Photo by Esther Lin for MMAFighting.com
After making his North American debut as a lightweight last Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov event, Venezuelan born Maximo Blanco (8-3-1) has reportedly signed with the UFC and will drop down to 145 lbs for his first fight in the Octagon.
Blanco’s manager, Brian Butler-Au of SuckerPunch Entertainment, posted the news via Twitter on Tuesday and later confirmed his fighters move to the UFC with MMAFighting.com.
Blanco faced Pat Healy at the Strikeforce event, fighting on the opening Showtime telecast of the main card. Blanco would succumb to a rear-naked choke, ending his six fight win streak.
The Venezuela born, Japanese trained fighter now drops to featherweight for the first time in his career, and will face an unnamed opponent at an unknown date.