Chris Piriz (5-4 MMA, 0-0 MMMA) makes the move up to featherweight when he faces Thad Frick (2-4 MMA, 0-0 MMMA) at Maverick MMA 2 inside the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania July 1, 2017.
Tired, that is how Piriz felt throughout his unanimous decision loss to Jordan Morales at PA Cage Fight 28 April 15, 2017. The 28-year-old considered making the move to 145 lbs. since his last four bouts, but after his second-straight defeat, Piriz finally made the decision.
“I’ll tell you two things about last fight. One, after round one I told my coaches if I were to lay down right now I could sleep and they chewed me up,” Piriz said. “I remember telling myself to let go of my hands more, he was running when I would. I couldn’t feel my body enough to do so.”
Piriz is no stranger to the division, having fought twice at featherweight. On Oct. 10, 2015, he finished Thomas Hodge by first-round TKO at Elite Warrior Challenge 8 and then stopped Patrick White via TKO in the third round at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 56 Feb. 27, 2016.
Since moving back to bantamweight, Piriz finished (1-2) in his last three bouts.
“I’ve always known if I connect they all drop. I’ve been hooked on the fact of hitting 135 lbs. guys and knocking them out,” Piriz said. “I can easily drop featherweights to though.”
A cousin of UFC lightweight Jim Miller, Frick has not found the same success in the cage. The 28-year-old is currently suffering a three-fight skid.
His most recent victory came at CFFC 47, earning a unanimous decision against Chris Sladky March 7, 2015. His only other victory came in his professional debut June 7, 2014.
The Nazareth, Pennsylvania native put away T.J. Pettigrew at Xtreme Fight Events 43.
As an amateur, Frick finished undefeated with four wins. He will now make his Maverick MMA debut as he looks to re-enter the win column.
This marks the promotions second event after holding its inaugural show at the Sherman Theater April 7, 2017.
By NJ MMA News Staff
