There has been several requests from UFC fighters for the promotion to open up a 165 weight class.
UFC President Dana White, who recently signed a seven year contract extension, says that a 165 pound weight class won?t happen as long as he is around.
?Not in the next seven years, that I promise,? White said to Barstool Sports (via Ryan Harkness of MMA Mania). ?I?m here for seven more years, when I go they can make a 180, 165, 122, whatever they wanna do when I?m gone, they can do. It ain?t happening while I?m here. What?s the appeal in it??
The UFC currently has twelve weight classes, ranging from women?s strawweight all the way to heavyweight.
White also believes that opening a 165 pound weight class will drain the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
?You build a 165-pound division, you completely drain both of those divisions,? he said. ?It ain?t happening while I?m here. These divisions are stacked; we?ve got tons of great fights in both divisions. We don?t need a 165-pound division.?
It would appear that the only shot for a 165 pound weight class in the UFC would be if White doesn?t re-sign with the promotion after his latest contract expires.