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After losing to Dan Hooker at UFC San Antonio, “The Texecutioner” is headed to 170 pounds.
After his latest loss, James Vick is changing weight classes.
Vick, who lost to Dan Hooker by first-round knockout last weekend at UFC San Antonio, announced Wednesday he is moving up to the welterweight division.
Vick said cutting down to 155 pounds “has really sucked these past few years,” but was adamant his recent losses were not a result of it.
“I will not do what so many others have done and blame my loses on weight cuts or use it as a crutch,” Vick wrote in a Facebook post. “I have worked with George Lockhart, the best nutritionist in all of MMA, and know he has always given me the best advice and knowledge possible. I, myself, have not followed the program at times and it has made some cuts tougher than others, but either way I have never missed weight and [have done] what I signed the contract to do.”
As of last year, Vick was a promising lightweight prospect. The 32-year-old started his UFC career with a 9-1 record and was riding a four-fight winning streak when he ran into Justin Gaethje last August, losing by first-round knockout.
Now, Vick, on a three-fight skid, finds himself at a career crossroads.
Vick said realizing fighting is not the most important thing in his life — Vick is a father — will be good long term, but right now, it has taken his focus off his career.
“Things aren’t ideal right now,” Vick wrote. “But then again they never are in this game of life.
“Realizing fighting is not the most important thing in life has been the best but worst thing to ever happen to me. Definitely long term (it) will be the best thing for me, but right now short term has been the worst thing ever in my career and has [done] nothing but take my mind and focus off of fighting.”
Vick said being “physically present, but not mentally” has taken a toll on his career. He said it has caused the recent setbacks.
“I don’t feel this way because of losing, but in my opinion, it’s the opposite,” Vick wrote. “I’ve been losing because I feel like this.”