After years of competing at higher weight classes, Manny Gamburyan (10-5) at only 5’5″ has been fighting an uphill battle most of his career. On June 7th that will all change when the Armenian MMA fighter makes his WEC debut and steps in to face undefeated New York native John Franchi (5-0) at featherweight (145 lbs.).
In a new press release PRO MMA (promma.info) received Tuesday from the WEC, Gamburyan, an Ultimate Fighter season five finalist, talks about making the move from fighting in the UFC lightweight division to the WEC’s featherweight division, “At 155 I was pretty shredded, so at 145 I’ll be way shredded. I’ll probably be able to overpower people more with my strength, but I’m still not going to fight with my muscles. I’ll fight with my head and use my techniques more than anything. My style is to always attack. I’m always going to attack you whether I get knocked out or knock you out.”
Gamburyan goes on to talk about the stiff competition at featherweight and shares a bit of his game plan for June 7th, “It’s a very talented group, a lot of talented guys out there. But every time you fight you want to challenge yourself. I won’t choose my opponents. Whoever they choose for me to fight, I’m there. This time it’s John Franchi – and hopefully I can get past this guy and then whatever comes up. John’s going to have his hands full because I’m bringing my ‘A’ game. I’m going for the finish, that’s my game plan.”
Manny Gamburyan will fight John Franchi on the under-card of “WEC: Brown-Faber II” at the ARCO Arena on June 7th in Sacramento, California. “WEC: Brown vs. Faber II” will be televised nationally live on VERSUS beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
By: Jack Bratcher