Weidman had reigned atop the division since dethroning long-reigning champ Anderson Silva in 2013 and breaking Silva’s leg in the rematch. Rockhold is a former middleweight in Strikeforce.
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Weidman’s fourth career title defense against top contender Rockhold was a tantalizing appetizer fit to headline nearly any other UFC card.
It’s still up for debate whether or not Rockhold is a better grappler than he is a striker – if this is true, then Weidman could be out-matched Saturday night.
The bout was close up until Weidman attempted his wheel kick, although Rockhold took control in the second round thanks to his tremendous kicks. Weidman landed a big knee to the body. Weidman is known for his demand of the floor space as well – cutting off the Octagon against circling opponents, and forcing them into exchanges on his own terms.
McGregor won the interim featherweight belt in a main event in July, but his stoppage of Chad Mendes was preceded by welterweight champ Robbie Lawler’s bloody victory over Rory MacDonald in a spectacular title fight that almost got lost in McGregor’s promotional shadow. Weidman whiffs on a punch and so does Rockhold, but it allows Weidman to take Rockhold’s back standing.
In round three, things got hairy for Weidman, who went for an ill-advised spin kick and was taken down for the first time in his career.
Rockhold also is practically ideal as a professional, winning 13 of his last 14 fights over the last eight years and losing only to Vitor Belfort during the Brazilian’s sanctioned use of steroids. Rockhold would escape without much trouble, but was smothered in the clinch game, giving minutes, and possibly the round, away as a result. Weidman battled back in the second half of the frame, landing hard shots and gaining top control on the ground after a scramble.
Rockhold got mount and delivered vicious ground-and-pound. Rockhold managed to get back up to his feet. The fight was neck-and-neck until that point but when Weidman threw the spinning kick…well, it was basically all over. Good two-punch combo lands for Rockhold, but Weidman keeps going back to the body.
Coming out of the American Kickboxing Academy, one can easily expect Rockhold to be as prepared as ever for this title fight with Chris Weidman.
Rockhold v Weidman remained firmly in the shadows of the mammoth McGregor v Aldo main event but, just like Lawler v MacDonald at UFC 189, the co-main event surpassed all expectations.
But Herb Dean gave Weidman the benefit of the doubt.
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Weidman’s striking may not look aesthetically pleasing, but behind his stiff jab, clean cross, and extending left hook (which he has used to great effect), he has out-struck almost all of his opponents.
