“I just turned 31 and I have 31 fights as well. And I have plans to fight until maybe 37, 38, and I think what is really hard on the body is the weight cutting. And maybe like some years from now, maybe in a couple of years I want to do some fights at welterweight, just to have the extra 15 pounds. But that’s my plans. I still got a lot of things to do in this division, but I have plans in the future to do some fights at welterweight… No [the IV ban won’t make the weight cut more difficult]. I think like, not for the weight cut, but it’s gonna effect the recovery. I have a guy who is gonna – he was with me last time, and he always goes with me for my fights. And he said he has a perfect recipe to do the hydration back after weigh-in without the IV. So it’s a new thing to try. And he said he has everything on point and that it’s not gonna be a problem for us.”
-UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos talks to Submission Radio about why a welterweight move is in his future.
Penick’s Analysis: There are a probably a lot of fighters who will be making shifts up rather than down in the future, as there had been a seeming over-reliance on IV rehydration after weight cuts for the sport. For some of the younger guys who might be putting on size during their careers, shifting up may seem reasonable. Now, I don’t know how advisable it is for guys who aren’t at the top end size-wise in their own divisions, and though dos Anjos has some bulk to him he’s not necessarily one of the biggest lightweights on the roster. Him at welterweight might take away some of the advantages he has over guys at lightweight, as there are a lot of very strong and talented competitors in the 170 lb. field. It’s well in the future as it is, and doesn’t necessarily seem like a move that will wind up happening.
[Photo (c) Joe Camporeale via USA Today Sports]
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