It seems like the fighter who once dethroned Alexander Volkanovski is now focusing on a different type of opponent: Dana White‘s stubborn stance on weight classes. During a recent appearance on Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show #166, Ilia Topuria not only agreed with the UFC host’s criticism of the UFC’s weight class system but also revealed that he would be confronting the UFC head honcho about it. But what exact issues do they have with the current weight classes, and what solutions do the duo have in mind?
When you look at the numbers, the crux of their argument becomes clear. The JRE host reminded fans that while a 10-pound difference between welterweight (170 lbs) and middleweight (185 lbs) may appear acceptable, it becomes dangerously excessive for smaller competitors. “I think that they should have more weight classes because the weight class gaps are just too large. I mean, at the lower weight classes, it’s 10 lbs, which seems reasonable. But really, at the lower weight classes—when you look at 125 and 135—it could easily be 5 lbs. 5 lbs is reasonable.”
Topuria, whose career has seen a shift in weight classes, immediately realized the disparity and revealed that he intends to broach the subject as to why Dana White continues to use a system that puts athletes at unnecessary risk. He said, “I don’t really know the real reason behind that, but I would love to talk to Dana and ask him these questions. Because it’s kind of dangerous for the guys. Many times, you put on a show for the people, and you don’t really know if they’re going to make the weight.”
Credits: Imago
The dangers go much beyond competitive imbalance. Joe Rogan portrayed a terrifying picture of combatants “deeply dehydrated” before weigh-ins, with their brains still battling to recuperate just hours before being punched in the head. “Why would you want someone physically compromised 24 hours before fighting?” he asked. ‘La Leyenda’ emphasized the point by labeling Dana White’s current strategy as “kind of dangerous for the guys,” implying that the organization puts simplicity over safety. So, what is their solution?
More weight classes with narrower gaps, particularly at the lower weights, to avoid drastic cuts that make fighters vulnerable. Now it would be interesting to see if Ilia Topuria has a talk with Dana White. However, it is worth noting that the UFC head honcho did hint at a new weight class not too long ago.
Dana White’s previous hint at bringing a new weight class
For all the criticism Dana White receives about the UFC’s current weight class structure, it’s not as if the man is completely resistant to change. The same displeasure expressed by Ilia Topuria and Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience appears to be echoed somewhere in the UFC CEO’s thoughts as well—albeit only slightly. While ‘La Leyenda’ wants more divisions to safeguard fighters, the head honcho looks to be warming up to the idea, though from a different perspective: talent overflow. His past comments suggest that the ever-increasing pool of global fighters may eventually require a completely new weight class.
It all came into focus when 20-year-old Julieta Martinez entered the cage at the Contender Series. Despite a hard-fought victory over Leslie Hernandez, she went away without a UFC deal. White, on the other hand, was not entirely unimpressed. Quite the opposite. He liked her so much that he asked her to train at the UFC Performance Institute. Is there a catch? She’s only 5’1″ and weighs 114.5 pounds, making it a tight fit in the existing straw weight division. But the UFC boss didn’t simply shrug it off; he actively considered introducing a women’s atom weight class at 105 pounds. A division that does not currently exist in the UFC but thrives in organizations such as ONE and Invicta.
However, this is about more than just one fighter. Martinez may have been the spark, but Dana White’s vision is far-reaching. The demand to accommodate smaller fighters will only increase as the UFC continues to tap into deep reservoirs of talent across Asia and South America. His statements were also not ambiguous; he clearly said that a new division may emerge if talent continues to grow in China, Japan, and Korea. Whether this leads to further reform across all weight classes has to be seen, but for a promotion that is notoriously resistant to change, even a rumor of a new division sounds like the first crack in the wall.
What do you think? Will we see a new weight division in 2025? Let us know in the comments.
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