MMA's Assuncao brothers planning drop to lighter weight classes

The Assuncao brothers are getting lighter.

Junior Assuncao (11-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) enjoys a six-fight win streak since a disappointing run in the UFC. But he's a lightweight, and real estate in that division is limited. So he plans to drop to the featherweight class, manager Brian Butler told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The 145-pound division is where his younger brother, UFC and WEC vet Rafael Assuncao (16-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC), resides. But after a disappointing 1-3 run at that weight, Rafael could be dropping to bantamweight following a knockout loss to Erik Koch at UFC 128.

Junior Assuncao obviously would like to avenge that loss, whether now or down the road. He's already done a test cut to see if the featherweight class suits him, and it does.

"As the sport develops, the lightweight seem to be getting bigger, and Junior is a decent-sized lightweight, but he's not a huge lightweight," Butler said. "So I think the opportunities for him to reinvent himself and potentially get back to Zuffa are greater if he comes down to 145.

"With the rumors that his brother Rafael is going to be going to 135, it makes for an interesting storyline."

These days, just about every fighter who's hit a block is cutting weight. There are no bigger examples than a trio of high-profile lightweights – Kenny Florian, Joe Stevenson, and Tyson Griffin – who have hit hard times in their division and are moving down.

For fighters used to walking around in the 180s, it's a life of deprivation. But it's being done.

Junior has stopped his three most recent opponents in the first round, so Butler said there might be room available in the featherweight division.

"I've been talking with (UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby already," he said. "They're definitely interested in him. He hasn't lost in two years, and he's finished his last couple of fights in good fashion with a KO over Mark Miller. He's on the radar, for sure."

Now, it's just a matter of deciding whether to take fights at featherweight on the regional circuit or jump right into the big show. Butler has to wait on that one. Junior is on his honeymoon in Brazil and won't be back until later this week.

And just emerging from a honeymoon diet, the fighter might need some extra time to get back to 145.