(Editor’s note: This story first was published June 1, 2023. Some information may have been updated.)
Whether we’re talking about mainstream sports, combat sports or sports entertainment, the spectacle of large athletes long has been a promotional tool to help draw in casual crowds and create almost larger-than-life standards that helped set the bar to where it is today.
It’s why “the baddest man on the planet” is determined within the heavyweight division and why title fights on cards are typically prioritized from largest to smallest – unless there’s an outlier like Conor McGregor on the card, of course.
The unfortunate byproduct of this traditional format, however, is that lighter-weight fighters, who typically are more technical and arguably more entertaining, often get under-appreciated and sometimes lost in the shuffle.
In fact, the UFC historically has struggled with whichever division falls on the bottom of its proverbial totem pole. Whether we’re talking about the UFC’s three failed attempts to establish its lightweight division, which now is one of the deepest divisions going on two decades, or its self-induced flyweight purge that started around 2018, the organization has not exactly handled these divisions with care.
At UFC 310, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja takes on a brand new challenger in promotional newcomer and former Rizin champion Kai Asakura. Pantoja has two title defenses under his belt, and his next challenge will be a new face to the UFC audience, who has never made the flyweight limit before. Asakura has the chance to become an instant global star, but will he be able to handle the pressure?
Until we know, take a look back at this first decade of flyweight affairs under the UFC banner and my top five.
Without further ado …
