John Howard Praises Eagle FC’s Unique Approach to Weight Classes

If it were up to Ultimate Fighting Championship alum John Howard, mixed martial arts weight classes would have a different shape. According to Howard (29-17-1, 0-0 Eagle FC), promotions should reduce the current gap in the heavier classes. “Doomsday” advocates for a more uniform distribution by separating each weight category 10 pounds from another. Howard will soon debut in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC, where he is facing Ramazan Kuramagomedov in a welterweight clash on the upcoming Eagle FC 44 card. The particularity of Eagle FC’s welterweights is that the division's limit is set at 175 pounds instead of the traditional 170. The reason behind this is that Eagle has introduced the 165-pound division in between the conventional lightweights and welterweight, and moved up five pounds the limit of the latter.

“I kind of like it as an opportunity. I believe each weight class should be 10 pounds apart, which is perfect,” he said. “I say that because the sport is growing tremendously. It’s a whole new level. When I started this sport, it wasn’t as big. Now, because it becomes bigger, I think it should implement new weight classes even at heavyweights. I think that big giant gap in heavyweight should be closer. It should be, if not 10 pounds, maybe 15 or 20 pounds apart. I like to see that this new league is having a situation where you don’t have to go to 170 to 155, you can go to 175 to go at 165, and honestly, 165 for some people is easier to make than versus 155.”

While talking with Sherdog, Howard also discussed coping with autism as a professional fighter, challenged Professional Fighters League two-time champion Ray Cooper III for a rematch, and more.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro
(00:55) Competing at 175 pounds
(02:05) Advocating to add more weight classes in MMA
(02:51) Preparing for Kuramagomedov
(03:55) His opinion on his next opponent’s fighting style
(05:46) Fighting for Khabib Nurmagomedov
(07:16) Commenting on extreme weight cutting
(08:40) His contract with Eagle FC
(09:08) Being diagnosed with autism
(11:20) Being a trailblazer for other fighters with autism
(13:10) Calling out Ray Cooper III
(14:53) His plans for 2022
(15:45) Aiming for a title shot in case of victory
(16:19) His pick for the Tyrone Spong and Sergei Kharitonov clash
(16:41) Outro

Tudor Leonte started writing about mixed martial arts in 2013 for Italian media outlets. His journey with Sherdog began in 2018 and now he covers One Championship and countless European shows. You can follow him on Twitter @MrTudorLeonte.