Coming off the UFC 184 card that featured high caliber matches between women in the main event and co-main event slot, it is clear to see that women’s MMA has come along way. Throw in the emergence of Cristiane “Justino” Cyborg last Friday at Invicta, along with the Ronda Rousey – Cat Zingano and Holly Holm – Raquel Pennington bouts, and many say this is a high point for women’s MMA. Still, the UFC has come a long way from reaching its ceiling.
The UFC initiated their women’s ranks exclusively at 135 lbs., basing the whole thing around Rousey and what they foresaw was a dominant presence. For political reasons, the UFC chose to just start the 135 lb. weight class, leaving out all the other weight classes. This left “Cyborg” Justino on the outside looking in, as the UFC engaged in a campaign that is still going on to get her to drop to 135 lbs. Last week, the UFC said Justino would have to cut to 135, because the champion should not have to chase after anyone.
If they had initiated all the weight classes at once, like they should have, it probably would have shaken out much the same way: Justino with a belt at 145 and Rousey at 135. Rousey would have proceded to plow through the 135 lb. class as she already has, but instead of looking around for opponents, Rousey could naturally do what champions who have their division on lock do, and that is move up in weight and challenge Justino. She would have been lauded for doing it, instead of trying to make an opponent look bad.
[related_post_one]
The bottom line is that Justino has never really made 135 lbs, at least not in years during a very visible MMA career. She may never make the weight, and the UFC has painted themselves into a corner because the fight will likely never happen.
Meanwhile at 125 lbs., you have a large cache of talent that is also going to waste. Many are looking to bulk up to 135 lbs or cut to 115 leaving an entire weight division that is not developing talent and competition. In that weight class, there is arguably the most talent among the women than any of the other weight classes, but the UFC does not pursue growing the sport.
