http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/UFC-104-post-fight-interview-with-Pat-Barry.html Barry made over $130,000 for his win over Hardonk which included two $60,000 bonuses for Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Night. At the very least this guy owes Anthony Johnson dinner.
That's not the biggest problem, the problem is if he fights anyone who isn't a kickboxer, he is in big trouble, because his wrestling skills and ground game are sub-par. Cain is 1 pound heavier than Barry, but he'd be a huge favourite.
Probably not easily. He'd probably have to get to 225 to be at a reasonable range. He would have to first decide to lose 12 pounds of muscle first, and still have to cut a lot of water weight (20 pounds). A guy like Rumble or Alves can cut 25 pounds, but that is upper end weight cutting.
Man, it's time for ufc to add a 220 division. The 206-265 range is way too big, now that there's actually a deep pool of guys that are more naturally around 265 its not a big problem for them to cut that weight range in half.
I dislike both of your ideas (225,235), and I think it is too soon. (The HW division is much better than 5 years ago, but it would lose too much depth if they did it right now) 3 years from now, I think it should be 205-230 Cruiserweight, 230-300 HW. Then the relatively useless SHW division can be 300+.
230 - 300 just sounds so damn crazy. That means there could be a 70 lb weight difference. Just absurd, IMO.
1. There already is a 60 pound weight difference. 2. Anyone who weighed around 250 could cut to 230. 3. So basically the real range would be 250+ to 330. The difference between a 250 pound guy and a 320 pound guy isn't as big a difference as potential matchups right now, ie. 220 pound guy vs a 285 pound guy. Especially considering 320 pound guys not on steroids, and in good shape are very rare anyway.
Pat Barry still with the biggest grin around, going to be smiling from the afterparty all the way to the bank.
I'd probably do something goofy like that if I just got a check for 120k, although I usually deposit my checks through the ATM so I dunno if they take checks that big.
