Chris Weidman knows Luke Rockhold will likely be the next to challenge for his middleweight title, but the champion doesn’t seem all too concerned about it.
The undefeated Serra-Longo product could trade in his All-American moniker for “The Legend Slayer” with the collection of MMA greats he’s added to his resume during his rise to the top of the middleweight ranks. He’s defeated Anderson Silva on two occasions in addition to besting former champions Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort in a string of consecutive successful title defenses.
While the former Strikeforce champion isn’t a heralded Brazilian MMA icon, Weidman fully expects to get his hand raised when he eventually faces Rockhold.
The New York-based titleholder acknowledges the American Kickboxing Academy representative’s versatile skill set but is confident he’ll have what it takes to keep the middleweight crown in Long Island.
Weidman addressed a potential upcoming tilt with Rockhold this past weekend at UFC 188 (h/t MMA Fighting), where he opened up about the details of how he plans to beat the newly minted title challenger:
Nothing has been confirmed, but it’s sounding like it. I think Luke deserves it to be honest, but it’s up to the UFC and we’ll see what happens. If I had to put all my money on it, then it would probably be Luke.
He’s good-looking. I’ll give him that, but other than that, he stinks at everything. No, he’s good. He’s well-rounded, but it doesn’t matter. Any of these guys at my weight I’m completely running through everybody. [Luke] can’t beat me in jiu-jitsu, he can’t beat me in stand-up and he can’t beat me in wrestling.
While Weidman confirmed there is yet to be anything made official for his bout against Rockhold, there has been plenty of speculation that he will be a large part of a potential event at Madison Square Garden in December.
MMA is still illegal in New York, but the UFC has high hopes that hurdle will finally be cleared in 2015, which would allow the premier organization in the sport to hold events at one of the most historic venues in the history of combat sports in general.
The reigning middleweight champion told the media in Mexico City that he was holding out hope to fight on the inaugural card held in his home state in December, but he would be willing to fight sooner should the bill to legalize MMA in the “Empire State” get rejected as it has in recent years.
While there are still details to be worked out as to when and where, Rockhold has been officially named the No. 1 contender in the 185-pound division.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the 30-year-old Californian will get the next shot during a recent episode of UFC Tonight (h/t MMA Mania), and Rockhold‘s work inside the Octagon has made a strong case for him finally getting a championship opportunity.
He’s won four straight showings against top competition—all of which have come via stoppage. His most recent victory is perhaps the most impressive yet, as he submitted former light heavyweight champion and former middleweight title challenger Lyoto Machida at UFC on Fox 15 back in April.
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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