In theory, a bantamweight fighter shouldn’t be able to end a heavyweight’s career, but that’s the exact scenario that is likely to play out at some point over the coming months as the UFC and WEC officially merge and fighters jockey for precious roster slots.
With the Jan. 1 addition of the bantamweight and featherweight divisions in the UFC – bringing the total of weight classes to seven – the number of fighters looking for jobs will rise, but the total number of slots available to fighters is expected to hold steady.
That means fighters who might have gotten one more chance in the past after a questionable performance might no longer be so lucky. Instead, they might find themselves on the outside of the octagon looking in.