UFC
Jeff Curran hopes UFC will give him one chance at flyweight after UFC on Fuel 3 loss
May 18, 2012 - 5:05:26 PM Jeff Curran hopes UFC will give him one chance at flyweight after UFC on Fuel 3 loss

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Jeff Curran's decision loss to Johnny Eduardo on Tuesday at UFC on Fuel 3 was his second straight since being brought back to the UFC last October. Counting his last run in the WEC, he's lost six straight under the Zuffa banner.

As he nears his 35th birthday in September, Curran's worried this latest loss may be his last shot in the UFC, and thus his MMA career.

"I am at a huge fear for my job and career with UFC," he said in an interview with MMAFighting.com. "Knowing that they don't like to sign older guys past 35 years old due to athletic commission complications, and me nearing 35 in September, being dropped from UFC would mean the end of my career."

"I am determined to get a fight at 125. I feel the weight cut to 135 isn't even a cut at all. I am a smaller boned guy who has had to stay big over the years and now I can finally see that a lower weight is a chance for me and my time is running short. "

Curran is a near-50-fight veteran of the sport, who has competed around the world and in numerous organizations over his 14-year career. With a number of intriguing matchups in the UFC's newly created flyweight division, Curran's just hoping the UFC will give him one more chance to get a win inside the Octagon.

"There is a few guys I would like to fight at 125 to have a final shot at proving at the end of the day that I am just a little guy but capable of doing bigger things than I have been able to display," Curran said. "Yasuhiro Urushitani, John Lineker, or even a rematch with Kid Yamamoto at 125 would be a perfect fit, if either one of them coming off losses has the (expletive) to test themselves against me these days."

"Japan, Brazil, USA ... doesn't matter to me," he continued. "I pray UFC can recognize this and call my management. UFC will at least end up with a war once again. Nothing to lose. I hope the fans get behind me here. I planned on dropping down after a win over Eduardo. I lost the fight but here I am."

"I gave my life to the sport, and feel I have had a curse hanging over me and losing decisions has become the norm on beating me. I know that 125 is stiff competition, but nobody has a reach advantage, and that's one of my worst body types to fight: tall and lanky."

Penick's Analysis: I hope the UFC gives him one more chance. He's had a number of really close fights in that six-fight Zuffa losing streak, with all but his loss to Urijah Faber (which started the streak) coming by decision. Even though all those fights have gone to the scorecards, they've mostly been exciting contests, and he'll be a challenge for any opponent they book him against. If he can change things up and get to 125 lbs., he very well could find a new lease on his career. The UFC should at least give him that chance.