Dana White says there will be no 165 pounds division in the UFC. Speaking to Aaron Bronsteter of the TSN. The UFC President cleared the air on the often debated 165 lbs. division. Earlier, Khabib Nurmagomedov made headlines after he revealed that Eagle FC will start a new 165 pounds division, which will be called the super-lightweight division. Dana White has repeatedly stated that there would never be a 165-pound division in the UFC.
Once again confirming the same, Dana White said they have no plans for a new weight division in the UFC, which also includes any hopes for an atom weight division or super-heavyweight division. With that being said, the Women’s featherweight division continues to remain stagnant with Amanda Nunes standing tall as the Champion.
165 Pound division – Kevin Lee to make 165 lbs. debut at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC
Kevin Lee signed a 4-fight contract with the Eagle FC and is expected to make his debut at the 165-pound division in March, later this year. The entry of a fresh new 165 lbs. division could prompt other MMA promotions to start it as well. A division between the lightweight and welterweight divisions has been on the wish-list of many fighters. In the past, UFC has agreed to several bouts at the 165-pound division as a catch-weight bout.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says the planned weight classes for #EagleFC will be 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185 and 205 plus heavyweight.
He says they may do 125 down the road if enough talent exists. He also adds “we’ll see” about potentially adding women’s divisions.
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) December 15, 2021
In a lot of ways, it makes sense considering it leaves a 10-pound difference for each weight division instead of 15. Many would argue it gives a lot of benefit to fighters who don’t prefer to cut so much weight. It goes without saying that the weight difference during fight day can make a huge impact on the outcome of the fight. Kevin Lee has fought at the UFC’s lightweight and welterweight division, missing weight in the 155 lbs. division on more than one occasion.
It will be interesting to see how he performs at the newly inserted 165-pound division. Meanwhile, it will be equally exciting to see how many other fighting promotions will follow suit and the fighters who might move to Eagle FC because of the weight class. In the past, fighters like Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, and Ben Askren among others have expressed their desire to compete in this weight division.
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