Is 205 still the best weight class...

I think it has fallen mightily from it's hey day a couple years back when it was clearly the best division in the sport. The Page thing is yet another hit to the class.

I'm assuming Machida beats on Rua, and then 205 will look alot like 185, 170 and 155, where the champ is head and shoulders above a decent field of fighters well below.

I still think BJ & Machida have something to prove at 155. Only Sherk, Florian, and Stevenson have had title shots at 155 and Machida has gone through Tito, Soko, and Rashad, but guys like Rampage (maybe?), Shogun, Lil Nog, Forrest, Cane (maybe one day), and Mousasi (if he ever joins the UFC) could be worthy challengers.

Farmer1906 wrote:

I still think BJ & Machida have something to prove at 155. Only Sherk, Florian, and Stevenson have had title shots at 155 and Machida has gone through Tito, Soko, and Rashad, but guys like Rampage (maybe?), Shogun, Lil Nog, Forrest, Cane (maybe one day), and Mousasi (if he ever joins the UFC) could be worthy challengers.

True, Machida has not earned the spot Spider or GSP has, Im assuming, based on his skills that he goes on a run. And yes their are some worthy challengers, but it still feels like 205 is not the division it once was. And Page, who is the #2 contendor(and many feel he doesn't stand much of a chance against lyoto) leaving creats a big gap in a division that was already descending from it's peak.

Yeah I do agree though 205 just isn't what it once was. A few years ago it was Liddell, Tito, Couture, Babalu in the UFC vs Shogun, Wand, Henderson, Arona, Rampage, & Soko in Pride then you have TUF guys representing the future in Forrest, Rashad, Bisping, Hamill, and Jardine. Tons of match ups and tons of debate about who's best and who would beat now.

Now half those guys aren't even around or are no longer contenders. Liddell and Wand have lost their luster. The 2 best 205ers of all time are no more. Tito was out for about 2 years and go run over by Machida on his way out. Couture ran to HW. Babalu got himself kicked out of the UFC. Arona disappeared from the face of the earth. Soko has been shown for what he really is. Rampage is now an actor. And it looks like the TUF guys may have peaked already.

So now the only thing IMO that can save the 205 weight class is Shogun somehow beating Machida or Anderson stepping up to the plate and fighting his teammate.

205 is still the best

Dosn't matter how good Machida is, the talent pool at LHW is a lot deeper than other divisions.

ohiovol62 wrote:

Dosn't matter how good Machida is, the talent pool at LHW is a lot deeper than other divisions.

I think 155 & 170 are just as deep.

155 is the deepest by far. There is no real talent difference between the top five past BJ and the rest of the top 10 and even top 15.

LHW has faded significantly with the recent losses by Forrest, Jardine and Rashad. Rampage's run appears over, his heart and mind isn't focused(and a lot of people doubted his ability to win against top fighters from here on out), Dan Henderson has left the division, Wanderlei Silva was knocked out of the division, Liddell has been KO'd into retirement, Arona went on sabbatical.

I can see why they brought in Little Nog and the Janitor.

I think with the exception of Gegard, all the best 205 lb fighters are in the UFC, so yeah it is deep. But their are exceptions at every weight class, Jake shields (WW), Aoki (LW), Rogers (HW)...Just kidding Fedor (HW). The problem being is how would these fighters do in the UFC?I don't think any of them, with the exception of Mousasi could beat the current champ. Yes, that includes Fedor. There are some other good fighters out there but, the UFC spends quite a bit more time and money on scouting and signing up and comers, but they have the scratch and clout to do that.

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

I think with the exception of Gegard, all the best 205 lb fighters are in the UFC, so yeah it is deep. But their are exceptions at every weight class, Jake shields (WW), Aoki (LW), Rogers (HW)...Just kidding Fedor (HW). The problem being is how would these fighters do in the UFC?I don't think any of them, with the exception of Mousasi could beat the current champ. Yes, that includes Fedor. There are some other good fighters out there but, the UFC spends quite a bit more time and money on scouting and signing up and comers, but they have the scratch and clout to do that.

Just open the paragraph with that assbabble so we can see it's not an opinion worth reading. Big time saver.

It is an opinion, not fact. Much like most of the postings. Jesus, you are more intractable than Ayers Rock!

Not all opinions are created equal my simple friend.

Thanks Forrest, I will try to remember to place your thoughts into my equation next time. Would you like a box of chocolates now?

Someone seems a bit touchy on the subject of peoples opinions on a certain someone not being the end all be all of a certain division.

Correction - someone is a bit touchy on the subject of someone's opinion not being the best fighter of all time, regardless of division.

Fedor # 1 for life.