Champ Jose Aldo and title challenger Conor McGregor
Photos by Josh Hedges/Jeff Bottari via Getty Images
With the implementation of the women's Strawweight division the UFC now has 10 champions to participate in the ambitious 2015 goal of 45 events. I’d like to share my thoughts on what makes some weightclasses more thrilling then others. Which division is worth spending your valuable time and money on? Does technique and speed get your attention as demonstrated by the lighter weight classes? Do you like seeing titans clash in epic bloodbaths? Is there an absolute perfect harmony of elements you seek that is a blend of all things?
It has been 5 years since the UFC crowned Jose Aldo Jr the inaugural undisputed UFC Featherweight champion. In the history of the UFC's 22 year existence that accounts for over 20 percent and in that light it's interesting that the featherweight division still feels relatively new.
It could be because there has only been one champion and he doesn’t speak English. Jose Aldo has an impressive 7 UFC title defenses but he hasn't been a big draw with North American audiences and the language barrier is a big reason why. It could be because the featherweights are only getting the increased attention within the last couple years. So what happened which caused a growth.
It could be because there has only been one champion and he doesn’t speak English. Jose Aldo has an impressive 7 UFC title defenses but he hasn't been a big draw with North American audiences and the language barrier is a big reason why. It could be because the featherweights are only getting the increased attention within the last couple years. So what happened which caused a growth.
Former Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar dropped down to the featherweight division in early 2013. A wrestler based fighter with exceptional footwork and toughness. Conor McGregor arrived on the scene in April that year against Marcus Brimage. Chad Mendez started turning a corner with his striking under the tutelage of Duane Ludwig resulting in 3 victories in 2013 of which 2 were by TKO.
Interest in the division is now at the highest it’s ever been and it’s because of the growth of the fighters’ skills and how well we’ve gotten to know them over those two and a half years. There are contrasting personalities but it took Conor McGregor to get the mouths working for the division to come out in defense of itself. We learned that Lamas can do impressions through skit comedy. We learned that Dustin Porier was emotionally charged up when in the presence of his brash foe thanks to UFCs Embedded series. And the fact that Jose Aldo doesn’t speak English isn’t a barrier as much as it used to. The world tour of him and McGregor brought out the champ’s personality as well which came across to fans.
In terms of the deepest divisions the clear leader is Lightweight but Featherweight’s development has brought it in second place for depth and skill. This despite being 9 years younger. The aforementioned Dustin Porier has left the division but his featherweight run was filled with exciting wars and finishes of which he’s been on both sides of victory. Cub Swanson, Dennis Burmudez, Ricardo Lamas, Max Holloway are all in different points of their career but offer fantastic additions to any card for fight fans.
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