Dana White Has No Plans To Create Women’s 145-Pound Division
It wasn’t too long ago that UFC President Dana White said that women would never compete in the UFC. Obviously he eventually changed his tune, and female fighters have since had the opportunity to become stars in the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. In fact, UFC Fight Night 95, which takes place this Saturday (September 24, 2016), is set to be headlined by Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino, who will take on Lina Lansberg in a catchweight bout.
Justino has long been a pioneer of women’s MMA, and she finally made her UFC debut last May, although the promotion doesn’t currently have a female featherweight division, and UFC President Dana White doesn’t plan on creating one in the near future either:
“Obviously it’s been very popular and the women have done very well, but as far as the expansion I think it’s inevitable as the sport continues to grow,” White told Combate. “But no plans in the near future, no.”
“As far as a heavier division, no I don’t see that happening,” White said. “I don’t see that happening any time soon, but the 115-pound division continues to get bigger.”
White did add that if the bantamweight and strawweight divisions continue to grow then a 125-pound division could be a possibility:
“If 15 and 35 continue to grow, then yes,” White said. “We can do a 125.”
Unfortunately for “Cyborg”, however, a featherweight division won’t be made “unless there’s anything that just explodes in the next couple of years,” according to White.
