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12/22/2024 10:56:32 pm

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UFC News Update: Chris Weidman to Defend UFC MW Title Against Luke Rockhold

Chris Weidman on top!

(Photo : Reuters) UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman administers some brutal ground and pound against challenger Vitor Belfort in UFC 187. He will defend his title against Luke Rockhold next.

Fresh off his UFC 187 win, division champion and "legend killer," Chris "All American" Weidman has finally drawn his next title defense assignment. UFC president Dana White, appearing on Foxs Sports 1's "UFC Tonight" telecast Wednesday, announced former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold will be the next in line to get a shot at the 185-pound title.

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Weideman's belt and 13-0 record will be put on the line against one of the division's most dangerous fighters. According to Sherdog.Com, Rockhold has won 9 of his last 10 fights, including four in a row, with three submissions and one knockout. His last defeat was at the hands of former Weidman challenger, Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort, who caught the American in his UFC debut with a spinning heel kick before finishing him on the ground with punches. His last win, though, was an impressive domination and second round rear naked choke submission of former Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida.

Not to be outdone, Weidman's win credentials are nothing to scoff at. He became champion nearly two years ago by knocking out who is believed to be the "Michael Jordan of MMA," Anderson Silva. In their immediate rematch, the "All American" won via TKO by checking a Silva leg kick with a knee, snapping the challenger's shin and breaking his leg in the process.  Silva had to be carried out with a stretcher after the match. Wiedman then continued his reign with a unanimous decision win over Machida and, just recently, grounding and pounding his way to victory over former UFC champion Belfort.

With both riding winning impressive streaks, Weidman vs. Rockhold presents a clash between two of the top fighters the UFC has to offer. On paper, both seem evenly matched on the striking and grappling departments. Weidman, though, holds a slight edge on wrestling by virtue of being a former two-time Division 1 All-American.

White made the announcement for the matchup even without a confirmed date or venue. Yahoo Sports! reported it could potentially top-bill UFC 191 in Las Vegas on September 5. However, since Wiedman is a native New Yorker, there has been chatter that a better pay-per-view fight could be in the offing if they headline UFC's first event at the Madison Square Garden in New York, pending the court's approval of legalizing MMA in the state. 

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