What do you think about hw (heavy weight) divisions in general? It's like this in boxing too, but I'll try to get back on topic.
In boxing, the rules you have to follow, make a weight difference a MONUMENTAL advantage. The worst knockout I have ever seen is Arturo Gatti vs. Joey Gamache
Now, Gamache was probably going to lose anyway, but he wasn't a bad fighter. (You don't make a living in the pros if you aren't damn good) They both made weight, but Gatti gained it back for the day of the fight. you can see what a 20 lb weight advantage will do. (They say in the video 15, it was later found out to be 20) I've seen more spectacular knockouts, but that was the "worst" one, the guy was out on his feet after the first punch, completely unconscious, just a freak thing that he stayed on balance, then he got his with two more, at full force, that were right on the button. (I remember seeing this fight when it actually happened lol. I actually remember saying to my grandfather in the first round "they can't be in the same weight class, look at the size difference!)
So 20lbs is A LOT to give up in, in any fighting sport. That clip right there ended Gamache's career. In the beginning, the ufc it was not as big a deal because the little guys knew jiu jitsu. The big ass hulks were just strikers (and not super good ones either)
Now, it's pretty much an even playing field. Everyone knows jj. The playing field is a lot more level. So in the hw division...I'll just give an example...
Couture vs Lesnar. Both considered hw, but when you watch that fight, for Couture to win IMO, would have been a miracle. All Brock has to do is get a hold of him. Brock knew how to wrestle, some JJ etc.
At what point do you create or change the divisions so that it's more fair? Bc Couture is an amazing fighter, but in the octagon with any of the recent champs, and he is dwarfed.
I understand that the division needs a large enough pool to make it work, but giving up 40,50,60 lbs to an opponent who is trained roughly as good as you are...for those of you who have fought, you know what a steep hill that is to climb. IMO a guy like Randy and Brock don't belong in the ring together unless you are going back to the original format...which now, even if it were legal, I don't think it would work. Valasquez vs Royce Gracie? I love Royce, but I don't think he would stand a chance. It's too much weight to give up with a fighter that is well trained.
Here is basically what I'm saying. You've got the divisions, because if you didn't separate based on weight, the fight wouldn't be fair. That stops at the hw division. But the concept doesn't. I think at some point, they need to fix that. I don't know how, but I think it needs to happen.
