Chris Weidman (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

After dropping four of his last five fights, Chris Weidman has confirmed he’s moving up to 205, and recently the former UFC middleweight champ explained why.

The 34-year-old Weidman, who is coming off a knockout loss to “Jacare” Souza in November, was on hand at UFC 238 this weekend in Chicago. While discussing his decision to change weight classes, the New York fighter said this (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“I’ve had two back-to-back surgeries, I’m coming off a loss, and I’m just like, my weight’s going kind of high,” Weidman said. “I’ve accomplished my goals at (185 pounds). I’ve had that belt wrapped around me four different times. I really wanted to get it back, and I’m not saying the door is totally shut on that idea. I’m not saying the door is totally shut on ’85, but the weight cuts are tough, and I kind of want to see what my body is like without depleting itself.

“I won’t be the biggest 205er, that’s definitely for sure. But I don’t think I’ll be the smallest. I think I bring things to the table that could be an issue for a lot of those guys.”

“…“I always wanted to go up to 205,” Weidman said. “The goal, when everything was good when I was undefeated and champion of the world, the goal was to defend my belt a few times at ’85, move up to 205 and beat Jon Jones…”

Weidman ended the lengthy reign of Anderson Silva back in 2013, and proceeded to defend the 185 crown three times, before being stopped by Luke Rockhold in 2015. Weidman currently carries a record of 14-4.