Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman says fans are ‘awkward’ about his loss to Luke Rockhold

For a time it seemed that UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman might go his entire career without losing.

The ease with which he seemingly dispatched one of the greatest fighters of all time (twice) cemented the idea in the heads of many fans who expected him to similarly run through Luke Rockhold.

Yeah, about that theory. Awkward.

Although Weidman later said it was the best thing that ever happened to him, he confessed to Newsday.com that interactions with fans has been a little difficult since the donut was devoured from his loss column.

“Everywhere I go, especially for the first time, it’s awkward when you see people because people are awkward around you because they don’t know how to react,” Weidman said Friday afternoon at his gym in Garden City. “It’s almost like going to a funeral and when you have to go up to the family and give your condolences. It’s always awkward. You don’t know really what to say because nothing’s going to make them feel better.”

What’s amusing is that it’s Weidman who’s trying to cheer up the fans, not the other way around.

It was a little more difficult breaking the news to his kids. He told Newsday.com that it was “very emotional” explaining to his 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son that Daddy didn’t win and the bruised and battered face was the reason why.

“They’re just like, ‘What do you mean you lost? You don’t lose,'” Weidman continued. “Then right away, it’s like, ‘OK, Daddy. You’re going to beat him next time.'”

Next time might be sooner than we think.

The All American has been calling for a rematch since day one, and with Ronaldo Souza booked for a fight with Vitor Belfort while Yoel Romero sits for using banned substances, it looks like his wish may come true.

He just needs to survive this blizzard first.

Rockhold says he was only fighting to “half” of his abilities due to an infection but has welcomed a rematch with the former champ.

If Weidman gets his wish how do you see the second fight playing out? No more spinning back kicks I’m guessing?

For a time it seemed that UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman might go his entire career without losing.

The ease with which he seemingly dispatched one of the greatest fighters of all time (twice) cemented the idea in the heads of many fans who expected him to similarly run through Luke Rockhold.

Yeah, about that theory. Awkward.

Although Weidman later said it was the best thing that ever happened to him, he confessed to Newsday.com that interactions with fans has been a little difficult since the donut was devoured from his loss column.

“Everywhere I go, especially for the first time, it’s awkward when you see people because people are awkward around you because they don’t know how to react,” Weidman said Friday afternoon at his gym in Garden City. “It’s almost like going to a funeral and when you have to go up to the family and give your condolences. It’s always awkward. You don’t know really what to say because nothing’s going to make them feel better.”

What’s amusing is that it’s Weidman who’s trying to cheer up the fans, not the other way around.

It was a little more difficult breaking the news to his kids. He told Newsday.com that it was “very emotional” explaining to his 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son that Daddy didn’t win and the bruised and battered face was the reason why.

“They’re just like, ‘What do you mean you lost? You don’t lose,'” Weidman continued. “Then right away, it’s like, ‘OK, Daddy. You’re going to beat him next time.'”

Next time might be sooner than we think.

The All American has been calling for a rematch since day one, and with Ronaldo Souza booked for a fight with Vitor Belfort while Yoel Romero sits for using banned substances, it looks like his wish may come true.

He just needs to survive this blizzard first.

Rockhold says he was only fighting to “half” of his abilities due to an infection but has welcomed a rematch with the former champ.

If Weidman gets his wish how do you see the second fight playing out? No more spinning back kicks I’m guessing?