Originally Posted by FightTicker

Paulo Filho to Move Up to Light Heavyweight


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After the elimination of the heavier weight classes from the WEC, Paulo Filho found himself looking for a new home. Filho had been WEC middleweight champion for a little over a year before losing to Chael Sonnen at WEC 36 last November. Filho has now found himself a new promotion, a new camp, and even a new weight class!

From Tatame.com:

Will you fight at Dream?

It’s signed, but I don’t know if it’ll be at Dream 9 or the June event, because it’s hard to find opponents. But, if it’s not for now, it’ll be at June, for sure. Until June I’ll be there fighting at 205lbs, something better for me.

How are you preparing yourself to fight at 205lbs division?

My physical characteristic is the force, so, at 185, besides the difficulty to lose weight, I lose one of my qualities. It’s like a car, I need fuel, and I felt that, at 185, I was like a car running out of gas (laughs). It was good to move up, people look at me and think I’m a 185 guy, because I’m shorter, but I have 205.

Do you think the high difference can be a problem in the new category?

That’s bullshit. Mike Tyson was the best and was a short guy. At soccer, Maradona, Romário and many other were short... The thing is that you have to be competent and know how to handle it. I hate to fight guys with my size, I prefer a bigger guy, who has holes in his game and it’s easier to put on my game.

Paulo Filho (16-1) has trained a great deal with Anderson Silva as well as Team Link (which includes Gabriel Gonzaga and Marco Alvan) in Massachusetts. It will be interesting to see what kind of influence Wanderlei will have on his game. The world of MMA will be looking on as Filho adjusts to Dream and the reality of fighting at 205.