Solving the Problems Facing the UFC’s Lighter Weight Divisions
Every single division in the UFC is in flux. Maybe they always were, but looking around today, the UFC needs to make some necessary steps to avert the stagnation that has plagued their divisions in recent months.
A quick breakdown of the UFC divisions and their problems:
Flyweight Division (125 lbs.)
Problem: Fans are still awaiting a champion after the 4-man tournament started on March 3, 2012. Obviously there was a delay due to the draw between Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall. Nonetheless, fans have sort of lost interest.
Solution: Finish the tournament and sign a few more noteworthy free agents like Mamoru Yamaguchi and Darrell Montague.
Bantamweight (135 lbs.)
Problem: The division was doing fine up until Dominick Cruz injured his knee on TUF 15. Renan Barao has claimed the interim championship, but after beating Urijah Faber there are few contenders left in the division. Many of the big players are coming off losses and outside of Michael McDonald the division is hurting after losing some of its top fighters to the Flyweight division. Not signing Bibiano Fernandes was a big mistake for the UFC. He could have been an immediate title contender.
Solution: It is time to create some new stars in the division. The UFC should book Kid Yamamoto against a striker like McDonald, Brad Pickett, or Eddie Wineland. Yamamoto still has some star power left and the UFC might as well throw him to the wolves before he is released. Sean Shelby, UFC matchmaker, needs to replicate what he did for Michael McDonald. McDonald put together a solid win streak against mid-level competition before facing a star. Shelby needs to carefully groom T.J. Dillashaw, Mike Easton, and Brad Pickett as future title contenders. Another season of bantamweights on The Ultimate Fighter could benefit the division as well.
Featherweight Division (145 lbs.)
Problem: Jose Aldo has basically wiped out the division. There are still some interesting title fights to be made, but the major mistake was awarding Erik Koch a title shot on the strength of a decision win over Jonathan Brookins. The UFC was in such a rush to book someone after Hatsu Hioki turned the title shot down that Koch was thrown into the fight without much fan appeal. Koch is capable of delivering highlight knockouts, but that does not equate to him being named the #1 contender. The Featherweight division is still sorting itself out with the huge influx of former UFC lightweights, but now that Chan Sung Jung and Ricardo Lamas have won marquee fights, Koch seems unworthy of fighting for the title.
Solution: “The Korean Zombie” and Lamas face off for the #1 contender spot. They are the clear-cut top contenders that have not faced Aldo as of yet. In the meantime, have Chad Mendes face Hatsu Hioki to start building a hierarchy in the division. If Frankie Edgar eventually cuts down to 145 lbs., he should be awarded an immediate title shot. The risk of Edgar possibly losing to Mendes or Diego Nunes would ruin a potential mega-fight with Aldo. The UFC needs to stop pretending that Frankie needs to earn a title shot, especially after Koch was gifted his.
