Full Contact Fighter Database

Home

>

News

>

Article

Media

Friday, Jan 15, 2016

UFC FN 82: Bryan Barberena Outlines Decision to Move to 170, Put Large Weight Cuts Behind Him

Bryan Barberena (photo via UFC / ZUFFA)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Bryan Barberena is one of the latest UFC fighters who has decided to put large weight cuts behind him, and the MMA Lab member believes he won’t be the last.

After going 1-1 in the UFC’s lightweight division, Barberena has elected to move up to welterweight, and will face Jonavin Webb on February 21st. The bout will be part of UFC Fight Night 82, which will take place at Pittsburgh’s Consol Energy Center.

Recently Barberena appeared on Full Contact Fighter Radio, and while discussing his decision to leave 155, he stated:

“Going to 55 I cut a lot of weight and it’s a long process for me, as far as camp, and even before camp starts, I’m dieting months out, really trying to get my weight down,” the 26 year-old Barberena reported. “I feel like I’m a bigger lightweight and I fought most of my past fights at 185, I started at 205, so I feel like it’s not going to be a real issue as far as size and everything and strength…”

“I sat down with my coaches and we decided that the move up to 170 would be good, especially without being able to rehydrate with IVs and everything,” added Barberena, while referring to USADA’s recent ban on IVs. “So I didn’t want to risk not feeling good come fight night, and risk trying it out at 155 and then not rehydrating how I’ve been, and not feeling good. We sat down and made the decision at 70 and we feel like I can compete at 70, if not better than at 55.”

As noted earlier, Barberena isn’t the only fighter in recent months who has decided to move up a weight class, rather than endure the rigours of a large weight cut. Tim Means decided to end his days fighting at 155 and has had tremendous success at welterweight. Dustin Poirier has gone undefeated since he decided to move up from 145 to lightweight. Barberena’s teammate and the former lightweight champ, Benson Henderson, is coming off consecutive wins at 170.

“I think so,” said Barberena, when asked if he believes this trend could continue moving forward. “I think with the no IV, and just the healthier feeling when you’re a little bit heavier, at a weight class up, I think guys are going to realize they’re feeling a lot better and they will perform a lot better.”

Barberena is coming off a decision loss to Chad Laprise in April, 2015, after taking out Joe Ellenbger in his UFC debut, back in December, 2014. “Bam Bam” currently carries a record of 10-3.

posted by FCF Staff @ 8:00 am
Have a comment about this story? Please share with us by filling out the fields below.

Comments are closed.