Is 5'7" too short for light heavyweight? - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

ryan_the_bruiser · 08-29-2006, 09:03 PM

Hey yall, I'm Ryan and this is my first post here. I'm getting ready to join American Shootfighting Academy in Springfield, MO for training in Brazilian Jui Jitsu, and Kickboxing. I want to be able to eventually compete in an actual league or organization, which we have one down here. I'm 5'7 and I weigh about 215 pounds. Now normally someone my size would be considered fat, yet for some reason I'm pretty slim. Maybe it's because I have a broad back and thick chest, I don't know. I do have a little extra baggage, but not that much. I even asked my doctor at my last checkup what my weight I should be at, and he said I should be around 200. Is there any chance that someone with my height could possibly compete in the light heavyweight division, or would it be better for me to drop a weight class?

angryjonny · 08-29-2006, 09:10 PM

If you have a wrestling background and can take a punch you should do alright. There really is nothing better for a short guy than wrestling. If you can drop to 185 you'd be a pretty solid MW but 5'7" is pretty short for 205 then again Monson is one of the, if not, the shortest HW out there.

Jras0001 · 08-30-2006, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angryjonny

If you have a wrestling background and can take a punch you should do alright. There really is nothing better for a short guy than wrestling. If you can drop to 185 you'd be a pretty solid MW but 5'7" is pretty short for 205 then again Monson is one of the, if not, the shortest HW out there.

Very true, and Monson's height from what Ive seen so far has been an advantage to him. Short, stocky, low center of gravity, shorter limbs that are harder to use to submit him....it all comes down to how you would want to fight as to wheather or not 5'7'' would work against you or not.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 08-30-2006, 07:53 AM

it depends on what your skills are.... how good is your background before going there?? dont let anyone compare you to jeff monson or guys like that, each person is different... if its strickly grapplingi you should be ok, however if u want to get into any striking you will have to learn certain strategies to get inside and youll be at a large disadvantage unless you have extremely long arms

Crashsti · 08-30-2006, 08:08 AM

at 5'7" you will be at a huge disadvantage in the LHW division, assuming you were fighting in the UFC. however since you will not be fighting in the UFC, at least not in the beginning you will find that there will be little disadvantage at your size. in smaller promotions there is a huge variety of shapes and sizes competing within the same class. the level of conditioning is usually lower and many people actaully compete at thier natural weight and don't cut down. i would spend absolutely no time worrying about your height and weight and instead focus on your grappling skills and conditioning.