Aaron Simpson planning move to welterweight

After suffering a Split Decision loss to Ronny Markes earlier this week at UFC on Fuel 1 it appears Aaron Simpson is considering a drop down to 170 pounds to take advantage of his size rather than suffer as a smaller opponent. The 37-year old grappler leveled his Brazilian adversary in their bout but struggled to slip out of the larger Markes’ grasp in the clinch.

“There were times I couldn’t budge,” said Simpson to MMAJunkie. “He had his shoulder buried in my chest, and I couldn’t move him. And I can defend a lot of people’s takedowns and everything, and it was just one of those deals where that really dwarfed me.”

A Round-by-Round Look at Simpson vs. Markes

“Everybody I fight is cutting from 220,” the 11-3 Simpson continued, adding his power is enough to contend with bigger foes but his size simply isn’t.

Simpson had won a trio of tilts entering the match-up with Markes including victories over Mario Miranda, Brad Tavares, and Eric Schafer. Simpon has only been finished a single time in his career (by Chris Leben), having lost to the decision to Markes as well as one to Mark Munoz.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC