The UFC/Zuffa has said for years now that it intends to add the 125-pound flyweight class to its offerings, and I, for one, am way past ready to see the super-little guys mix it up in the Octagon.
If you’ve followed the flyweight class at all over the past few years, then you know that not only does it possess some legit talent, but it also can be home to some of the most exciting fights in the sport. Plus, having another weight class would be fun for an MMA nerd like me to pontificate about.
I don’t know…maybe I’m just getting all up in arms over nothing. And maybe it actually is something. When you look at the guys who could compete in the UFC at 125 pounds, it’s hard not to salivate at some of the possible matchups.
Right off the bat, we’d probably get to see something like Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez for the vacant title. Now there’s a fight that would have me preparing my popcorn before the lights even went dark and little fighters sponsored by huge names in Amp and XBox hit the cage.
You can also look at the fact that there are a whole host of guys currently fighting above their weight class at bantamweight who would drop down and would immediately make an exciting division. For instance, current TUFfers John Dodson and Louis Gaudinot could be big players in the little division.
Some have said that a general lack of depth at the lighter weights has kept Zuffa from adding flyweights to the UFC roster, but there is enough immediate talent to create a sustainable division. If you remember, the lightweight division was once completely eliminated from the UFC roster, only to quickly develop into one of the deepest in the organization when it was brought back. Sure, it took some time, but who’s to say that an all-flyweight season of TUF couldn’t do for 125ers what TUF 5 did for the lightweights?
But any way you look at it, I’m ready for the flyweights.