The Division Shift Theory
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The Division Shift Theory
Lay_N_Pray
10/22/07 6:28:44PM
I was just thinking about fighters that switch weight classes the other day and there is something I cant really wrap my head around.
In MMA, fighters tend to move down in class if they decide to change weight, but in boxing fighters tend to move up and I have a theory but it is debatable so I would like to here your thoughts.
MMA fighters tend to move down because they struggle. Even if a fighter is successful in a division like Bisping or Vera...they may decide it is to difficult to perform at that level all the time and move down where they would be the strongest.
In boxing they move up because they found success in their division. They may lose power advantage but you rarely see KO guys move up. Usually good point scoring boxers will move up because they dont really lose any advantage and the money is better with the more titles you can capture.
I dont really know though so maybe someone can explain it better.
In MMA, fighters tend to move down in class if they decide to change weight, but in boxing fighters tend to move up and I have a theory but it is debatable so I would like to here your thoughts.
MMA fighters tend to move down because they struggle. Even if a fighter is successful in a division like Bisping or Vera...they may decide it is to difficult to perform at that level all the time and move down where they would be the strongest.
In boxing they move up because they found success in their division. They may lose power advantage but you rarely see KO guys move up. Usually good point scoring boxers will move up because they dont really lose any advantage and the money is better with the more titles you can capture.
I dont really know though so maybe someone can explain it better.
Boo_Radley21
10/22/07 6:37:10PM
Makes sense to me.
tuvok500
10/22/07 6:37:20PM
the difference is that in boxing you can't grab your opponent and try to wrestle him on the ground. The weight difference is a big problem in mma when it come to control the body of a guy who is biger and heavier than you.
that's why you see mma guy dropping in a lower weight division instead of moving up.
that's why you see mma guy dropping in a lower weight division instead of moving up.
three_days_of_grey
10/22/07 8:27:56PM
Take a look at the weight divisions in boxing:
HW: Unlimited
Cruiser: 200
LHW: 175
Spr. MW: 168
MW: 160
Jr. MW: 154
WW: 147
Jr. WW: 140
LW: 135
Jr. LW: 130
FthrW: 126
Jr. FthrW: 122
BtmW: 118
Jr. BtmW: 115
FlyW: 112
Jr. Fly: 108
StrawW: 105
As you can see, it is much easier for boxers to move up a division or two (with the exception of LHW-HW). The difference between WW and Junior Lightweight (4 weight classes) is only 17 lbs. With the exception of the aforementioned classes, size isnt as much a disparity as it is in MMA.
MMA fighters may struggle because everyone is cutting now and it is almost impossible to fight at your natural weight w/o giving up the size and power advantage to your opponent. Think about this: Sanchez, Koscheck, Florian were originally MW's. I would think that if GSP, for example, could fight at 168 and 175 he certainly would; or Stevenson at 154 and 160.
-OUT-
HW: Unlimited
Cruiser: 200
LHW: 175
Spr. MW: 168
MW: 160
Jr. MW: 154
WW: 147
Jr. WW: 140
LW: 135
Jr. LW: 130
FthrW: 126
Jr. FthrW: 122
BtmW: 118
Jr. BtmW: 115
FlyW: 112
Jr. Fly: 108
StrawW: 105
As you can see, it is much easier for boxers to move up a division or two (with the exception of LHW-HW). The difference between WW and Junior Lightweight (4 weight classes) is only 17 lbs. With the exception of the aforementioned classes, size isnt as much a disparity as it is in MMA.
MMA fighters may struggle because everyone is cutting now and it is almost impossible to fight at your natural weight w/o giving up the size and power advantage to your opponent. Think about this: Sanchez, Koscheck, Florian were originally MW's. I would think that if GSP, for example, could fight at 168 and 175 he certainly would; or Stevenson at 154 and 160.
-OUT-