It has been a troublesome yr for UFC light-weight Daniel Zellhuber. ‘Golden Boy’ entered 2024 as one of the crucial touted prospects within the sport, however has misplaced three straight since then, most just lately being stopped by King Inexperienced through TKO in February. Together with his again in opposition to the wall, Zellhuber introduced a drastic profession change.
Daniel Zellhuber good points weight
For the primary time in his skilled profession, Zellhuber will struggle at 170 kilos in his subsequent bout. The transfer to welterweight comes with the hope that by eliminating a big weight minimize, he’ll have the ability to concentrate on coaching somewhat than placing his physique by way of vital put on and tear throughout camp.
Daniel Zellhuber has been coaching in Excessive Couture for the previous 5 years since immigrating from his native Mexico. He has turn into a staple at UFC occasions and UFC Noche playing cards in Mexico. The brand new welterweight at present has no fights booked, however some could surprise if this announcement coincides with him being added to this yr’s UFC Noce card on September twenty sixth.
Watch Daniel Zellhuber within the UFC
Zellhuber first entered the UFC in 2021 on the age of twenty-two by defeating Lucas Almeida on Dana White’s Contender Sequence. “Golden Boy” misplaced to Trey Ogden in his promotional debut, however then went on a tear and gained three straight in opposition to Lando Vannata, Christos Jagos, and Francisco Prado. Getting into 2024, many followers noticed Zellhuber as a possible top-15 contender and a future title contender. He was additionally added to EA Sports activities’ UFC 5 online game, with many contemplating him as one of many future stars of the game.
Since then, three consecutive losses have ruined that momentum. Zellhuber competed in 2024 in what many contemplate to be one of many fights of the yr, dropping a bloody struggle with Esteban Livovic by a razor choice. Zellhuber possible suffered vital injury on this struggle, as each fighters absorbed vital injury over the course of three rounds. His previous two losses are extra regarding as he misplaced to veteran Michael Johnson and King Greene. “Golden Boy” entered each of those matches as not less than a 4-1 betting favourite. The loss to Inexperienced was his first KO loss and first stoppage lack of his skilled profession.
One of many largest criticisms of Daniel Zellhuber is his gradual begin. He takes a really clever strategy to fights, which regularly ends in him falling behind on the scorecards within the early rounds. In idea, Zellhuber nonetheless has all of the instruments to turn into a future champion. At 6 toes 1 inch tall and with a 77 inch attain, he has all the time loved an enormous measurement benefit at light-weight and infrequently outnumbers his opponents in peak and attain at welterweight. He has sharp and versatile kickboxing expertise and has three skilled submission wins.
Nevertheless, as his current fights have proven, the skilled veteran was capable of make the most of Daniel Zellhuber’s gradual begin and push a tempo that was troublesome for him to get better on the scorecards. In idea, Zellhuber has a mode constructed for five-round fights, however he is nonetheless removed from the stage in his profession the place he can realistically major occasion a UFC card. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if the transfer to 170 kilos comes with a extra aggressive model and a sooner begin contained in the Octagon.
What’s subsequent for Daniel Zellhuber?
As beforehand talked about, Daniel Zellhuber isn’t at present scheduled to make his welterweight debut, however followers are speculating that the Mexican standout may earn a spot on this yr’s UFC No Che card. Zellhuber may have a win in his subsequent struggle to stay on the UFC roster. It is because shedding 4 video games in a row typically places the way forward for promotion in jeopardy. At simply 27 years previous, he’s in his bodily prime, and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the burden acquire helps change the trajectory of his profession.
