Submitted by Bellator MMA

Even before Brandon Halsey made headlines Thursday evening for missing weight and getting stripped of his middleweight title, a move to light heavyweight was in his sights.

Halsey will still fight Kendall Grove Friday night at Bellator 137, but, after coming in roughly three pounds over the middleweight limit of 185 pounds, he will only defend his undefeated record, not the shiny golden strap.

While this is surprising, it may ultimately be for the best for Halsey and his career.

The 8-0 mixed martial artist was always massive for middleweight, needing to drop 50 pounds or more during fight camp to make the 185-pound limit. While he's enjoyed huge success inside Bellator's middleweight division, he began his career at light heavyweight, and the thought of returning to 205 has always been in the back of his mind.

"I started my career at 205, you know?" Halsey told Bleacher Report before missing weight for Bellator 137. "I'd love to fight at '85 and 205. I feel just as big and strong and fast at 205 as I do 185. That would be something we could play with in the future."

While Halsey didn't give a specific date he'd like to move to light heavyweight, all signs pointed to the jump happening sooner than later during our chat.

"We've thrown it out there [to Bellator] that I'd like to fight at 205, too," Halsey said. "I'm always ready. I walk around at a big size. Putting on size isn't an issue for me. When Bellator gives me the go-ahead, I'll be ready for it."

While forgoing such a dramatic weight cut is obviously a perk of moving to 205 for Halsey, he said he also looks forward to many of the matchups that await in Bellator's light heavyweight division. With fighters such as champ Liam McGeary, former UFC standout Phil Davis and the always entertaining and ferocious Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, Halsey thinks exciting challenges await, and he's ready to tackle them immediately after his fight with Grove.

"Oh, yeah [I'd be open to moving to 205 after Grove]," Halsey said. "The light heavyweight division is more stacked than the middleweight division in Bellator, so going up to light heavyweight kind of makes a little bit of sense to me. A lot of those fights would be interesting."

After missing weight Thursday evening, the move to 205 could be on deck for the former champ.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report as the situation continues to develop.