FanPost

THINGS I WANNA SEE: SPENCER FISHER AT 145 LBS. BEFORE ITS TOO LATE

Since the beginning of my courtship with the world of MMA I have been consistently impressed and entertained by many fighters, and near the top of this list one would find the rambunctious Muay Thai stylist, Spencer “The King” Fisher. Always producing an entertaining fight (and an equally entertaining victory celebration) Spencer Fisher has provided quite a few of the more memorable highlights from MMA's dramatic expansion over the past 5 years. Fisher’s finest moment was likely his rematch with Sam Stout, one of the most entertaining and technically impressive stand-up battles to ever grace the octagon. In addition, this is a man who, out of 11 appearances in the octagon, has found victory via a flying knee KO twice. That’s nearly a 20% success rate at ending fights with what is arguably the most dazzling and exciting maneuver in the sport.

All this, plus a number of other battles worth gluing one’s eyeballs to the screen for, have made Fisher’s legacy in the heart’s of MMA fans more than safe, however, I can’t help but feel that there remains an unexplored opportunity for “The King”.

Fisher entered the UFC before the Lightweight division (where he has spent most of his career) had been established, taking his first fight and first victory at 170 lbs. by submitting a then young and now juggernaut-like Thiago Alves. At the time this was the lightest weight class available to Fisher, a man who would be dwarfed by the modern UFC Welterweight. When Lightweight came along Fisher moved down and found himself competing at a weight more in keeping with his 5’ 7” frame. Fisher’s mostly successful exploits at 155 lbs. could sum up a very respectable career, however, with the WEC’s introduction and promotion of the 145lbs. weight class, I feel that a new career opportunity has arisen for the relatively undersized Lightweight.

As the sport has developed and the talent pool grown, the Lightweight division has become filled out with a number of competitors who, by employing the science of weight cutting, regularly step into the octagon at 170 lbs. or more. Though I have never had the opportunity to weigh the man in person or even stand next to him for long enough to properly estimate his mass, Fisher has always seemed to me like he could make 145 lbs. His greatest difficulties inside the octagon have always seemed to be the result of being overpowered by larger men with good wrestling who have the ability to somewhat neutralize his dangerous stand-up by taking him to the mat. A move to 145 lbs. could allow Fisher to utilize his awesome stand-up with less threat of spending time pinned to the ground.

A move to Featherweight (and out the UFC) would initially mean less money and less exposure. However, Fisher’s ability to be relevant as a top contender in the 145 lbs. weight class and possibly even get his hands on the belt (though I don’t think he would get past Jose Aldo) could prove to be his best career opportunity yet. It would allow him to compete at the weight that I believe best suits his body and, if successful, would lead to a greater level of recognition than Fisher has ever tasted in the UFC. It would also provide him the opportunity to compete against some of the best fighter’s in the world, given the richness of talent of the division.




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