With so many fighters out there in the MMA universe, only a select few ever make it to the larger stages. Even more challenging, the ability to stay there is an ongoing fight itself.
The largest of stages, as it stands now, is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This premiere organization boasts hundreds of athletes, each of which can be put on the chopping block following two or three losses in a row.
Within the UFC, there are seven different weight classes, ranging from bantamweight to heavyweight. Each division has their own set of fighters, but the difference of division is not just sheer numbers and weight, but is sometimes from a fan perspective.
The fans are the driving force behind any sport, especially MMA. The UFC is a business, and the fans are the customers that need to be serviced and sold to. Their views and standpoints are all valued and flooded in MMA media. A fan will look at the distinct weight classes and will sometimes analyze the strength of a division based on different criteria.
The phrases “the X division is strong,” or “ the X division is weak,” are all too common among the chatter of MMA. But how does one go about judging the division as a whole? What generalizations can be made from a fan perspective?
To start, some believe that a division’s strength is based on the numbers. Sometimes where there seems to be a shortage of bodies in a particular weight class, people can feel cut short on choices of fighters. The more fighters in a division, the higher chances each fan will find someone they like or connect with.
To take it a step further, the likeability and personality traits of fighters can be a factor. A division can be more exciting if it is filled with fighters who speak their minds, trash talk, crack jokes, etc. A great connective tissue of fighters and fans is the fact fighters are regular humans as well, and reach out to their fans.
If a division is filled with fighters who never say a word, have boring interviews, or don’t have an intriguing back-story known to the world; that division can seem boring and “weak.”
People and fans want to be mentally stimulated, but each person has to be catered to differently. Some fans find it comical when Rampage Jackson goes about his antics with reporters and in other media outlets, some find it offensive and off-putting.
Once again, all subjective.
Probably one of the more significant arguments of division strength is the talent that lies within. A division can have a plethora of fighters, but if they are all mediocre performers, they become obsolete. If a division has a handful of fighters who are top-level guys who stick around for a long time, their names become ingrained into the fans and their respective division flourishes.
Fans will sometimes look at a division and analyze the turnover that takes place over their time watching it progress. If the roster barely changes, many feel it says something about the division.
“Stacked” is another term associated with a group consisting of high-level or big-name fighters. In turn, the “stacked” division can be considered strong.
Along with the talent of the rest of the fighters in a division, the champion of each division has a role. If a champion remains dominant for a long time, it can sometimes adversely affect the value of the rest of the division.
But this is not without its own exceptions.
Georges St-Pierre has ruled his division for quite some time, but his division still looks strong to many. On the other hand, Anderson Silva has completely ruled his division since his debut, but makes the division look weaker.
This may also be due to the methods of victory a champion has conducted. In GSP’s case, his slew of decision wins leaves a bad taste in people’s mouths, and makes the welterweight champ look less impressive. With Silva, his dominance over his opponents and ability to finish fights tends to make his opposition appear less competent, even if they aren’t.
It is harder to say a division is weak when there is a great turnover in champions. The light heavyweight division belt seems a cursed piece of gold that strikes down its owner soon after they attain it.
Jon Jones seems to be on a good course, but time will tell.
Sometimes a division’s ability to be clearly defined can be an issue. For example, if a fan can look at the light heavyweight division and put together a top 10 list quickly, but struggles and takes longer with the heavyweight division, the latter division could seem a little weaker.
However, some would say the fact that it takes more time to think about it indicates a division strong with fighters all matched pretty evenly.
In truth, the outlook of a division’s strength is almost always individual, just as many aspects of MMA. Pound-for-pound lists, best champion, best fighter, top 10 lists—all are based on the criteria of each fan.
The strength and weakness of division fluctuates with each event and will remain that way. Rarely will the masses agree on one opinion, but this separation is very healthy and necessary for the sport.
The inability to completely and definitively generalize a division’s strength reaffirms the strength in each.
Which division do YOU think is the strongest or weakest? Why?
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