Dana White, a key figure behind the UFC success, has announced plans to make necessary changes in the new boxing promotion mainly related to the weight division system. He believes that weight division requires revision as current division creates unnecessary convoluted complexity.
Changes in weight division category of the new boxing promotion will simplify the process and will help to make the system in a more organized manner. Not only will it simplify the sport but also eventually increase the experience for the fans as well as players. White is known for his business acumen and the partnership with Turki Alalshikh and TKO will provide the necessary backing to make the sport more interesting.
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Current State of Boxing Weight Classes
Current Boxing division features 17 weight classes and there are further subdivisions. Weight classes, coupled with multiple sanctioning bodies (WBC, IBF, WBA, WBO), leads to a proliferation of champions within each division. Having so many divisions creates convolution not only for the fans but also for the process of determining the top players among the divisions. In addition, It creates a lack of clarity among the viewers.
Dana White describes the current structure by calling it “Circus Act”. Not only does it make it difficult to identify the true champion of each division but also it is difficult to understand the hierarchy in each weight class. Having so much complexity in the system will eventually lead to lack of fans interest from the combat sports. To eradicate this issue White is trying to establish a more simpler format and legitimate one.
Dana White’s Proposed Changes
From 17 weight divisions to 8 is the proposal from White which will make the sport function more effectively and make it easier for fans to follow the sport. Drastic reduction of weight classes will remove the confusion caused by multiple titleholders. Converting the weight classes to a single digit will have only one champion in each weight and help fans to identify and follow top fighters.
This decision will remove all the confusion and complexity UFC is facing till now and can boost the UFC function in a more simpler and unified manner.
Dana White makes a statement:
“The model is proven to deliver the fights that fans want to see. The best will fight the best, and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions.”
Rationale Behind Fewer Weight Classes
Clarity: Reducing the 17 number of weight class divisions to a single digit 8 will give us the exact picture of the new boxing promotion. Not only will it simply have one champion per division but also reduce the confusion of top fighters in each division.
Competitive Integrity: White argues that having multiple title divisions degrade the integrity of boxing. Not only does it make fans lose interest in the sport due to multiple weight divisions but also make the process more complex for the team. Having a single champion per division will sort out all the problems for fans as well as UFC teams.
Simplified Matchmaking: Earlier methods create a problem in player match making as reduced format makes its easy and reliable process. Now we could witness more title shot fights rather than to climb up the division for a title shot opportunity.
Maintaining Traditional Elements
Dana White made an important and necessary change required in the favour and development of the promotion but assured to maintain its traditional boxing core. The historic weight limits for divisions (e.g. 126 lbs for featherweight) will still apply. In addition, fight length will remain the same as ten or twelve rounds. The main focus will be now on top-tier fighter recognition. As this system will balance the weight division and create a clear and respected hierarchy.
Conclusion
In summary, we can conclude that changing the weight division number from 17 to 8 is for the purpose of establishing more streamline processes and reducing ambiguity. It also promotes a single champion from each division.
Reddaveni Saisneha 
Aditya Khare