Why did the LHW division have to become so bad?

[Seahawks Fan]

There was a time when the LHW division in mma was arguably the most talented and entertaining division in the sport. You had a 5-7 year window when Chuck, Wanderlei, Randy, Tito, Rampage, Shogun, Hendo, Vitor, Little Nog, Overeem, Arona etc. were all more or less in their prime and competing at a high level.

That era was then followed by Jones, Rashad, Machida, DC, Gus, Glover, Bader, Rumble etc. This era wasn't as deep or as entertaining as the previous one but it was still very respectable and fan friendly.

However, the last 7 years of the LHW division have been absolutely horrendous in terms of talent and entertainment. Guys like Oezdemir, Reyes, Anthony Smith, OSP, were able to stumble into title shots when in previous eras they would have been journeyman struggling to make the top 10. Then you have the recent trail of uninspiring champions who while being good don't strike me as world beaters. Fighters such Jamahal Hill, Blachowicz, Jiri etc.

I just wanna know why did LHW have to become do bad after basically being the crown jewel of MMA for a decade?

 

[HHJ]

Maybe sometimes there just isnt a reason?

Things change.

 

[Lord Pyjamas]

I agree.
Paying money for it has nothing to do with it.
Things just change.

 

[HHJ]

Jiri etc.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

I can barely remember a time when it wasn't shit

 

[HHJ]

I can barely remember a time when it wasn't shit

Noob

 

[ocfightfan]

Maybe sometimes there just isnt a reason?

Things change.

I blame the crackdown on bullying in schools.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

Noob

I watched since back in Pride but ok lol

 

[HHJ]

I watched since back in Pride but ok lol

You said you can barely remember when it wasnt shit.

It wasnt really that long ago tbh

 

[Meathead Jock]

I blame the crackdown on bullying in schools.

There might be a tiny sliver of truth to this. Big kids are expected to be saints in American youth schools. While the female teachers get excited and clap for a little runt who will hit or push a kid because they are excited to see someone they view as weak standing up for themselves.

Without a parent pushing sports hard, it's hard for these big kids to not grow into very passive kids.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

You said you can barely remember when it wasnt shit.

It wasnt really that long ago tbh

No, I just disagree that it wasn't shit. There was a good 3 years where it was incredible but otherwise is been mid to ass

 

[filthybliss]

When Texeira became champ at 42. I thought it was pretty telling.

 

[HHJ]

No, I just disagree that it wasn't shit. There was a good 3 years where it was incredible but otherwise is been mid to ass

Ridikulus

thats even worse

 

[joy2day]

So much for the evolution of the sport.

 

[TheMoa]

HW is shitty too... I have no idea why, maybe big boys are afraid to get hit by another big boys

 

[SalvadorAllende]

First of all.. all those guys were on more steroids than Dwayne Johnson.

Second these dudes are overrated as fuck. Shogun and Wandy were a sloppy brawlers, Arona was one dimensonal.. reem had no gastank and chin.. and I can go on.

Probably Ankalaev and Pereira would have beaten all of them.

LHW peaked at the top with Jones, Rumble, DC and prime Gus. After those 4 it was terrible.

 

[HHJ]

Shogun and Wandy were a sloppy brawlers

So what?

Those guys they knocked out didnt have nothin to say. They were dead.

 

[PaddyO'malley]

Just wait a few years fam RFK finna put TRT in di water mandem finna get jack3d

 

[ThroughTheDakr]

Bigger weighted divisions have always been mediocre. If I was that size I'm going football/basketball/anything else.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

Ridikulus

thats even worse

Sorry bro. It's how I feel. Division has an overwhelming history of being ass. The short time it was great was genuinely incredible to watch tho. Would've been nice If it lasted