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Report: Maximo Blanco Drops To 145, Signs With UFC

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Rising Venezuelan prospect Maximo Blanco has reportedly signed with the UFC and intends to drop to featherweight for his promotional debut.

By Shaun Al-Shatti
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Maximo Blanco vs. Kiuma Kunioku at Sengoku 15. (Photo by Esther Lin)
Maximo Blanco vs. Kiuma Kunioku at Sengoku 15. (Photo by Esther Lin)

If you blinked, you just might have missed Maximo Blanco's run in Strikeforce. Following a loss to Pat Healy in his promotional debut, the vaunted Venezuelan lightweight prospect announced his intention to drop down 145 pounds and join the UFC. The fighter's management at Sucker Punch Entertainment tweeted the news late Tuesday night.

SP fighter will be back strong, very soon, this time, at 145 lbs in the UFC! http://t.co/S3c8oaCless than a minute ago via Facebook Favorite Retweet ReplySuckerPunch
SuckerPunchEnt

UFC officials have yet to comment on the announcement. No timetable has been released for a planned debut.

Blanco (8-3-1) is a former lightweight King of Pancrase who has developed a notorious reputation for his ferocious stand-up ability. The addition of the heralded 27-year-old was initially seen as a coup for Strikeforce's roster, but "Maxi" ultimately fell to Healy in the second round of his promotional debut at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov. The loss snapped a six-fight win streak stretching back to early 2009, five of which came via brutal knockout.

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