Any thoughts that Chris Weidman is still a wild card in the UFC ended on Saturday against Tom Lawlor.
He’s not a wild card. He’s an up-and-coming star.
In UFC 139 on Saturday, Weidman, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, proved just how dangerous his wrestling skills were.
Lawlor started off the aggressor and headed straight for Weidman, but Weidman kept him at a distance, then closed in quickly, putting Lawlor on the fence.
At that point, all Lawlor was trying to do was scramble off the mat. But he was kept down with a single leg by Weidman, then adeptly placed into a Brabo choke. The choke was so well done, with such good positioning, that Lawlor had nowhere to go—he went to sleep before the ref could even stop the fight.
Weidman finished the fight at the 2:07 mark, cementing a quick and decisive victory for the New Yorker.
Weidman, who improved to 7-0 and 3-0 in the UFC, was clearly elated about his latest victory.
Said Weidman, via MMAJunkie.com:
“God gave me long arms, and I make them work for me. I’m real, real happy. Tom Lawlor is the best guy I’ve fought so far. This is a big day.”
Weidman’s wrestling skills and jiu-jitsu game are becoming a severe threat for opponents. His win against Lawlor came after submitting Jesse Bongfeldt in just six seconds in UFC 131, which was the Submission of the Night for the event.
If the 27-year-old continues at this pace, he’s going to be making a name for himself in a hurry.
Bring on a higher level of competition.
Weidman is clearly ready to take the next step.
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