"They’ll still miss weight": Mixed reactions to Joe Rogan’s proposal for a weight class every ten pounds in MMA

UFC commentator Joe Rogan is stoking the fight safety and fairness debate with a controversial suggestion that the sport's weight divisions undergo a radical shake-up. In a recent episode of his popular The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, he immediately went right at the line and wanted to make a few adjustments to ensure the safety of the fighters by creating a weight class every 10 pounds for the men suggesting as it stands the 20-pound gaps, like we see between middleweight (185 lbs) and light heavyweight (205 lbs), are too large and therefore dangerous.

Why Joe Rogan wants more weight classes in MMA

This ideology aligns with boxing, which has 17 different weight classes. He says that closing the weight gaps would prevent the excessive weight cuts many fighters regularly undertake, which can leave them dehydrated, more prone to injury, or at risk of underperforming. More weight classes would allow fighters to compete at or closer to their natural walking weight, resulting in more competitive matchups and safer fights.Also Read: “No UFC fighter has ever died”: Donald Trump sparks fierce debate on boxing vs UFC on Joe Rogan podcast

Mixed reactions and potential challenges

However, not everyone agrees with Rogan's suggestion, despite the potential benefits. Some fans and analysts said that even if there were more weight classes, fighters would still go to extremes to lose weight before a fight to gain an advantage.One fan on social media commented, "They’ll still miss weight. I get what you’re saying if you make it 10 pounds it’s less likely but they’ll still be guys that miss weight cuts."

That underscores the idea that the problem isn't necessarily how many weight classes there are but how weight is managed in MMA at the cultural and enforcement levels. Enacting such changes would also necessitate major shifts in the rules, scheduling, and perhaps fighter contracts governing the sport. The UFC also would have to think about setting up new divisions, tweaking the rankings, and ensuring fighters actually show up at the new weight limits.

Regardless, his proposal has opened the floodgates for some important conversations about fighter welfare, but Dana White might have trouble actually implementing it. Whilst there are potential advantages in introducing new weight divisions, the difficulties in enforcing this change are what keep the debate raging on within the MMA community.