TLDR
- Joe Rogan called for more UFC weight classes after Cameron Smotherman collapsed following his weigh-in
- Rogan argues additional divisions would reduce extreme weight cutting and improve fighter safety
- The UFC currently has only eight men’s weight classes, limiting championship opportunities
- No fighter has ever won titles in three different UFC weight divisions
- UFC President Dana White has previously resisted adding more weight classes to the promotion
Sources: BJPenn.com | Middle Easy | Bloody Elbow
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is calling for the promotion to add more weight classes as a solution to dangerous weight-cutting practices in mixed martial arts. His comments came after bantamweight fighter Cameron Smotherman collapsed following his weigh-in for a scheduled bout with Ricky Turcios.
Smotherman successfully made weight but collapsed shortly afterward, forcing the cancellation of his fight. While the fighter insisted he hadn’t cut much weight, the incident reignited debate about weight-cutting dangers in MMA.
Eight Champions Not Enough
During an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” the longtime UFC color commentator argued that the current eight weight classes create unnecessary limitations. He believes more divisions would encourage fighters to compete closer to their natural weight.
“I think for MMA, they really need to recognize this that one of the things that’s going to stop weight cuts is give people more weight classes, give people more options,” Rogan said. “This idea of only having eight champions in MMA is very, very limiting.”
Rogan pointed out that in UFC history, only a handful of fighters have won championships in two different weight classes. No fighter has ever captured titles in three divisions.
He referenced Alex Pereira as an example of extreme weight fluctuations in the sport. Pereira currently walks around at approximately 240 pounds but previously competed at middleweight (185 pounds).
“If they had more options, and they had more weight classes, I think we’d have more competitive fights, we’d have less extreme weight cutting, we’d have healthier fighters,” Rogan explained.
More Champions Means More Opportunities
The podcast host believes expanding the number of weight divisions would create more championship opportunities for deserving fighters. “Just more champions is better,” Rogan said. “There’s a lot of guys that could be champions, it’s just there’s not a weight class for them.”
The proposal faces potential resistance from UFC leadership. President Dana White has previously shown little enthusiasm for adding more weight classes to the organization.
Weight cutting remains one of the most controversial practices in combat sports. Fighters often shed significant amounts of water weight in the days leading up to weigh-ins to compete in lower weight classes.
The practice can lead to severe dehydration, kidney problems, and other health complications. Several high-profile incidents have occurred over the years, including fighters missing weight or requiring medical attention.
Rogan’s suggestion comes at a time when fighter safety continues to be a major topic in MMA. The sport has implemented various measures over the years, including earlier weigh-ins and additional medical monitoring.
The UFC currently features eight men’s weight classes: flyweight (125 pounds), bantamweight (135), featherweight (145), lightweight (155), welterweight (170), middleweight (185), light heavyweight (205), and heavyweight (265). The promotion also has four women’s divisions.
Other combat sports organizations feature more weight classes. Boxing, for example, has 17 different weight divisions recognized by major sanctioning bodies.
Smotherman has since recovered from his weigh-in collapse and did not suffer any serious medical complications from the incident.
