Dana White Says UFC Doesn't Need More Weight Divisions - MMAUniverse.com | MMA Shorts | MMA Gloves | MMA Clothing

Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White disagrees with the idea of introducing more weight classes to Mixed Martial Arts.

At UFC: Ultimate Fight Night 11, White was asked what he thought of the idea of adding more weight classes to MMA, which was proposed by rival promoter Gary Shaw of EliteXC last weekend. Shaw says he wants to add weight classes in the interests of safety for the fighters. The UFC president disagrees and told reporters so in typical Dana White fashion.

“Gary Shaw is a f------ moron. One of the reasons the fans love UFC is because there’s only five weight classes and you know who is the real champion in each class. The stuff he wants to do in MMA are exactly the same thing they’ve done to ruin boxing. Five years ago he was laughing at MMA, and now he wants to get in on it. He lost every fighter he ever had in boxing and he’s not going anywhere in MMA, believe me.”

Many observers agree that the increased number of weight classes in boxing has been a real turn off for fans. The World Boxing Council sanction titles at seventeen different weights. These range from Minimumweight (below 105 pounds) to Heavyweight (over 200 pounds). The UFC has five weight divsions, ranging from Lightweight (145 to 155 pounds) to Heavyweight (205 to 265 pounds).

The early UFCs were open weight affairs and the promotion has shown little interest in introducing smaller weight classes. Boxing has eleven weight classes below 147 pounds. Although greed has undoubtedly played a part in the creation of additional weight classes in boxing, there is a genuine safety issue, particularly in a striking sport.

Dana White also took the opportunity to hype the new season of "The Ultimate Fighter". In his view, this is no ordinary reality show.

“To me, the only two reality shows that matter are "The Ultimate Fighter" and "American Idol". You know why? Because the other reality shows, these people get their time in the limelight and then you never hear from them again. But in "American Idol," you get to follow the careers of the winners afterwards. And in 'The Ultimate Fighter,' these guys go on to become legitimate mixed martial arts stars. They finish on the show and you see them back on Spike TV fighting and the best of them go to pay-per-view.”

The coaches on the new season are Welterweight champion Matt Serra and former champion Matt Hughes.

“I barely even have to hype this one. Hughes and Serra really don’t like each other. Throw them in the same house and you never know what’s going to happen.”

After winning TUF, Matt Serra was rewarded with a shot at the UFC Welterweight title. Hughes fought Georges St Pierre at UFC 69: Shootout and pulled off a massive upset by knocking him out in the first round. In terms of personality: Serra and Hughes are chalk and cheese. Matt Serra is a wise cracking New Yorker who won many fans during his time in the Ultimate Fighter house. Farm boy Hughes is a far less witty character. The two will fight for the title at the end of the TV series.