The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) currently operates eight weight classes for its male competitors, ranging from 125 pounds to heavyweight. While the majority of these divisions maintain a 10-pound gap between them, substantial differences exist in some cases. This disparity has prompted several notable fighters, including Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier, to propose the establishment of a new division positioned between lightweight and welterweight.
Most recently, Dan Hooker has added his voice to the chorus advocating for a super lightweight division. In a recent interview, Hooker emphasized the significant benefits it would offer fighters who currently struggle to fit comfortably within the lightweight or welterweight categories.
The lightweight and welterweight divisions are renowned for their abundance of elite talent and depth of competition within the UFC. However, a considerable number of fighters in both divisions possess physical attributes that would make them better suited for a weight class in between. The proposed super lightweight division, potentially set at 165 pounds, would provide a more optimal platform for these athletes to showcase their skills and compete on a level playing field.
While support for the creation of a 165-pound bracket has also come from Conor McGregor, it has consistently been met with rejection by UFC President Dana White. Despite White’s current stance, the possibility of a future reversal cannot be entirely dismissed, as he has demonstrated a willingness to reconsider previous statements in the past.
