4 Champions We'd Love to See Switch Weight Classes
In the world of mixed martial arts, it is not often that superfights are brought to fruition. Champions who reign over their division often relish their superiority and find comfort and stability by remaining in their own weight class.
However, by switching divisions, current UFC champions Jon Jones, Chris Weidman, Anthony Pettis and Jose Aldo would more than likely receive an immediate title shot.
Venturing into another weight class would not only allow any of the above fighters to make history by becoming champion of two divisions, it would also give way to superfights that MMA fans have long awaited.
Jon Jones to Heavyweight
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Jones is arguably the greatest light heavyweight champion of all time.
He is virtually undefeated (one loss via disqualification in a fight he dominated) and has manhandled almost every one of his opponents. At UFC 128 in 2011, he became the youngest champion in UFC history at 23 years old.
Jones has spoken of moving to the heavyweight division on a permanent basis in the past.
Speaking on AXS TV's Inside MMA (h/t MMAFighting.com) earlier this year, he said: "I think Cain Velasquez is the only guy that would actually be considered a superfight."
Jones also expressed his dream of fighting in the famed Madison Square Garden.
In an interview with Sherdog in August, he said:
"My dream is to fight at Madison Square Garden, and I think that, as a fighter, fighting at the Garden is [the] pinnacle. Muhammad Ali fought there, and Mike Tyson fought there. The greatest fighters of all-time have all gotten to compete at the Garden, so I think that our time will come.
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Irrespective of the location, a superfight between Jones and Velasquez would more than likely break records and serve as one of epic proportions.
Chris Weidman to Light Heavyweight
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Weidman made a name for himself by earning a devastating knockout over then middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 162.
The undefeated fighter went on to defeat Silva again at UFC 168, breaking the challenger’s leg in the process.
Since then, talk among the MMA world has circled around a potential superfight between the New York native and reigning light heavyweight champion Jones.
Earlier this year, speaking with AXS TV's Inside MMA (h/t MMAFighting.com), Jones dismissed any notion of a superfight between him and the middleweight champion:
"A lot of people are starting to mention Chris Weidman's name and I think in order for it to be a superfight Chris Weidman needs to get his name a little bit bigger and prove himself against some other world champions.
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Following Weidman’s dominant performance over another former world champion in Lyoto Machida at UFC 175, Jones’ opinion of the middleweight champion changed.
According to Lem Satterfield of Sherdog, the 205-pound champion stated:
"I think that would be awesome. I would absolutely jump at the opportunity to have a superfight with Chris Weidman. I respect him a lot as a person and as a champion, and I think that that fight would make great sales -- absolutely.
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In February 2015, Weidman is scheduled to face his third former world champion in Vitor Belfort. If he handles his opponent in impressive fashion, a superfight between Weidman and Jones may be on the horizon sooner rather than later.
Anthony Pettis to Featherweight
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Following his last championship matchup against Benson Henderson at UFC 164, Pettis called out reigning featherweight champion Aldo.
"Jose Aldo we've got some unfinished business," he said, per Damon Martin of Fox Sports. "Your belt or my belt."
Pettis has been plagued with injuries and hasn't fought since. Nonetheless, having beaten two-time world champion Henderson on two separate occasions—acquiring his belt in both instances—Pettis has become a force to be reckoned with.
If he is able to remain free of injury, a superfight between him and Aldo would serve as a potential blockbuster of a main event.
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Jose Aldo to Lightweight
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Aldo has reigned atop the featherweight division since 2011. In fact, he hasn't lost a fight in the last nine years.
In his most recent matchup, he dismantled Chad Mendes for a second time and won a unanimous decision on all scorecards.
Needless to say, Aldo's dominance over his opponents is almost unparalleled. Many would like to see the Brazilian champion face brash Irishman Conor McGregor. However, McGregor has yet to fight a top-five opponent, despite being listed as the UFC's No. 5 contender.
Even his next opponent, Dennis Siver, is ranked No. 8 by the UFC. Therefore, a fight between McGregor and Aldo does not appear to be logically sound at this point.
If Aldo immediately jumped to the lightweight division, this would send waves throughout the MMA world, setting up a superfight between the Brazilian champion and one of the most prolific fighters in the 155-pound division in two-time world champion Anthony Pettis.
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