Ryan Kuse has announced he is moving down to 135 pounds for his next UFC fight. The fighter is targeting a return sometime between November and January.
Ryan Kuse is making a divisional move, announcing that he is dropping to bantamweight — 135 pounds — ahead of his next UFC appearance, which he is targeting between November and January.
Kuse, 32, carries a professional record of 9-3 and competes out of The Goat Shed Academy in the United States. Known by the nickname "Third Street Savage," the orthodox striker stands five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach. His UFC output has leaned toward measured, deliberate striking, averaging 1.8 significant strikes landed per minute with a 23 percent striking accuracy rate. His statistical profile shows virtually no reliance on the grappling game, with no recorded takedown or submission attempts per 15 minutes, suggesting his bantamweight debut will be built around his stand-up work.
The move from a higher weight class down to 135 pounds is a notable commitment. Cutting to bantamweight can demand significant physical adjustment, and at 32, Kuse is betting that the change will suit his style and extend his time competing at the top level.
Why it matters
- Kuse enters one of the UFC's deepest and most competitive divisions, where his striking-heavy approach will be tested against elite-level opponents.
- His November-to-January target window is ambitious, leaving limited time to acclimate to the new weight class.
- With no grappling threat in his recent numbers, opponents at 135 pounds may look to take the fight to the mat early.
- At 9-3, Kuse needs wins to climb the bantamweight ladder, making his first outing at the new weight a pivotal moment in his UFC career.
