Ohio Athletic Commision to Institute Cruiserweight Division

Ohio has long been on the cutting edge of mixed martial arts and one of the largest supporters of the sport. The Buckeye state has taken yet another step to improve amateur MMA.

Executive Director of the Ohio Athletic Commission, Bernie Profato told MMA Weekly that starting May 1 they will start a cruiserweight class which will run from 206 to 225 pounds. The heavyweight class will be from 226 to 265. This currently only applies to the amateur ranks but could have possible ramifications for professional MMA in the future.

Mr. Profato said “For fighters just starting out, we saw them in some difficult bouts, especially with a fighter that was 210 fighting someone 250 or more.”

This will be on a trial basis with no plans as of yet to institute this in to the pros.

“Let’s see how it catches on with the amateurs before we suggest anything to the pros,” said Profato. “I feel the pros are established and this weight may not make any difference.”

I do not agree with this statement and feel like many, that a cruiserweight class in the pros could help to even the playing field as we see fighters get bigger and bigger. Fighters such as Fighters.com second-ranked and UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (4-1) as well as mixed martial arts’ newest monster and former World’s Strongest Man, Mariusz Pudzianowski (1-0) are pushing the upper limits of the division. Brock and Pudz both work around 275 pounds and make the cut to 265 and rumors actually have some guys around 300. If they were to bring in a cruiserweight division this would give the smaller guys a better shot at becoming a champion.

According to Profato the biggest factor was to help make things more fair for fighters just getting involved in the sport and to discourage huge weight cuts that could harm less experienced fighters who are working to get the size advantage.

I commend Ohio for being proactive in working to protect fighters and taking the first step in what could create huge waves throughout the MMA community.