Sean Strickland struggles at his weigh-in, considers move to light heavyweight
The main event for the final UFC card of the year is all set as the two men made weight this evening. Despite coming in at 186lbs, Sean Strickland had a hard time shedding the weight and mentioned a potential move up to light heavyweight.
On December 17, Jared Cannonier is set to take on the controversial middleweight in a bout that could have title implications for the winner. With the recent crowning of a new champion, Israel Adesanya and top contender Robert Whittaker are likely ahead of the rest in the title picture, but not all such things are set in stone.
As Sean Strickland weighed in for his fight this Saturday, he didn't seem like his usual wild self and was clearly struggling to make the middleweight limit. This led to him openly stating his interest in a move up to light heavyweight.
Although he wouldn't be the tallest if he did decide to make the move up to 205, his 6'1" frame would not look out of touch with some of the other contenders in the division.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz is billed as just one inch taller than the brash middleweight, though he may have a hard time dealing with the physicality of the weight class.
Coincidentally, Strickland is set to step into the octagon for the 17th time this weekend, and the man he is scheduled to face, Jared Cannonier, has formerly competed at 205lbs.
Sean Strickland's history of competing in different weight classes
Similar to a number of fighters in the past, Sean Strickland could well join the list of athletes who have laced up their gloves to fight in three different divisions throughout their time in the UFC. The 31-year-old has fought at both welterweight and middleweight, and could possibly be a future 205er.
The California-born fighter stayed true to his middleweight roots all the way up until his 16th bout when he moved down to 170lbs, a fight in which he suffered his first-ever loss in the sport at the hands of Santiago Ponzinibbio.
Strickland attempted to find his feet in the division and seven fights later, he decided to return to 185lbs, a weight class he has been in ever since. During his time at welterweight, the controversial athlete fought some tough talent, but none more so than the former pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman.
So powerful! @USMAN84kg scores the knockdown at #UFC210! https://t.co/NW1EmjNZg1