The closet of Bellator MMA’s Juan Archuleta holds a diverse range of clothes in various sizes, making it an intriguing place to explore.In a pivotal bantamweight showdown, Archuleta (21-1) is set to face off against Ricky Bandejas (11-1) this Saturday at Bellator 214 in Los Angeles. For those unfamiliar, Archuleta previously competed in Bellator’s 135-pound division but his last two fights were in the featherweight division.
Why the change in weight class? It’s all part of Archuleta’s plan. According to him, “I lost my first fight in 2015, and I had to reset my goals. What did I want to do, other than be undefeated? I set a new goal of moving through different weight classes and establishing myself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. I believe that will be my legacy.”
Before joining Bellator in 2018, Archuleta excelled at the local level in weight classes ranging from 135 to 160 pounds. He now seeks advice from respected nutritionist Sam Calavitta, known for helping UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw in his successful move to the flyweight division. Archuleta took a trip to Brooklyn last week to witness Dillashaw’s historic weight cut.
“Preparing for a specific weight class changes the dynamic of fight camp,” Archuleta explained. “You make sacrifices in diet, fluid intake, meals, avoid cheating on your regimen, and approach every practice with full energy after bulking up. It’s a whole different experience that shifts the focus away from just the opponent.”
Archuleta’s interest in conditioning his body for different weight classes reflects his desire to leave a lasting legacy. The fighter based in California has been making headlines, and it seems like he is gearing up for bigger things in the near future. Transitioning between weight classes and fine-tuning the body is a demanding task that not everyone can handle with ease.
