Gary Shaw's Weight Class Expansion

by Luke Thomas on Nov 1, 2007 11:02 AM EDT in MMA News

Over at Fight Opinion, Zach Arnold is fearful that Shaw is importing what boxing's doing wrong into MMA. Notable quote:

Gary Shaw is now changing the way he wants to do weight classes for fights in EXC. This is, in my opinion, a cancerous boxing mentality being brought to MMA. Someone needs to tell Gary that there's a reason why the standard weigh classes defined by the Unified rules have worked out pretty well so far in this industry. First it's more weight classes and then in the future we'll have sanctioning bodies based out of Costa Rica and Monte Carlo to bring `integrity' to the business. Spare me.

There are other problems with Shaw's logic as well. Aside from adding perfunctory divisions, the idea that Shaw is adding new weight classes for the health of the fighters is dubious. To some extent, there is truth that more weight classes allows fighters to find a more "natural" fit. They can cut a comfortable amount of weight and still retain all of the energy and athleticism required to compete at a professional level.

However, fighters cut weight to strike a balance: how much weight can I cut and still perform as close to my peak level? How can I leverage my size to my advantage? Thus, there's nothing stopping a fighter from trying to reach the next lowest weight class if they believe the cut calculus ends up in their favor. In fact, Nick Diaz - one of EliteXC's stars who historically fights at 170lbs - actually has to cut more weight to make 160lbs. Again, I'm not suggesting he's not finding the right balance in his particular case. What I'm arguing is that the addition of more weight classes will only marginally preclude fighters from cutting drastic amounts of weight to maximize the use of their weight and size.

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Re: Gary Shaw's Weight Class Expansion

I dont think Zach thought this one through. Um, Shaw is adding one weight class. ONE! Suddenly, he's ruining MMA? He's making the same mistakes boxing made? Zach extrapolates one added weight class into sanctioning bodies from other countries? And what exactly does this mean "Someone needs to tell Gary that there's a reason why the standard weigh classes defined by the Unified rules have worked out pretty well so far in this industry." What's the reason?
Shaw's new classes are 140, 150, and 160. He eliminated 155, added 150 and 160, and moved 145 to 140. One new class.

The sky is falling...

by MoreThanUFC on Nov 1, 2007 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Gary Shaw's Weight Class Expansion

"He eliminated 155, added 150 and 160, and moved 145 to 140."

Um, I'm not sure I follow your math. "Changing" or "moving" weight class is another way of saying he created a new one. I see what you're saying insofar as Shaw didn't keep 155 or 170, etc. But when you combine his efforts with the existing established weight classes, you get an overall confused picture within the sport.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Gary Shaw's Weight Class Expansion

In the gestalt of it all, he's added one class, that's it. Zach's leap of faith ( read DOOM ) is barely even logical. "Changing" and "moving" are far different than "adding". Zach made this out to seem like Shaw is tinkering with the very fabric of our sport. Hardly. I'd like to hear him explain his "add a weight class" equates to "foreign sanctioning" and "the mistakes of boxing".
We'll talk on the next AGS. When is it?

by MoreThanUFC on Nov 1, 2007 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Gary Shaw's Weight Class Expansion

Luke, check out my TOTALLY FUCKING AWESOEM blog on this subject:

http://fightlinker.com/?p=870

In it you will see that you are LIKE TOTALLY WRONG AND STUFF while i am without a doubt THE SMARTEST MOTHERFUCKER OUT THERE.

by fightlinker on Nov 1, 2007 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Gary Shaw's Weight Class Expansion

Zach Arnold has always drank Fertitta's sperm for nourishment; one Can't really take him too seriously. He's just a wrestling guy that sees the world through pro-wrestling lenses. Akin to Meltzer, only less congenial.

These "new" weight classes. Well what makes them new (160 is new?)? I suppose Arnold thinks zuffa's weight classes are the originals handed down from god, or Vince McMahon, whomever. I personally welcome 160. But who cares that much? Zach Arnold's got a belly full and it's giving him aches and pains. Consider the source, why don't you, zach.

by tortempire on Nov 1, 2007 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Gary Shaw's Weight Class Expansion

Damn, dude. I wouldnt go this far. Zach's blog has gone to crap lately, and he is a "wrestling" guy, but he's normally been accused of being a "Pride-guy" more than an Iole-clone.

by MoreThanUFC on Nov 1, 2007 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Gary Shaw's Weight Class Expansion

I think it's lame, I like consistency. I gave Pride the benefit of the doubt on round times, number of rounds and weight classes, because they were around for so long and guys rarely fought in weight classes anyway. But if your a new fish, stick to the established classes of 135, 145, 155, 170, 185, 205, Heavyweight 206-265, and Super 265+. Don't build weight classes around your possible stars.

by Nate414 on Nov 1, 2007 9:41 PM EDT reply actions