World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) announced back in September that it would no longer support light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, deciding instead to focus on lighter weight classes such as welterweight (170 pounds), lightweight (155 pounds), featherweight (145 pounds) and bantamweight (135 pounds).
Now Zuffa plans to add flyweight (125-pounds) to that list of divisions.
The expected move does not yet have a timetable, but with the fight card for WEC 38 already complete, a possible debut would not come any earlier than the upcoming WEC event scheduled for San Diego in March.
This is good news for the WEC in wake of the recent changes. Many fans wondered if the existing roster would be enough to support the promotion on its own. Now with the addition of flyweight, the WEC will be able to tap into an already established division.
And what better time to introduce fans to the likes of Yuki Shoujou, BJ Kojima and the real Afro Samurai Mamoru Yamaguchi>?
It will also enable the promotion to showcase more lighter fighters more often on its cards and build more stars. Under the old format, several talented up-and-comers either didn’t fight frequently enough or were buried on the non-televised portion of the cards.
In addition, the light heavyweight and middleweight talent pools in the WEC were extremely shallow — champions had very few true number one contenders. Now with the additions of Chael Sonnen, Brian Stann and several others, the Octagon can expect a more diverse roster and perhaps better match-ups.
35 Comments »
they don’t get much smaller than that
That is true. To be honest I would rather see a female division. Anything smaller than 135 is getting into midget territory.
125 is pretty awesome. You should check out Mamoru (he’s like shogun) and Rambaat M16 Somdet HLs on youtube then you’ll see. M16- Only his ringside antics come close to matching his sick muay thai skills.
how can a MAN weigh 125 lbs? I just dont get it!
Can a 125 lb fighter beat an in shape regular dude weighing 205 lbs?
I just dont see me getting hurt by a 125 lb man, even if he is a pro fighter…I would probably just dump him on his head~
i agree, im cool with wec being about the lighter weights but i think it would be a lot better to introduce girls into the wec, that would bring all the “main stream” people from elite xc
125lbs, will bring exciting fights for cheap $$$, 125lbs is the smallest weight class in NCAA’s wrestlings so White definitely knows who that is going to attract… Henry Cejudo 125lbs olylmpic gold medalist is on WEC’s list of 125lbrs. Should also attract a few more fighters from overseas.
Said this yesterday, i think that this division will open the doors for a lot of Japanese fighters to come over. Also this could brinig in more hispanic fighters which would help Zuffas push to get into Mexico. Anyone think Torres can cut down to take this title too?
I don’t think so, Torres is 5′9″ if he cuts anymore weight it might be fatal.
True, I wonder right now how much he has to cut to get to 135.
Honestly, I’m not familiar even with any flyweight fighters. Hopefully they will be able to stack a division with some good talent. I also hope it doesn’t look like a bunch of little kids fighting.
Most of the worlds best flyweights are over in Shooto, hopefully that changes with this announcement.
PFC is getting 125ers and hopefully some other orgs will start getting guys since the biggest org for smaller guys are getting them.
There was that one guy on Tapout that was a 125er at Greg Jackson’s camp but he had to fight at 135 because Jackson could not get him any fights at 125. That dude was like a little spider monkey. Jackson predicted that he would be the 125 champ if there was a belt to be had. I am hoping to see him in the WEC. What was his name???
Was it Damacio Paige?
…or John Dodson?
That’s it. Nice one Mexi.
7th graders weigh more than that.
these guys must not eat or something
damn 125 pounds? they should be quick as hell.
That fat baby on Oprah could fight in this division
haha…classic…I saw that cause my girlfriend watches Oprah while I’m doin man stuff
Yeah Yeah!!!! I bet you are into “The Secret” and shit huh?
Bubba the Love Sponge was ragging on her about how she talked about how she is fat again for almost her whole show. Then she wants to suggest diets to unemployed housewives that need TV to tell them how to live and think.
hahaha…truely tragic…
truly
WEC rules. I love the product.
I’m a 125 fighter, now I gotta train my ass of to get there haha
Would be awesome
yes, great move…get more asians and latinos involved.
This will be the place to fight.
i just wish they consolidated wec with ufc; it would bring MUCH more pretige to those lighter weights.
Corey Hill should cut weight to get into this division
haha, that would be insane
“hmmm, five more pounds, just remove some ribs and ill be good”
heahea boa’ dat tickled my innereds right der.
hahahahaha
WAR Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy!!
Bring in Bao Quatch and Mark Oshiro.
Watch out for a guy name Daniel Otero, he’s going to own the division, mark my words.
some of these fighters would probably be cutting from around 145. its not like they “walk around” at 125. i have a friend who fights at 125 and ive seen him spar with 205lbers and hold his own.