Reining UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, unsuccessful in his bid to dethrone light heavyweight kingpin Jan Blachowicz, is expected to make his next title defense in a rematch against former titleholder Robert Whittaker.
And if he turns away “The Reaper” for a second time, top contender Marvin Vettori will no doubt be waiting in the wings.
Unfortunately for “The Last Stylebender,” back-to-back wins over Whittaker and Vettori only nudge him closer to the most dangerous fight of all, a five-round showdown against ex-middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Who just so happens to know a thing or two about upsetting the 185-pound apple cart.
“Seeing that (Blachowicz) fight, seeing how a strong guy was able to out-grapple him and get the takedowns, it definitely reaffirmed the thoughts that I had on that fight,” Weidman (15-5) told reporters (via MMA Junkie). “That being said, I have some work to do. I got Uriah Hall. I don’t expect to be fighting Adesanya next. I do know I’m bad matchup for him, and when I’m able to prove it to everybody, people are going to want to see it.”
The first leg on that journey begins with his Uriah Hall rematch, which takes place at the UFC 261 pay-per-view (PPV) event this Sat. night (April 24, 2021) inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Weidman previously defeated “Prime Time” under the Ring of Combat banner back in late 2010.
After that, the 36 year-old “All American” will set his sights on a “big name.”
“I don’t expect it to be right after this Uriah Hall fight, I expect to fight another big name after that, and if it takes another one, it takes another one,” Weidman continued. “But I think win two fights in spectacular fashion and I get to show my potential, I think people are going to want to see me fight for the title.”
Jon Jones is no doubt breathing a sigh of relief.