LAS VEGAS – Almost as soon as she got in the UFC, “The Ultimate Fighter 28” winner Macy Chiasson was greeted by controversy.
Her decision to move to bantamweight from the featherweight class featured on the show prompted criticism from 145-pound vet Megan Anderson, who accused the newcomer of looking for an “easy way” into the UFC.
“The big question was, ‘Was this predetermined?’ No, it wasn’t predetermined,” Chiasson (3-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who faces Gina Mazany (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 235, told MMAjunkie. “It was something I never thought I’d be able to do, but with effort, motivation, time, work and grind, I feel like an amazing athlete right now.
“I feel like 135 is actually a really good weight class for me. It’s the leanest I’ve ever been, it’s the strongest I’ve ever been, and I can understand why fighters, especially at 145, would be upset. They are trying to build a division, and it’s their life. It’s their job. But we haven’t completely put out 145. We’re just trying to make a run at 135, and my coaches believe 135 is a good weight class for me, so we’re going to try and make a run with it.”
Chiasson struggled to make the 145-pound limit for a semifinal bout against Leah Letson. But she said a 12-week camp has ensured she won’t have a difficult weight cut for the drop to 135 pounds.
On Saturday at T-Mobile Center, Chiasson looks forward to proving herself in a new division.
Check out the video above for more from Chiasson.
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