When it comes to New Year resolutions, losing weight is atop most lists.
James Te Huna's included.
The hard-hitting Light Heavyweight looks to start 2014 on the right foot after a forgettable 2013 -- which saw the him end the year with two straight losses -- by dropping down to Middleweight.
And after competing at 205 pounds for his entire mixed martial arts (MMA) career, Te Huna hopes shedding 20 pounds will right his ship.
He revealed his plans for 2014 to MMA Corner:
"It was a pretty embarrassing loss, and last year was a pretty bad year for me. I had a lot of issues going into my fight in London, and we tried to work some things out in my time off between fights. And then there was that embarrassing knockout to finish the year off. This year, I am excited to take on a new challenge and take on a drop to middleweight. It's about making a fresh new start and taking on a new challenge, and I know I'll be able to make middleweight. Middleweight is probably a bit more of a natural weight for me. Right now, I am always eating so that I can stay up at light heavyweight. I'm one of the lightest guys at light heavyweight, so I know that if I eat normally I'll be able to hit middleweight. I've been fighting at light heavyweight for my whole career, but I think that this challenge is the right move."
Before Te Huna accepts a fight in his new weight class, he intends to do a couple of test cuts just make sure his body responds to it well; however, he says he should have no issues shedding the extra baggage.
Te Huna was last seen going to sleep inside the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 33 thanks to the vicious hands of Mauricio Rua as the Brazilian bomber connected with a clean left hook that left the New Zealander out for the count early in round one (watch it again here).
Prior to that, Te Huna was submitted by current No. 1 Light Heavyweight contender Glover Teixieira at UFC 160 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What say you Maniacs, can Te Huna find success at Middleweight or will it be more of the same at 185 pounds?