Why does the UFC have a weight limit for the Heavyweights ?

[Harlekin]

They should switch it to a bodyfat % limit.
It's an outdated and retarded rule

 

[Pepy]

I totally agree, Super HW fights can be great spectacles.

However UFC HW fighters are already pretty low level on the entertainment rating scale for me and i never miss a UFC.

Imagine how quick the casuals will tune out when these guys are sucking wind after sitting on the fence for the last 2 minutes of the first round.

Bobuuu Sapppuuuu

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

It's quite strange when in boxing and kickboxing there is no upper weight limit for heavyweight as far as I am aware.

Pro boxing, no. Amateur boxing, heavyweight is 178 - 201. 201+ is super heavyweight.

Kickboxing is a lot more complicated

 

[LEWIS540]

You've seen huge fat guys in MMA such as Teila Tuli (rest in peace) who was 415 pounds, Akebono (rest in peace) who was 500ish pounds, Zulu who was 405 pounds, Paul Varelans (rest in peace) who was 330 pounds. They all got handily destroyed by smaller opponents (Gerard Gordeau, Royce Gracie, Fedor, Igor Vovchanchyn).

I believe they once had a super heavyweight fight between Barnett and Schilt?

Outside of that and Lesnar, and maybe Hunt (who both probably benefited from being under 300) don’t think it’s ever been an issue.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

Doesn't the sanctioning body ie athletic commission decide weight classes? If the UFC wants no weight limit then a super heavyweight division would have to be created. How many fighters are going to fight in that weight class post USADA who aren't morbidly obese?

 

[checktheknuckles]

People knock the 265 lb HW limit, by saying the HW division would just be a bunch of obesity montrosities out there fighting. But the problem is the UFC only hiring those obesities instead of actual big men. Granted the shitty shitty super low pay, keeps most of the legit big HWs out of the UFC, but there are definitely big men who who could fight who are above that weight limit. People like Bob Sapp couldn't ever fight in the HW division, but is Sapp an obese? Or guys like Shaq or Yao.

The UFC really needs to redo its weight limits for the classes, and ideally should have HW at like 225lbs+ to no cap. If someone wants to come in 400lbs of utter blubber with no cardio, then let them. But at the same time, why would the UFC hire a contractor like that who is 4oo lbs of utter blubber with no cardio to compete in the best and biggest sport in the world?

 

[blaseblase]

There have never been any worthwhile fighters to compete at super heavyweight who could not make 265. Who is the best? Hongman Choi?

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Bobuuu Sapppuuuu

The hug at the end of this fight is the single greatest moment in MMA history.

 

[GiganticMeat]

People knock the 265 lb HW limit, by saying the HW division would just be a bunch of obesity montrosities out there fighting. But the problem is the UFC only hiring those obesities instead of actual big men. Granted the shitty shitty super low pay, keeps most of the legit big HWs out of the UFC, but there are definitely big men who who could fight who are above that weight limit. People like Bob Sapp couldn't ever fight in the HW division, but is Sapp an obese? Or guys like Shaq or Yao.

The UFC really needs to redo its weight limits for the classes, and ideally should have HW at like 225lbs+ to no cap. If someone wants to come in 400lbs of utter blubber with no cardio, then let them. But at the same time, why would the UFC hire a contractor like that who is 4oo lbs of utter blubber with no cardio to compete in the best and biggest sport in the world?

We are mostly in agreement, I think it should be opened up too. But Sapp is an aberrant example as someone who took a whole pharmacy. He's a literal bodybuilder right now. Literal giants do exist though, even if most people (including me) don't rate them highly

It would honestly do a lot for public knowledge if they uncapped it and people saw the reality of moving around at 300+ pounds

Then again, maybe someone would do well too.

 

[TriangleMonkey]

Let them bang at 275lbs

 

[Vile]

Doesn't the sanctioning body ie athletic commission decide weight classes? If the UFC wants no weight limit then a super heavyweight division would have to be created. How many fighters are going to fight in that weight class post USADA who aren't morbidly obese?

You are correct. UFC can make the SHW division if they want fighters over 265 fighting. Other solution is to try to negotiate change to unified rules weight classes.

 

[Dr Fong]

It's ridiculous that they separate super HWs and then on top of it the monopoly promotion doesn't have super HWs.

If the best fighter on the planet weighs 320 pounds, then the best fighter on the planet weighs 320 pounds. They should have the opportunity to prove it.

If we aren't necessarily trying to figure out who the best MMAer is, then what the fuck is the point of the sport?

 

[colorles]

It's ridiculous that they separate super HWs and then on top of it the monopoly promotion doesn't have super HWs.

If the best fighter on the planet weighs 320 pounds, then the best fighter on the planet weighs 320 pounds. They should have the opportunity to prove it.

If we aren't necessarily trying to figure out who the best MMAer is, then what the fuck is the point of the sport?

theres some weird cringe myth on sherdog that "240 pounds is peak male physique when it comes to fighting"

i'll just post this:

Embiid is listed at 7'0'' tall and 280 pounds in what is clearly fighting shape (much less muscle bulk than Ngannou; just a way bigger frame). but oh, a guy like that "weighs too much to be athletic as a fighter", "240 pounds is the ultimate fighter weight bro"

the reality is that there being any weight limit on a "heavyweight" division delegitimizes it.

 

[Fedorgasm]

It is stupid. If a guy is sloppy and fat then don't sign him to the UFC. Simple.

But having a weight limit is dumb.

In theory you could have someone the size and build of Shaq who wants to fight in MMA. Shaq's endurance was good enough to run up and down the court for 2 hours. He was strong as hell, fast, athletic.

But you're gonna force him to cut weight until he looks like Manute Bol before he can fight? That's bullshit. You'd take away all his explosiveness.

 

[deadshot138]

You've seen huge fat guys in MMA such as Teila Tuli (rest in peace) who was 415 pounds, Akebono (rest in peace) who was 500ish pounds, Zulu who was 405 pounds, Paul Varelans (rest in peace) who was 330 pounds. They all got handily destroyed by smaller opponents (Gerard Gordeau, Royce Gracie, Fedor, Igor Vovchanchyn).

Paul Varelans died of covid?

 

[Ibm]

Beats me to be honest.

 

[colorles]

It is stupid. If a guy is sloppy and fat then don't sign him to the UFC. Simple.

But having a weight limit is dumb.

In theory you could have someone the size and build of Shaq who wants to fight in MMA. Shaq's endurance was good enough to run up and down the court for 2 hours. He was strong as hell, fast, athletic.

But you're gonna force him to cut weight until he looks like Manute Bol before he can fight? That's bullshit. You'd take away all his explosiveness.

Indeed. Most likely the best potential fighter in the world is some big and naturally athletic 7'0'' plus tall guy who probably weighs around 300 pounds in already trim and athletic shape. Of course, all those guys are playing other sports for millions of dollars.

and i'm not even one of those "lebron james wtih 6 months of training dominates mma" guys. not even close. but nobody can deny the physical advantages just in frame alone that being bigger and taller and naturally athletic still provides

 

[Fedorgasm]

Indeed. Most likely the best potential fighter in the world is some big and naturally athletic 7'0'' plus tall guy who probably weighs around 300 pounds in already trim and athletic shape. Of course, all those guys are playing other sports for millions of dollars.

and i'm not even one of those "lebron james wtih 6 months of training dominates mma" guys. not even close. but nobody can deny the physical advantages just in frame alone that being bigger and taller and naturally athletic still provides

Exactly. Jon Jones would be nobody if he were 6'1"

Just look at boxing. Insanely tall guys have taken over the HW division in the last 20 years.

Remember when George Foreman was the giant of boxing? How tall was he? 6'3", 6'4" maybe?

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

if they raise the weight limit they should remove drug testing, because that's really the only way you're going to get +300lb dudes who have stamina to fight for 25 minutes.

 

[El Fernas]

Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa are the perfect example of 265lbs being a fair limit, they can still cut a few lbs of they are heavier than that.