At MixedMartialArts.com, I opine about the bitter harvest Elite XC is reaping from Gary Shaw's decision to ignore the weight classes outlined in the unified rules:
When boxing promoter Gary Shaw decided to start promoting MMA, one of his first moves was to deviate from the weight classes outlined in the unified rules. He dispensed with the 135lb class for women, replacing it with a 140lb class. And in the men's divisions, he exchanged the usual 155lb lightweight class for a 160lb class.
Shaw put his thumb on the scales, attempting to give an advantage to two of the only stars in his organization. Now it's coming back to bite him.
I believe that Shaw's cynical willingness to bend the rules to his advantage betrays a contempt for MMA as a sport. Sports have rules. Rules that are followed.