After securing contract on DWCS 35, Natan Levy eyes move up to lightweight

LAS VEGAS — Natan Levy stepped in on just two days’ notice at a higher weight class, but his performance didn’t suffer one bit.

Levy (6-0) secured a UFC contract when he submitted Shaheen Santana in the third round at Dana White’s Contender Series 35 at the UFC Apex, competing at a catchweight of 160 pounds.

After not having to drain himself down to his usual fighting weight of 145 pounds, Levy sees the perks of competing at a weight class above.

“I think I felt good tonight, I think I’m gonna start fighting at ’55,” Levy told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the post-fight press conference. “I felt strong, I think I can make the weight, I did it in two days for a catchweight, but a week would be fine to get to ’55 and then I could fight more often as well.”

Levy was at a significant height disadvantage against Santana, but after taking his opponent out, he likes his chances in the lightweight division.

“My biggest worry calculation thing was that fighting at ’55 would be against taller, bigger people with a bigger frame and maybe people that cut weight from a higher weight, so basically putting myself at a disadvantage,” Levy said. “But at the weigh-ins, I think it looked like David vs. Goliath, but I prevailed. I showed that it’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog.”