap1]

Very simple, it's alot more small people in the world. Than people 6'4+ and athletic

The average height in america is 5'9 ½ but sherdogers pretends it's 6'1

 

[Ken Fresno]

Breaking: People don't like getting punched in the face.

Breaking: Martial Arts are for little people, big people don't get bullied.

Breaking: New television contracts for all major team sports.


"The Tigers have called a press conference for today at their spring site in Lakeland, Fla., to announce the agreement, which was first reported by CBSSports.com. The eight-year, $248 million extension is the largest extension in baseball history, and the $292 million guaranteed commitment is also the largest commitment. The $292 million figure was first reported by Foxsports.com.

Cabrera had two years to go and $44 million on his previous $152 million, eight-year Tigers deal, and the extension will be added on top of that.

Cabrera is a defending two-time American League MVP who also has won the last three batting titles. Cabrera, 30, is beloved in Detroit, and around the team, where he has become a positive clubhouse force in addition to the best hitter in baseball.

Cabrera could actually make as much as $352 million with the deal, as there are vesting options for years 11 and 12 at $30 million apiece based on achievements during the deal."

 

[BigMuffler]

Very simple, it's alot more small people in the world. Than people 6'4+ and athletic

The average height in america is 5'9 ½ but sherdogers pretends it's 6'1

That 5'9 1/2 average is brought down by old people though. For young men (under 40) I feel like the average is closer to 5'11 (I'm 5'10 and feel slightly shorter than average, more guys seem 'tall' rather than 'short').

 

[TheScorpionDude]

Cause there aren't as much big people in the world.

A true HW, a one that can't slim down to LHW is hard to find.

A lot of LHW are actually diet HWs, ala Jones, Gus, Glover.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

There are some very good heavyweights in MMA but UFC never signs then, they are only focused on signing women and very light fighters for cheap labour to fill the cards.

The best HW in MMA is not even in UFC, Minakov. He beats everyone imo.

 

[spmn1017]

In before clichéd "all good 250 lb AAA athletes are in NBA or NFL bro!!!"

As if getting punched in the face and kicking a ball around are shared skill sets and interests.

Any ways to answer your question: hell if I know. There's a TON of HWs out there in regional and international promotions especially Russia. Why the UFC is so slow to bring them in I have no idea.

The bar for entry into UFC HW division is lower than any other. Look at someone like Black beast: essentially a fat brawler that would get annihilated in any lower more technical divison but doing just fine in one punch your out world of HW fighting

no they are not but a lot of the basic skills in mma such as punching and kicking i consider instinctive defense tactics that humans use when threatened. taking a punch? that's a whole different thing. my friend tried to convince me that if lebron went to the ufc and had martial arts training he would dominate everyone. I told him, "he's a great athlete but lebron needs help off the court when his leg cramps up. how do you think he's gonna handle being punched in the face?"
in america it's different than russia, americans love football and its a big part of american culture where kids usually grow up playing football. whereas sambo and martial arts are more popular in russia which is why you have a lot of good russian fighters.
agree 100% with your point on derrick lewis, no knock against him, but when i watch lewis fight i really see nothing special as far as his technical skill, its funny how a guy like lewis can excel at the top level yet there is supposedly "no talent" out in the world of 7 billion people