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There was a time when Chris Weidman was middleweight champion of the world and widely-considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, even going so far as to plan a light heavyweight super fight against 205-pound deity Jon Jones.
These days, “All American” isn’t even ranked in the Top 15.
Weidman, 36, is hoping to recapture some of his former glory when he tangles with Omari Akhmedov in the UFC Vegas 6 co-main event, which airs exclusively on ESPN+ a week from Sat. night (Aug. 8, 2020) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“To be honest, I think I’m better everywhere, he gets tired and swings heavy,” Weidman told MMA Line Movement (transcribed by Cole Shelton). “Not that he is knocking too many people out, he doesn’t have many knockouts. He does swing wild a little unorthodox but he gets tired. I just think I can pick him apart on the feet, create a crazy pace and mentally and physically break him.”
Weidman (14-5) has dropped five of his last six fights and while losing streaks are not uncommon in combat sports, the struggling “All American” has been finished in all five losses, including his short-lived transition to light heavyweight last October.
Sooner or later he’s going to get “the talk.”
The 32 year-old Akhmedov (20-4-1) is a former welterweight who continues to excel in his new home of 185 pounds. “Wolverine” is the polar opposite of Weidman, winning five of his last six and looking more polished in each performance.
To see the rest of the Aug. 8 fight card and line up click here.