Chad Laprise Is Glad to Move to Welterweight After Missing Lightweight Cut

Chad Laprise spoke with MMAjunkie about missing weight for his fight with Thibault Gouti at UFC on FOX 21, where he won. Some highlights are below:

On moving up to welterweight after missing weight: “I’m a really big lightweight – I get up over 200 pounds sometimes. The weight cut is always a struggle. I’ve been thinking about going up to welterweight for a while and I think the time is now. The weight just wasn’t coming off. I was at 159 pounds and it just wouldn’t come off anymore. So I apologize to Thibault, I apologize to the UFC. It’s very unprofessional, and I’m going to do my next fight at 170.”

On the benefit of moving up: “It’s always a struggle – it kills me to make 155. Even tonight, I’m 180 pounds. Fight nigh, the biggest I’ve been is 184. I’m a really big guy for lightweight. So I just feel like my body will be healthier at 170, and I can walk around at near fighting weight instead of having these drastic weight cuts with no IV (rehydration).”

On his next fight: “I’m down (to fight Ross Pearson). And I know Ross fought at 170 against (Jorge) Masvidal. So if me and Ross can do it at 170 in Toronto, that would be a dream come true. That would be amazing.”