Eastman To Enter UFC Middleweight Ranks

Former Light Heavyweight contender and current corrections officer, Marvin "The Beastman" Eastman has announced his plans to drop to Middleweight and fight grappling expect Demian Maia, despite The Beastman's current 0-3 record in the UFC.

Eastman made this announcement on his blog with the following declaration:

The smashing [continues] at 185 until I get a title fight against the belt holder in the middleweight division in the UFC. I will get there and win that belt.

Although Eastman hasn't done much as of late, I wouldn't count him out just yet. The man who holds an early win over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson would be an excellent complement to the UFC's weakest division. Following the UFC 77 bout between Silva and Franklin, there won't be an anyone who will be able to make an obvious and definite claim to a title shot. Eastman has a much better chance here than with the Light Heavyweights, which now contains just about every big name in the business. Add in the fact that Kang and Filho, two of the world's Top 5 Middleweights aren't in the UFC, and it becomes obvious that Marvin has just made the best business decision of his career.

His bout against Maia should be fascinating as well, comparing a buff and savage brawler against a slick former ADCC champ. The bout should be a throwback to older UFC's, which were a true test of skill vs. skill. The winner will not only make his respective martial art proud, but he may also be able to lay claim to the least challenged belt in the UFC.