• UFC 136

Weight-cutting Pearson on course to hunt down Aldo

ESPN staff
October 7, 2011
Ross Pearson lost a tight decision to Edson Barboza in his last UFC outing © Getty Images
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Ross Pearson is ready to come gunning for the winner of Jose Aldo and Kenny Florian after revealing his attempts to drop to featherweight are going successfully.

Pearson has established himself as a tough lightweight since winning series nine of The Ultimate Fighter, going 3-2 since beating Andre Winner in the Finale. However, his recent decision loss to Edson Barboza has prompted a career rethink.

The lightweight division is currently bottlenecked towards the top of the ladder, with the likes of Melvin Guillard, Ben Henderson, Clay Guida and Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez all targeting the winner of Frankie Edgar v Gray Maynard.

Pearson is currently experimenting with a drop to 145lbs, where he would instantly become a contender for the featherweight title owned by Aldo. And the well-rounded Brit revealed that the initial weight drop is going well.

Asked why he is dropping down a division, Pearson replied on his personal Twitter account: "Small window of opportunity... want big fights.

"The attempt at 145lbs is going good, started at 176lbs (80kg) and now I'm standing at 169lbs (76kg). Want to be at 164lbs (74kg) next week."

Quizzed as to whether the weight cut has affected his strength, Pearson replied: "Not at all, still feel strong."

Pearson is yet to officially confirm his drop to featherweight, with no next opponent named, but should the experimental weight cut continue to be a success, it is likely he will begin 2012 in pursuit of Aldo's championship belt.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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