Why do we talk about "size differences" when weight classes exist?

[Defeat Unknown]

Among analysts, "he's the bigger fighter" and "the size is going to make a big difference in this fight" seems to be a common talking point when predicting/analyzing fights these days.

When weight classes exist, why is this such a significant factor in fights? What is the point of having weight classes if we so frequently see, come fight night, that one fighter is significantly larger than their opponent?

If size is a determining factor when it comes to fights, perhaps the existing weight classes are too large and allow too much allowance in weight disparity.

Nothing is proven if at the end of the fight, the winner boasts "I was the bigger fighter" and, if the loser also says "he was the bigger fighter".

 

[Lando]

Some fighters frames are better suited to cutting more weight. More weight classes wouldn't do shit.

It's not even a problem anyway so who cares

 

[Jdanois]

Yes. When I saw the difference is size between Holland and Santos, I couldn't believe they were in the same weight class!

 

[linvillegorge]

The difference between weight classes is pretty large, especially compared to boxing.

Weight classes decrease the disparity between the sizes of combatants, they don't eliminate it. There are always going to be big weight cutters and there's always going to be guys who cut less weight. The big gap in weight classes in MMA just exacerbates that. The element of grappling does as well. Size advantage means a lot more in grappling than it does in a pure striking contest.

 

[Noleggeisha]

Yes. When I saw the difference is size between Holland and Santos, I couldn't believe they were in the same weight class!

Right? Cub vs Moicano too.

 

[I WILL CUT YOU]

Because your mother cuts to Super Heavyweight Trebek

 

[RetiredSlave]

Wow.

 

[jjthenextchamp1]

Royce and Floyd already proved that skills pays the bills. But if all things are equal and you're smaller you're sol because the bigger guy can lay on you and you won't be able to get up.

 

[Defeat Unknown]

It's not even a problem anyway so who cares

Except it is a problem and has a direct outcome on lots of fights.

When Till brags about being a LHW fighting WWs, and he's noticeably larger than Wonderboy in the cage, and when Wonderboy moves forward into Till and Till seems uneffected, then yes, size differences are a problem. If a much larger fighter defeats a smaller fighter, it doesn't determine who the better fighter is but rather only determines that the bigger fighter won. We already know size makes a difference, which is why we have weight classes to begin with, so when someone can bypass weight classes by cutting 30 pounds, versus his opponent cutting 10 pounds, it's all really fucking pointless and stupid and nonsensical.

 

[NotoriousMillions]

Among analysts, "he's the bigger fighter" and "the size is going to make a big difference in this fight" seems to be a common talking point when predicting/analyzing fights these days.

When weight classes exist, why is this such a significant factor in fights? What is the point of having weight classes if we so frequently see, come fight night, that one fighter is significantly larger than their opponent?

If size is a determining factor when it comes to fights, perhaps the existing weight classes are too large and allow too much allowance in weight disparity.

Nothing is proven if at the end of the fight, the winner boasts "I was the bigger fighter" and, if the loser also says "he was the bigger fighter".

Because of how MMA is. Big jumps in weight classes, no weight cutting limits, etc. There is also no division below 125. MM is smaller than everyone. He's realistically a 115er that's good enough to dominate 125ers.

Just one of many reasons boxing is more refined.

 

[j18lee]

We talk about size differences because Anthony Johnson vs. Charlie Brenneman.

 

[SuperNerd]

TS trying to show he's an independent thinker and a rebel.

He should use the community, the internet, his school, the gym and all it's advantages imo.

 

[The Half Blood Prince]

The difference between weight classes is pretty large, especially compared to boxing.

Weight classes decrease the disparity between the sizes of combatants, they don't eliminate it. There are always going to be big weight cutters and there's always going to be guys who cut less weight. The big gap in weight classes in MMA just exacerbates that. The element of grappling does as well. Size advantage means a lot more in grappling than it does in a pure striking contest.

Why do you think size matters more in grappling than striking?

Once the fight hits the ground, this is where size matters the least in a fight. This is why BJJ was so popular and revolutionised MMA into what it is today, because it allowed a smaller weaker man to beat a bigger stronger person, and this was only achieved on the ground. On the ground your power matters less because you have very limited space to make use of your power.

Standing up size matters more so because the bigger you are the more harder your punches are, and the easier it is to absorb strikes.

 

[Jackonfire]

Is this a serious question?

 

[linvillegorge]

Why do you think size matters more in grappling than striking?

Once the fight hits the ground, this is where size matters the least in a fight. This is why BJJ was so popular and revolutionised MMA into what it is today, because it allowed a smaller weaker man to beat a bigger stronger person, and this was only achieved on the ground. On the ground your power matters less because you have very limited space to make use of your power.

Standing up size matters more so because the bigger you are the more harder your punches are, and the easier it is to absorb strikes.

You've never actually grappled, have you?

 

[The Half Blood Prince]

You've never actually grappled, have you?

I do BJJ and have wrestled, hbu

 

[linvillegorge]

I do BJJ and have wrestled, hbu

I honestly don't believe you if you actually think that a size/weight advantage isn't a huge factor in grappling if the skillsets are similar.

 

[The Domin8or]

What about when 168 pound Colin Mcgregor fought 510 pounds Nathan Diaz ?

 

[Lando]

Except it is a problem and has a direct outcome on lots of fights.

When Till brags about being a LHW fighting WWs, and he's noticeably larger than Wonderboy in the cage, and when Wonderboy moves forward into Till and Till seems uneffected, then yes, size differences are a problem. If a much larger fighter defeats a smaller fighter, it doesn't determine who the better fighter is but rather only determines that the bigger fighter won. We already know size makes a difference, which is why we have weight classes to begin with, so when someone can bypass weight classes by cutting 30 pounds, versus his opponent cutting 10 pounds, it's all really fucking pointless and stupid and nonsensical.

Its not a "problem", it's an advantage. Till can cut more weight than other fighters due to either his body type or some scientific knowledge he's gained. It's like saying it's unfair because Tyrone Woodley is naturally more explosive and powerful than Carlos Condit. It's not a problem, it's a natural advantage, which has drawbacks.

 

[The Half Blood Prince]

I honestly don't believe you if you actually think that a size/weight advantage isn't a huge factor in grappling if the skillsets are similar.

That's not what I said. I said size advantage matters less on the ground than it does standing up....
You don't even have to train to know that, you just have to look at the history of BJJ and how the UFC started

And I wasn't talking in the context of a similar skill set exactly. Obviously if both fighters are of similar skill than the bigger guy wins majority of the time