Two UFC middleweight fighters have set in motion plans to move down to the UFC’s welterweight division in 2013.
Patrick Cote has announced his plans to do so after a somewhat shaky return to the UFC’s 185lb division in 2012 after a couple of years fighting for other promotions.
He lost to Cung Le by decision back in July and then appeared to have suffered a first round TKO loss to Alessio Sakara last month, though his opponent had illegally struck him several times in the back of the head and so was disqualified.
A rematch with Sakara had been planned for UFC 158, but the Italian has since pulled out with kidney problems and so Cote has made the decision that now is the time to make the switch and start afresh.
Meanwhile, TUF Season 11 winner Court McGee is also now set to drop down to the welterweight ranks.
After a solid 3-0 start to his UFC career, McGee faced a step up in competition this year and found the going tougher, dropping decisions to both Costa Philipou and Nick Ring.
He’ll now hope to reverse his fortunes next year with his first opponent at 170lbs set to be Josh Neer at February’s UFC 157 event.
