Dropping Weight Classes

[YukonJordan]

It seems like a lot of guys are dropping down a weight class lately, especially into the 155lb class. Any ideas why? The two that I keep thinking are that the UFC is providing some kind of incentives/pressure to bulk this division up and that the fighters in general look at Sherk like he's by far the easiest champion to beat.

[Harlem]

Originally Posted by YukonJordan

It seems like a lot of guys are dropping down a weight class lately, especially into the 155lb class. Any ideas why? The two that I keep thinking are that the UFC is providing some kind of incentives/pressure to bulk this division up and that the fighters in general look at Sherk like he's by far the easiest champion to beat.

The main reason fighters drop weight is because they will be stronger at a lower weight class. That is the norm in boxing, that's why it's hard for so many fighters to make weight. Most fighters try to have as much of an advantage as possible dropping weight is just one, because the fighter will be as strong as possible at a lighter weight, possibly fighting weaker fighters that he can take advantage of.

[Frasedog]

Originally Posted by YukonJordan

It seems like a lot of guys are dropping down a weight class lately, especially into the 155lb class. Any ideas why? The two that I keep thinking are that the UFC is providing some kind of incentives/pressure to bulk this division up and that the fighters in general look at Sherk like he's by far the easiest champion to beat.

If your normal weight is like 185, you dont want to fight at 185. Look at gys like Rich Franklin. He walks around at like 215, maybe more. It would be hard to deal with a guy who is that much bigger than you. So the only thing to do is drop to 170 where you might have an edge in size.
Also I dont think Sherk is going to be easy to beat at all at 155. The guy is a brute. How do you beat him? Certainly not on the ground. He is so much bigger and stronger than most of the 155'ers out there. He will be champ till BJ penn comes back.

[strife]

Originally Posted by Frasedog

He will be champ till BJ penn comes back.

Most definately.

[LethalStriker]

A lot of guys who fought at WW only fought that high because UFC didn't have a LW division at the time, guys like Fisher, Guillard, etc.

[chungt79]

Sherk is no pushover and is a warrior. But then, that is until BJ comes back. BJ should get one match before he fights for the title. I am just wondering where Jens Pulver fits in. He screwed up Dana's plans by losing his first fight back. It prolly would have been BJ Vs. Jens for chance to fight Sherk but I dont know how they're going to pan this out. But eventually, I am sure Pulver become a #1 contender.

Going back to the topic, cutting weight basically allows you to fight against people who are normally smaller than you.

[YukonJordan]

lol I don't think I worded this right. Obviously I know why fighters cut weight and drop down, I guess I should have emphasized part about why there seems to be a plethora of fighters dropping to 155. That being said thanks for the comments.

[chungt79]

Originally Posted by YukonJordan

lol I don't think I worded this right. Obviously I know why fighters cut weight and drop down, I guess I should have emphasized part about why there seems to be a plethora of fighters dropping to 155. That being said thanks for the comments.

I am sure Dana is convincing some people to drop down. He wants people to talk about LW in UFC and if BJ wins the title, UFC has the best LW fighter in the world.

[Dork8503]

yeah, bj will have one fight before the title fight, maybe 2 tho, because i hear that bj and pulver are coaches on tuf 5 so im assuming that the finale will be pulver vs bj , then either the winner fights for the title or one more fight then the title,