http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/12/18/10510576/addition-of-weight-classes-iv-ban-proposed-at-historic-weight-cuttingChairperson Sean Wheelock said Thursday at the California State Athletic Commission's weight-cutting summit that the committee has approved a plan to alter and add weight classes to the unified rules of mixed martial arts.
The outline for the new divisions would be as follows, by division: 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 225, 265 (heavyweight) and super heavyweight. The 170-pound division would be abolished.
The 10-person committee approved this change by a vote of 9-0 with one abstention. The plan will now go to the medical committee, chaired by CSAC executive officer Andy Foster. If approved there, Association of Boxing Commissions president Mike Mazzulli will send it to the board of directors and it will be voted on by the ABC body at the annual meeting in August.
Of course, any changes to the Unified Rules of MMA would then have to be adopted by the individual state and tribal athletic commissions. A promotion like the UFC or Bellator would also be under no obligation to adopt them, but Jeff Novitzky, the UFC vice president of athlete health and performance, said he has spoken with UFC matchmakers Joe Silva and Sean Shelby and they are not against changes.
Thoughts?
I like the idea of 115 as it'll get some Thai and Filipino fighters work in North America...
I think I would rather go with 150-165-180-190 instead of 145-155-165-175-185-195. Love the idea of splitting up the HWs and adding SHW.