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Pablo Garza to try and drop to 135

Quote:

UFC Featherweight Pablo Garza Wants to Be the Bantamweight 'Jon Jones'
By
McKinley Noble
(Featured Columnist) on November 21, 2012

Pablo Garza is already one of the tallest and rangiest fighters in the 145-pound division, but the standout featherweight is looking to further increase his advantage.

Coming off a dominant upset victory over former title contender Mark Hominick at UFC 154, Garza is now looking to test the waters at bantamweight. However, at 6'1", that all depends on whether "The Scarecrow" can make the weight cut with his health intact.

Garza spoke with MMA Mania shortly after his win in Montreal, Canada, stating that his natural attributes could make him the "Jon Jones" of the 135-pound division:

I'm going to think about it. It's probably going to be a couple of trial runs first, you know, see how I feel working with the diet, getting a good dietitian and stuff like that and if I can make '35 and dominate, I'm going to do it.

If I make 135, I know I'll win the title. I think I will be like the Jon Jones of 135.

Garza did show a knack for using his reach in the fight with Hominick. Over three rounds, he punished his Canadian foe from top position with hard elbows, forearms pressed to the throat, long punches while sitting in guard and the slightly unsportsmanlike "hands over the mouth" tactic—all techniques commonly associated with Jones.

Garza is currently 3-2 in the UFC since the merger with the WEC, with two losses in his last three fights and a 12-3 career MMA record. After two wins that netted "Knockout of the Night" and "Submission of the Night" awards, Garza hit a two-fight skid against Dustin Poirier and Dennis Bermudez.

Dumb move on Garza's part droping down doesn't equal success Walel Watson (5-11) 1-3 in BW division and Cole Miller (6'1) 0-2 in the FW division should tell you height and reach really doesn't play that big of a part in the smaller classes.

But anyways it'll be fun to see how badly this turns out for him.

"height and reach really doesn't play that big of a part in the smaller classes"

It play just as big of a part, as does being weight drained.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joabbuac (Post 1650724)

"height and reach really doesn't play that big of a part in the smaller classes"

It play just as big of a part, as does being weight drained.

Well if you look at the 10 biggest Featherweights guys that are 5'11-6'1 and you look at their records it's pretty clear reach isn't working for them.

FW

Cole Miller 0-2
Pablo Garza 2-2
Jonathan Brookins 1-2
Josh Grispi 0-3
Hatsu Hioki 2-1
Max Holloway 2-1
Cody McKenzie 0-1
George Roop 1-3
Steven Siler 3-1
Milton Vieira 0-0-1

Then looking at BW the guys over 5'8, it's not as horrible as FW's but still only McDonald is a top ten ranked guy.

BW
Johnny Bedford 1-0
Alex Caceres 3-1
Roland Delorme 2-1
Michael McDonald 4-0
Dustin Pague 1-3
Francisco Rivera 1-1-1
Walal Watson 1-3

Wonder how much weight he'd drop shaving his head bald.

Garza is a good prospect and needs to realise that he is still developing and shouldnt take his 145 losses to heart. The guy has shown amazing skills and holes in his game which he can work on.

Him dropping to 135 is a mistake for me. He will lose his speed advantage and tax his body physically.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John8204 (Post 1650728)

There just average fighters, thing about guys like Jon Jones is he is extremely good (especially at wrestling) and can use his height effectively - can you say that about any of these guys?

You cant just be tall...

Why doesn't her understand that Bones has freakishly long arms for his height? He isn't 6'11" and cutting to LHW.

The difference between having a 10 inch reach advantage at HW and a 10 in reach advantage at BW is that BWs can cover 10 inches a lot faster than HWs. I like Garza as a fighter so I hope it works out for him... still I don't think it's a good idea.

Someone might wanna tell him 135 is currently being dominated by the Dominator.

If Garza thinks he needs an ass whippin' though come on, styling on Faber will get old after a while.