5 UFC fighters that would be best suited for a 165lb division
UFC president Dana White has made it clear that he has no intention of introducing a 165lb division. Although some fighters have brought up the idea of competing at 165lbs, the promotion hasn't booked fights at that weight.
White isn't the only promoter who seems against the idea of a 165lb division. Last year, Bellator president Scott Coker mentioned he was content with his promotion’s weight divisions. He then added that it would take a collective effort from all the promotions and commissions for it to work.
“If we do it, I think all the organizations have to do it together. I think the commissions…everybody has to get on the same page. So, you would need a lot of people getting on the same page,” said Scott Coker during the Bellator 253 post-fight press conference.
Asked Bellator President @ScottCoker if he’d be open to a 165lb division in @BellatorMMA:
“I think if we do it, all the organizations have to do it together.”
Full scrum: youtu.be/21xPaL5VcpM #Bellator253 #Bellator #MMATwitter #MMA https://t.co/9Ui6whDuGd
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC promotion recently introduced the division and announced Kevin Lee vs. Diego Sanchez. If the division ends up being successful for Eagle FC, perhaps other promotions will change their stance. This list will look at five UFC fighters that would be best suited for a 165lb division.
#5. Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos
Since joining the UFC, Rafael dos Anjos has had success in two weight divisions. In 2015, he beat Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis by unanimous decision to become the new lightweight champion. His reign didn't last very long as Eddie Alvarez defeated him the following year.
After a loss to Tony Ferguson, the Brazilian moved up to welterweight. The move served him well as he didn’t have to deal with the burden of cutting the extra weight. He was 32 years old, and the weight-cutting was likely taking a toll on him leading into fights.
After three straight wins, the Brazilian earned an opportunity to become interim welterweight champion. He came up short in that bout and looked to have trouble against larger welterweights. Considering his age and size, dos Anjos would benefit from a 165lb division as it’d be his natural weight class.