Months of speculation ended on Thursday as Zuffa’s World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) announced that they will no longer be promoting fights at the 185lbs. or 205lbs. weight limits.
It’s become clear that the WEC is very much focused on becoming the home for the best lighter weight fighters in the world. Dropping the heavier weights will help to solidfy their niche place in the market, while also giving greater opportunities to lighter fighters.
In recent months and years the WEC have largely ridden the coat tails of their champions like Urijah Faber and Carlos Condit. Now, with extra room on their cards, they’ll be able to grow the names of some of the other truly talented fighters they have on the roster – uber-talents like Miguel Torres, for example.
And although, the announcement stopped short of talking about the future of current WEC-contracted fighters at the middleweight and light heavyweight limits, it’s safe to assume that some of them will find a home in Zuffa’s other holding, the UFC.