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There is often a tendency in combat sports to romanticize the history of the heavyweight division. However, in mixed martial arts, more often than not the light heavyweight has been the sport’s marquee division. Heavyweight has had its moments and superstars have broken through in many other divisions, but light heavyweight has consistently been MMA’s centerpiece.
Just 10 years ago, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship was exploding and Pride Fighting Championships was still riding high, 205-pound fighters led the way.