The UFC light heavyweight division has seen more shake-ups than those who live in the earthquake-plagued areas of California. With several emerging contenders and a few legends fading into the background, the landscape of the 205-pound weight class barely resembles itself from one year ago. Instead of looking backward, Bleacher Report MMA likes to whip […]
The UFC light heavyweight division has seen more shake-ups than those who live in the earthquake-plagued areas of California. With several emerging contenders and a few legends fading into the background, the landscape of the 205-pound weight class barely resembles itself from one year ago. Instead of looking backward, Bleacher Report MMA likes to whip […]
Anything can happen in the world of MMA. Champions fall, and new contenders emerge on a regular basis. This is especially true in the heavyweight division, where any fighter can forever change his future with a single strike. Every once in a while, we …
Anything can happen in the world of MMA. Champions fall, and new contenders emerge on a regular basis. This is especially true in the heavyweight division, where any fighter can forever change his future with a single strike. Every once in a while, we at Bleacher Report MMA like to whip out our crystal ball […]
Following an impressive knockout victory over ex-Strikeforce champ Rafael Cavalcante at UFC on FUEL 10 last night, it was inevitable Thiago Silva was going to get called out sooner than later. However, he probably wasn’t expecting a challenge from his former teammate/recent heavyweight title challenger Antonio Silva. Shortly after Thiago finished “Feijao,” here’s what “Bigfoot” […]
Following an impressive knockout victory over ex-Strikeforce champ Rafael Cavalcante at UFC on FUEL 10 last night, it was inevitable Thiago Silva was going to get called out sooner than later. However, he probably wasn’t expecting a challenge from his former teammate/recent heavyweight title challenger Antonio Silva. Shortly after Thiago finished “Feijao,” here’s what “Bigfoot” […]
Wondering if you’re “big” or just “average?” Just how big is average for a UFC fighter? Well that depends on the weight class obviously. Here’s the current UFC roster of fighters put into divisions with average (mean) height and reach (mean averages based on UFC Roster as of June, 2013). Next time someone says a fighter is “big for their weight class,” check the facts first.
The range of UFC divisions spans 140 pounds, which on average translates into about one foot of additional height and reach from the Flyweights to the Heavyweights. It’s important to note there is plenty of variability that occurs with in each weight class. Bodies are tall and lean or sometimes short and stocky. And the larger the division is, the wider the range of maximums and minimums. Just think of heavyweights Stefan Struve and Pat Barry facing off with over a one foot height differential in the same weight class.
(Click on the chart for the full size version. For previous Databombs, click here.)
Wondering if you’re “big” or just “average?” Just how big is average for a UFC fighter? Well that depends on the weight class obviously. Here’s the current UFC roster of fighters put into divisions with average (mean) height and reach (mean averages based on UFC Roster as of June, 2013). Next time someone says a fighter is “big for their weight class,” check the facts first.
The range of UFC divisions spans 140 pounds, which on average translates into about one foot of additional height and reach from the Flyweights to the Heavyweights. It’s important to note there is plenty of variability that occurs with in each weight class. Bodies are tall and lean or sometimes short and stocky. And the larger the division is, the wider the range of maximums and minimums. Just think of heavyweights Stefan Struve and Pat Barry facing off with over a one foot height differential in the same weight class.
It’s also interesting that the average size of each weight class has been increasing in recent years. If we were to go back to 2005 or so, what we would see is the average height and reach being lower in all divisions. This is due to the highly competitive evolution of modern MMA which has driven fighters to pack more athleticism into a leaner body. The result is numerous fighters dropping weight classes to remain optimally competitive, and finding ways to optimize their bodies for fighting.
And look at the new women’s division. At Bantamweight there’s a discernible difference in size between male and female fighters weighing in at the same weight limit. The men’s division has been around a lot longer and has greater competition from a large pool of contenders, who are experienced pros at cutting weight. And despite their larger frames, they manage to pack more muscle and size onto the scale on weigh-in day. Competition always pushes the limits of human anthropometrics.
So how do you measure up? Are you a lightweight that eats like a middleweight? Or are you a welterweight in the frame of a bantamweight?
After a wild UFC 160 pay-per-view from Las Vegas, the focus on Cain Velasquez, the UFC Heavyweight Championship and the entire title picture moving forward is the talk of the MMA world. Not only did Velasquez successfully retain his title, Junior Dos Santos dominated Saturday and proved to everyone that he is the unquestioned No. […]
After a wild UFC 160 pay-per-view from Las Vegas, the focus on Cain Velasquez, the UFC Heavyweight Championship and the entire title picture moving forward is the talk of the MMA world. Not only did Velasquez successfully retain his title, Junior Dos Santos dominated Saturday and proved to everyone that he is the unquestioned No. […]