Why the UFC Should Also Absorb the Strikeforce 205 Division
by darkotto23 on Dec 22, 2011 6:33 PM EST
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As I was doing research for my last fanpost I stumbled upon an interesting fact. As of right now there are only 30 Light Heavyweights under contract with the UFC. I always knew the division was a bit shallow (why would you have guys like Luis Cane and Brandon Vera in the top 25?), but I never imagined it was that bad.
It’s so bad that besides the recently introduced flyweights the 205 division is the shallowest in the UFC. Yes, there are now even more Heavyweights than 205ers.
Which brings me to the main point of this fanpost, the UFC already plans on absorbing the Stikeforce heavyweights because their division is “too shallow”; why not also absorb the 205ers if their division has even less fighters? (For the record I think the UFC should bring over all the top Strikeforce fighters regardless of divison.) It’s what the UFC did with their last sister organization with the WEC.
As of right now there are currently 11 Light Heavyweights in Strikeforce. Doesn’t it make sense for guys like Gegard, Mo, Feijao, and OSP to make the jump over to the UFC?
I’m glad that Strikeforce is being kept alive because I would hate to see the women fighters out of work, but it’s silly to keep a divison with only 11 fighters. Merging the two groups of fighters would make the UFC’s shallowest division a bit deeper with at the very least 40+ fighters under contract.
Another thing to consider is the lack of contenders for Jon Jones to fight at 205. He’s already beat the #4, #5, #6, #16, #17, #21 and #24 ranked LHWs in the UFC. Besides Hendo, Rashad, Phil Davis who is there left for Jones to fight?
People might not be sold on Mo, Feijao, and Gegard as true contenders but their addition to the UFC couldn’t hurt.
So yea, I don’t know how to end this so I just will…
Sources:
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/rankings
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_Strikeforce_fighters
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_UFC_fighters
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100% agree... a closer look shows that this division is in serious trouble
Recently I’ve had a new metric for determining just how deep a division is, and that is by looking at how deep the division is over in Bellator. Bad news folks, LHW is about the weakest division going in Bellator. Their Champ recently got wiped out by Travis Wiuff (The same guy who got smoked by King Mo in his MMA debut).
If you look closely there just are not too many high end prospects coming through the ranks right now. UFC has Phil Davis, Gustafsson, Nedkov (who I’m not too high on as far as being a top end talent), and Te Huna. The brightest prospect they have signed in the last 6 months in Ryan Jimmo. Jon Jones will have the division cleaned out in 2-3 fights. Rashad/Davis winner, Hendo, and then maybe a Gustafsson/Lil’ Nog winner.
Many of the “stars” of the division have serious issues and are on the back side of their career. Forrest, Franklin, Tito, and Bonnar are all a lot closer to the end of their career then even their Prime. Hendo is 41, and time is not on his side. Shogun, and Thiago Silva are injury prone. Machida is solid, but has spoke multiple times about retiring early, and has now lost 3 of 4. Rampage is still a draw, but won’t get another title shot unless Jones decides to leave the division. Bader is still around, but Jones already dealt with him, and Rampage could finish him off from ever being a top contender again in Feb.
This division is in trouble, and they should bring the Strikeforce roster over as soon as possible. Mo said his contract is up after the Larkin fight, so he might be the first one, but the sooner the better for the rest.
I would absolutely support guys like Mo and Jacare being brought over into the UFC. There isn’t much for anyone to do in the division in Strikeforce, especially if there’s only 11 people under contract. I’m sure the UFC is aware of the lack of depth in their light heavyweight division, and I hope that they decide to grab the entirety of the Strikeforce division, as they could really use it. And who doesn’t want to see Mo/Rampage, or see how Gegard fares against the elite?
The things about keeping the Strikeforce lightheavyweight division around is that is would allow Zuffa to scoop up high-profile 205-prospects that aren’t UFC-ready. Bellator’s propensity to mine the BE Scouting Report to death should be a little concerning to Shelby and Silva.
But given the dearth of 205 prospects, having Strikeforce around to store young fighters would be a great thing to prevent Bellator from signing these guys
they can do the same thing by absorbing the division
and just match the incoming fighters with lower level competition, like the fringe guys brought in from Strikeforce. i think most fighters would prefer to be on the undercard of a UFC than a Strikeforce event. if they’re fighting the same level of competition coming in, it would definetely be more enticing because they know if they keep winning they can make it to the top of the UFC.
by lordrubbish on Dec 23, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
They can, but the UFC does not really give prospects an easy time to develop. They throw their prospects to the wolves, because it’s part of their stance on having the best fighters fight the best fighters.
Strikeforce could bring in all kinds of greens and give them a place to become more well-rounded and UFC-ready.
yeah, good pt.
Shamar Bailey vs. Evan Dunham was a perfect example. same with Ronys vs. Guillard. Thiago vs. Koscheck… Abedi vs. Alves… Lesnar vs. Mir the list goes on and on. I wonder why they can’t do debut fighter vs. debut fighter, then 1 win vs. 1 win etc. match guys based on proximal UFC experience. I guess it limits the ability to put on exciting matchups somewhat, but maybe it could ultimately build a better talent pool… maybe it’s also a matter of what fights the fighters’ management agrees too.
Shamar Bailey wasn’t and will never be a prospect. They were trying to build Dunham up and are banking on him.
by discoandherpes on Dec 23, 2011 5:12 PM EST up reply actions
When SF picked him up and he was 10-1 with a win on a Challenger card he was considered a prospect. I think some people expected him to win the fight with Wilcox
I think that’s more of an instance of people not using the eyeball test. A lot of times in MMA records and stats aren’t as useful as watching a guy fight and evaluating him.
by discoandherpes on Dec 24, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
This is an interesting post. I never thought of the lack of death at 205; I mean before JBJ starting wrecking every top contender, I thought the 205 division was probably the division most stacked with elite, well-known fighters. I still think the 205 division is deep with legitimate, world-class talents in the UFC and Strikeforce, but your suggestion is very compelling given the fact JBJ potentially clear out a stacked division in record time. UFC needs to get at Jimi Manuwa and Glover Texeira.
I do not think the move should be immediate though. Like, give Strikeforce another year (at least) with the division so that they can crown another champion. Even if the champion is not considered a threat by people who closely follow the sport, there is bound to be hype surrounding that fight. Plus, it gives Strikeforce a little more time to groom their 205 prospects. Marcus Pezao, Roger Gracie and Yoel Romero could use a few fights to regain some hype they had going into 2011 and I want to see a rematch between Feijao and Mike Kyle
I am really interested to see the upcoming 205 Scouting Report. Should be some good finds in that. Hope to see Misha Cirkunov and Robert Drysdale there this year
The problem with 205 is that there are about seven elite fighters and the rest are either mid card fighters or prospects.
by discoandherpes on Dec 22, 2011 8:44 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I have to agree with that. I think what Strikeforce should do a LHWGP and then fold (like HW). The way UFC folded the HW division is so strategic because they are going to garner at least two very touted contenders: Alistair Overeem is already there and the GP winner is going to excite a lot of people.
Gegard Mousasi, King Mo, Feijao, Mike Kyle, OSP, Roger Gracie, Lorenz Larkin, and the winner of the upcoming scrap between Trevor Smith and Gian Villante could make an exciting tournament. Plus, they could organize a ton of reserve bouts to jump start their prospects like Marcos Pezao, Romero, Rhadi Ferguson (if he hasn’t hung them up), and maybe throw in their very low-tier prospects like Joe Cason, Lionel Lanhem and Virgil Zwicker. I guess Derrick Mehmen is coming off a SF win too…
I guess the problem there is that they would have to book a lot of rematches, but I don’t really think that’d be bad because most of the fights that have already taken place (Feijao/Kyle, Mo/Gracie, Mo/Mousasi, OSP/Mousasi, Villante/Larkin), but those fights were pretty exciting. I’d watch them again.
Hell, almost forgot about Babalu, not sure what he has been up to (if he is still fighting that is), but I would love to see him fight again in SF
I doubt they care about the Heath fight anymore, Babalu won’t come back because he got destroyed in the first round by Mousasi, and Hendo, and had a very lackluster fight against a MW Robbie Lawler in between. Babalu isn’t top 25 anymore, and he isn’t a big enough of a legend to sell a show, that is why we won’t see him in UFC anymore.
I like the idea
just because it gets Gegard and Feijao in the UFC. those two, as well as King Mo are the only guys I see adding any real depth to the division. the rest will likely be mid/ low level UFC fighters.
idk whether 205 is shallow or is it just Jones making it look easy. as far as deepening the division, UFC needs to get Vinny Magalhaes back in the UFC idk why they didn’t keep him. he made it to the TUF finale got caught by a Bader right hand and was never seen again. usually finalists get a chance to prove themselves even if they get brutally KO’d quick (e.g. Schaub).
Glover Texeira for sure. I’d like the see them get Mamed Khalidov as well, though IDK if he’s 205 or 185.
I don’t think 205 is shallow, JBJ is just that good that he makes a littany elite fighters look so far below him.
I’m glad Magalhaes got some time out of the UFC to develop. It allowed him to compete twice more at the ADCC, which was great for his resume/notoriety. And its padded his once completely awful record; he was like 2-3 with the cut, then he lost his next fight outside the UFC. He still needs to work on his striking. Mikhail Zayats was working him on the feet and would’ve won the decision IMO if Vinny hadn’t found the knockout.
Mamed is at 185
I thought he fought at both 185 and 205 and is the 205 KSW champ
either way, I’d like to see him in the UFC regardless of weight class
Magalhaes has definitely earned another shot in the UFC after the run he’s been on, but they were entirely right to cut him way back when. He didn’t just lose in devastating fashion to Bader; he was dominated by Elliot Marshall in his next UFC which dropped him to a 2-4 MMA record. I’d love to see him back though.
I think it’s only a matter of time before Teixera gets his shot. He’s been on everyone’s radar since Sokoudjou became relevant.
And Khalidov is 185 pounder.
I'm on board.
I had not thought to actually check the numbers there. Thank you for pointing that out.
I know I am a hopeluss nuthugger....
….but I still think Mousasi has a good chance to defeat Bones…..and by good, I mean like 25%….not one else in Zuffa/Forza breaks 15% chance….but yes, bring over the SF 205ers!
formerly NeilLomaxFan
by BrothersGottaAndyHug on Dec 23, 2011 11:08 PM EST reply actions
If he had better cardio, a better bottom game, and better wrestling I would give him a chance.
by discoandherpes on Dec 24, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
This really makes me wish I was like 60 pounds bigger
I could cut to 205 from 220 no problem. Unfortunately I am just a little guy trying to fight at 135 or 145
I enjoy MMA, but I am no Michael Bisping
How tall are you? I know you’re aiming to fight at those lower weight classes. I’m about 5’8 or 5’9 and weight like 143.
by discoandherpes on Dec 24, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
5'7"
I have a bit of a stockier wrestlers build like Tyson Griffin and I am about 160 to 165 right now, but this is without being in wrestling and/or fighting shape. Although I will fight at whatever weight I can get fights at. Moneyweight, Franklinweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight, whatever. If I could make it without cutting off my legs I’d go down to 125.
I enjoy MMA, but I am no Michael Bisping
by Andy Anderson on Dec 24, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
So...
adding a couple of good guys and guys that will get cut after a fight or two, makes the division deeper? If anything, they should add these guys so the existing contenders can have someone to beat up on besides themselves. I like Gegard, but he would be a fringe contender at best. I love OSP’s potential, but he would get lost in the UFC. I love Feijao as well, but he and Mo would be mid level guys.
Yes, it would be good to add these guys, but let’s not act like they would drastically change the division. And, let’s not think the division is weak, because they don’t have a bunch of guys littering up the division. I much prefer a sleek division full of competitive guys, like LHW, over a division with a bunch of guys that are only there because they weigh between 206-265.
"Okay, Lindsay, are you forgetting that I was a professional twice over - an analyst and a therapist. The world's first analrapist."
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