As the scheduled UFC 303 matchup between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler draws near, excitement builds for one of the most anticipated fights of 2024. However, the bout could take an even more intriguing turn if the UFC heeds the advice of former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. Cormier proposes the establishment of a new weight class between lightweight (155 pounds) and welterweight (170 pounds), designated as ‘super lightweight’ and set at 165 pounds. He believes that McGregor’s star power would generate immense interest in this new division, drawing comparisons to the impact he had in the featherweight and lightweight categories. Cormier suggests that the UFC could accommodate the new weight class by reshuffling its existing divisions upward. The welterweight limit would shift from 170 pounds to 175 pounds, and the middleweight limit would extend from 185 pounds to 195 pounds. The light heavyweight (205-pound limit) and heavyweight (265-pound limit) divisions would remain unchanged. However, Cormier’s cohost and former UFC middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen expresses disagreement, arguing that a 165-pound division is unnecessary. He emphasizes that the commission does not sanction 165-pound fights, and the UFC does not contest a 165-pound division. Sonnen believes the McGregor-Chandler fight should prioritize entertainment value over a non-existent championship belt. Regardless of the debate surrounding the potential new division, McGregor and Chandler are set to clash on June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas during International Fight Week. This high-stakes bout adds to the anticipation of the highly awaited event, leaving fight fans eagerly awaiting its outcome.
UFC 303: McGregor-Chandler Bout Could Inaugurate New ‘Super Lightweight’ Division
