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UFC 99 “The Comeback”, scheduled for June 13 in Cologne, Germany, features a very intriguing match-up between former Pride 205-pound champion Wanderlei Silva and former UFC middleweight champion, Rich Franklin. The fight is interesting not only because both guys are in serious need of a win after recent losses but also because the bout is taking place at a unique catchweight of 195-pounds. Personally, I think a catchweight bout is a great idea for both fighters. Silva and Franklin are both legendary veterans who are popular enough to headline a pay-per-view, yet both are facing the problem that they are not in title contention in their particular weight divisions.

Franklin especially, but Silva as well, have been loyal, marketable stars for Zuffa and deserve a bit of a break from the UFC. In the past Franklin has been quite open about how miserable cutting weight makes him. In fact, when approached by UFC President Dana White about fighting at UFC 99, Franklin was adamant that he wanted to fight at 205 pounds and had no interest in dropping to 185. Instead of forcing Franklin’s hand, White came up with a compromise. After a devastating loss at 205 pounds to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Wanderlei Silva was being forced to consider a drop to 185 pounds in hopes of reinvigorating his recently slumping career. Dropping from 205 to 185 is a big drop for Wanderlei so White suggested that a fight at 195 was a good way for Franklin to save himself ten pounds of weight cutting, and for Wanderlei to incrementally adjust to dropping a significant amount of weight for the first time. A catchweight fight between the two may have no title implications but it makes sense for the UFC because it rewards two of their older and more loyal fighters with not having to drop as much weight, and yet it still offers the UFC an exciting and marketable main event featuring two proven pay-per-view stars.

With all the backlash the ABC received stemming from their conference in which amendments were made to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, namely the weight class modifications, it appears they are deciding to take a step back and revisit those rules changes. A seven member committee—including heavyweights Keith Kizer from the NSAC, Armando Garcia from the CSAC, and Nick Lembo from the NJACB—has been formed to review the recent revisions and determine if they should stand.

If you haven’t noticed, pretty much everyone in the MMA community is opposed to the new weight class changes, probably even you. Well, the people’s opinions who ultimately determine whether or not these new weight classes will be adopted or not are the state athletic commissions and the promoters. Dana White has already weighed in on the situation, and as expected, he’s completely against it.

In case you missed it, Dana White told Dave Meltzer this past weekend that not only will the UFC not follow the weight class changes outlined in the latest revision to the unified rules, but also that the man leading the charge, former UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy, is his new enemy. It didn’t take long for ‘Big’ John to catch wind of White’s comments and had a few of his own during today’s Fight Network Radio show. McCarthy also went on to explain the reasoning behind the decision to change the weight classes.

The most surprising modification to the unified rules of mixed martial arts that was made by the ABC this past week were the major changes to the weight classes. The change would undoubtedly have a huge impact on the UFC, which takes pride in following the unified rules. So how does Dana White and Co. feel about the ABC’s weight class revisions?