http://mmajunkie.com/news/31258/fabio-maldonado-camp-toughest-sob-on-ufc-roster-considering-drop-to-middleweight.mmaAfter enduring a brutal assault from top light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira, Fabio Maldonado (18-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC) is at least considering a drop to 185 pounds.
Maldonado's manager, Alex Davis, said that his client hasn't yet made a commitment to middleweight, but he's certainly considering the option.
"Maldonado has been relying on his capability to withstand punishment, and it caught up with him," Davis told MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com). "Now I'm hearing he wants to drop to 185 pounds. I think it could be a good move."
The 32-year-old Maldonado has competed as high as heavyweight in his career as a mixed martial artist and professional boxer. His four-fight UFC run has taken place all at 205 pounds, and Maldonado's hallmark has been his willingness to stand in the pocket and trade leather with powerful opponents like Teixeira, Igor Pokrajac, Kyle Kingsbury and James McSweeney.
As such, Maldonado has been a part of several memorable wars, but the UFC 153 fight with Teixeira was something different. The Chuck Liddell protege dominated the fight from the opening bell, and the assault was ultimately called off by the attending doctor at the end of the second round. Along the way, Maldonado had several chances to simply wilt and give up, but he continued to press forward with heart that led his opponent to call him "not human."
Davis said he was impressed by Teixeira's performance.
"I think that Glover lived up to the hype," Davis said. "He came in there against one of the toughest SOBs on the UFC roster and completely dominated. Until this fight, Glover had not really shined against top competition, but now he leaves no more doubt."
Indeed, Teixeira is now being considered among the 205-pound division's top contenders. But Maldonado is also a rarity. After three consecutive losses in the UFC, he's not being released from the promotion.
Davis said Maldonado may use his reprieve as an opportunity to move to 185 pounds. But he knows his client must also be willing to take a different approach to his time in the cage.
"We have been trying to get him to defend himself better, but the answer is always, 'I don't mind getting punched,'" Davis said. "Well, this time that attitude cost him.
"I have never seen Maldonado get rocked, but he is as human as the next man. A well-placed power punch rocks him just as any other human being."
Maldonado has made a career of being a showman, pointing to his chin and hanging his hands while inviting opponents to test his fortitude. While crowd-pleasing in many ways, the loss to Teixeira made it painfully clear he can't continue to operate in similar fashion.
While it might be a stretch to call such a brutal beatdown a blessing, Davis insists Maldonado is at least paying heed to the message.
"Losing is always a lesson, and this time – different then the other two fights when he should have been given the win – he really lost," Davis said. "Trust me, he learned from it. Look for a better Maldonado."
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