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[Dan0]

EliteXC to implement new weight classes
By MMAFighting.com on October 31, 2007

EliteXC President Gary Shaw announced today that the promotion will implement new weight classes to improve the safety of its competitors.

“I am very concerned in the mixed martial arts world of this drastic cutting of weight,” said Shaw. “Fighters can fit better in these weight classes and fight for world titles without endangering their health.”

EliteXC will remove the 155-pound weight class and add 140, 150 and 160-pound divisions. The company's weight classes are now: 140, 150, 160, 170, 185, 205, 265 and 265+ pounds.

Champions will be crowned in each weight class. Robbie Lawler is currently the sole EliteXC champion at middleweight. The champion of the 160-pound class, EliteXC's “lightweight” division, will be crowned November 10 between Nick Diaz and KJ Noons.

http://www.mmafighting.com/news/2007...t_classes.html

[Quintessential Studmuffin]

I kinda find this ridiculous..whats cutting 5/10 pounds? Ive cut weight before for wrestling,and I dont think its that much of a hardship,it comes with the territory.

[Dan0]

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

I would be willing to be that Nick Diaz is a reason that they did this. While I'm not sure he can make 55 but he can definatly make 60.


I know that isn't the only reason that this was done. But it wouldn't surprize me if it had a roll in the decision.

Hell Pride did it for Gomi.

I gotta admit I was thinking the same thing. They like Nick and so does most of the rest of us.

[Noob]

Eh. I'm not against the idea of improving fighter safety, but I kind of see this as fixing something that isn't necessarily broken.


I would be open to hearing someone's argument about why this would be a good and necessary thing, but my initial response to this is that it's kind of silly.

[Dr. MMA]

this is one of the dumbest ideas i've heard.

First thing, having 8 divisions in one company is a helluva lot to showcase their talent in each division considering they don't do ppvs that often

Second, there are already estabilished weight classes and this messes up a lot of it. Instead of having 140, 150 and 160, why couldnt they just do 145 and 155... the featherweight and lightweight divisions are pretty estabilished in the wec and ufc respectively, so why go fuck around with that?

The latter is one of the best examples of why there should be unified rules and weight divisions for the sport of mma. This permits a smooth crossover from company to company

[thumper]

First thing that pops into my mind is it's probably not the best move to thin out your fighter classes when you're already going broke. But I don't know the fighters so this could maybe bring up some good fights. who knows.

Until they get away from teams, and the new, mental masturbation that is camps, since it's still teams, it's just going to fail again.

But I'm not sure i see how unified rules are going to work when you're talking about teams versus single combat. They are different animals completely and they don't compliment each other at all. I think it would be harder to unify things this way.

[chico76]

If they had more fighters I could see that, but its thinning out a small enough group already. And I agree its not like 5-10 lbs is that big of a disparity. I am fighter first minded too but c'mon.

[smoogy]

I like it, too many guys get stuck between LW and WW, plus for guys this size 10lb intervals is probably safer.

[Dr. MMA]

Originally Posted by smoogy

I like it, too many guys get stuck between LW and WW, plus for guys this size 10lb intervals is probably safer.

i agree bcuz a lot of organizations have had that 160lb mark, so a fighter has to make a decision to move up 10lbs or move up 5 lbs but the fact that there are different weight classes in every organization is going to be a big problem for cross over. Let's say a fighter at 150lb or 160lb leaves elite xc to go to ufc, they're still going to have the same problem. UFC is the bigger promotion, they probably need to model weight classes after them.

Also, I think the featherweight had the most problem with ufc, cuz they had to fight in a higher weight class like jens and hominick but wec gave them a home. Elite XC should follow wec and ufc more closely than trying to re-invent weight classes

[the_dark_angel_4ever]

Originally Posted by Noob

Eh. I'm not against the idea of improving fighter safety, but I kind of see this as fixing something that isn't necessarily broken.


I would be open to hearing someone's argument about why this would be a good and necessary thing, but my initial response to this is that it's kind of silly.

Playing Devils Advocate here.

I don't agree or disagree with them, I personally don't care one way of the other. I think they may be changing the classes around to make it easier for the general public or casual viewer to remember. It may also be to help with cutting weight. While I agree it's part of the game and probably not that big of a deal, if you're a smaller guy, like 155 and you need to cut to 140, that 15lbs is about 10% of your body weight and takes a larger toll on your health. A 220 guy cutting 15lbs isn't nearly as tough as a a guy at 155 obviously.

Not saying one way or the other, just like playing devils advocate.