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UFC's shopping spree continues, looking good for MMA fans

by LR 1/25/2008 4:24:00 AM

The UFC seems to have read the handbook on bolstering weaker divisions with new talent. Many fans consider the Middleweight division to be the weakest, but some remedies are on their way to the division. Dan Henderson is dropping down to the weight class, Michael Bisping is also moving to Middleweight, and the UFC recently signed Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares as well. Now comes the Welterweights.

On the assumption that Georges St. Pierre will defeat Matt Serra at their matchup in April, the division seems to have the makings of the weak Middleweight division. Specifically, Georges St. Pierre would sit atop the division unchallenged while fighters like Fitch try to work their way up. There is a small talent gap there, but it looks like the UFC is going to answer the call.

Mfight reported on Friday that Dong Hyun Kim will make his UFC debut in March or April at 170 pounds. A Spirit MC and DEEP veteran, Kim has been impressive in his two most recent battles with DEEP Champion Hidehiko Hasegawa. He defeated him in a non-title battle in their first matchup and went the distance in the second matchup for the title. Many consider the second matchup to be a definitive Hyun Kim win, but the judges scored it a draw.

His southpaw stance in the striking game could prove to cause problems for divisional opponents in the UFC, but Kim also has some solid wrestling. He also trains with none other than Yushin Okami, a successful UFC fighter who definitely knows how to utilize the cage.

All of these recent acquisitions are definitely beginning to bolster these divisions. We are beginning to see great up-and-coming talent that SHOULD be in the UFC actually make it to the promotion. It'll also help them gain some ground with fans internationally as they are signing many Asian and Brazilian market fighters who can bring more fans to the UFC's fanbase. There is still the problem of solidifying any type of TV deal in Asia, and the UFC is nearly non-existent in Brazil as far as air time.

Even with promoting problems in those countries, fans in the U.S. should be excited for the prospect of some great talent moving into the ranks. The UFC is impressively gaining a significant amount of the talent throughout the world.

Image is courtesy of Sherdog.com

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Dong Hyun Kim | UFC

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Comments

January 26. 2008 17:54

Am i going to have to go against the opinion of someone I respect? Leland, I guess you leave me no choice. All kidding aside, I have to disagree with your opinion that the UFC welterweight division is shallow Leland. To me it is stacked. As of right now, you have GSP, Fitch, Alves, Sanchez, Hughes (for now), Serra (although I am not sold on him), Koschek, Parisyan (I don't see him beating GSP though), Lytle (a hell of a test for anyone) and a bunch of other fighters. Unlike the middleweight division that has had very little top tier talent, the welterweight division has a plethora of athletes. If GSP beats Serra, he is going to have quite a few tests for awhile in Fitch, Alves/Parisyan, probably Koscheck, and BJ (he will move up, imo, now just watch him stay at 155 forever). I don't know how looking at those names you can say this division is thin.

Matthew Watt

January 29. 2008 05:26

Yeah, I can see your argument. Many people don't agree with me on my stance, but the WW got a lot of help now.

I don't see Fitch beating GSP, and that's where I see the big talent gap. Parisyan won't finish GSP either, and I think he'll get mauled to be honest. For me, the gap between GSP and the rest of the pack is synonymous with Silva's gap in the Middleweight division.