Joe Riggs' plan: Move to 170 pounds, return to the UFC

Originally posted by MMAjunkie.com

by John Morgan on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:40 am ET

With a September bout with highly regarded middleweight Kazuo Misaki (20-8-2) on the horizon, Joe Riggs (28-10) on Thursday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) it will be his last in the division.

The Riggs vs. Misaki bout is one of a handful of matches that have been officially announced for "Strikeforce at the Mansion II," scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Riggs, who has fought from 170 pounds all the way up to heavyweight in his seven-year career, said the decision was made based on the way his 25-year-old body has developed.

"I'm going back to 170 because, for one, my body weight is just adjusted," Riggs said. "When I used to cut to 170 -- back when I fought Diego (Sanchez) and those guys -- it was a really, really tough cut. My body has adapted. Now it's easier."

Before making that drop to welterweight, Riggs must first fight a very tough Misaki. Riggs, who had an eight-fight stint in the UFC, believes the win is important to re-establishing himself among the world's elite.

"I'm at the point in my career where I want a big fight," Riggs said. "I need a big fight like that to push myself back into the top 10. Styles make fights, and this is a good style for me.

"[Misaki] likes to stand up and throw. He's more of a counter-fighter. I'm going to keep it on the feet. I'm going to press forward and keep going. He likes to rely on his speed, and I'm faster than he is. Technical-wise I'm better than I've ever been in my career."

Riggs, who has two fights remaining on his contract with Strikeforce, also hopes a win against such a noteworthy opponent could propel him to signing with a larger organization.

"The reason I want to fight somebody like Misaki more than a lesser opponent is because I'm not as young as I used to be," Riggs said. "I'm 25 (years old). I'm not old or anything. I'm just tired of stagnating.

"I want to jump back up there. When I leave Strikeforce I want to build up the momentum and carry that over to my next contract -- whoever that may be with. Like the UFC or something."

Riggs said he is open to the idea of returning to Strikeforce when his contract expires, but the desire to fight again on a grander scale is currently driving the Arizona resident to succeed on MMA's biggest stage.

"You never know," Riggs said. "I've got to weigh my options. Strikeforce is a cool company. I like (Strikeforce promoter) Scott Coker and those guys. They pay me good money. But I miss fighting on those (bigger) shows.

"I asked for my release from the UFC (in 2007), and they gave it to me. After that, sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I do miss fighting in the UFC."

While Riggs will have to wait to finalize any changes in his contract status, the decision to drop to 170 pounds has already been made.

"I'm going to be in the sport for many more years," Riggs said. "I'm only 25 (years old). I've got a decade left to go. Maybe when I do get older it might be hard to get that weight off me. I might go back to 185 (pounds) in later years. But for the next couple years to come, 170 (pounds) is definitely where I'll be at.

"I'm really excited. I can't wait to get going."

John Morgan is the lead staff reporter for MMAjunkie.com.