UFC 194 Preview – Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold
The UFC 194 co-main event has show stealing potentialThe co-main event for UFC 194 is not only the biggest fight in middleweight history but arguably the biggest co-main event the UFC has ever put on. In a classic all American, East coast vs. West coast battle, the undefeated Chris Weidman will put his title on the line against his most formidable adversary, Luke Rockhold. It’s very rare that you have two undeniably talented fighters squaring off when both of them are at their peak. Much like Lawler – Macdonald 2 did at UFC 189, this fight has show stealer written all over it.Weidman is looking to silence doubters once and for all by adding Luke Rockhold’s name to a list of vanquished opponents that reads as a who’s who of Brazilian MMA legends.Rockhold on the other hand is seeking to finally achieve the recognition he feels he was denied by adding the UFC middleweight championship to his list of honors.
#1 Road to the Octagon
Chris Weidman
From 2006 to 2013, Anderson Silva ruled the middleweight division. He had no equal and his fights often resembled a round of UFC Undisputed on the PlayStation. Then along came Chris Weidman.
An afterthought to most, a heavy underdog to all, favoured only by a select few. Weidman was supposed to be the last stop on Anderson Silva’s journey to a Superfight with either Jon Jones or Georges St. Pierre.
However in one of the most iconic upsets in MMA history, the All American connected with a hook knocking the legendary Brazilian out and winning the middleweight championship.
Luke Rockhold
When the UFC absorbed Strikeforce in 2013, they added amongst others, Luke Rockhold to their roster. At the time Rockhold was the Strikeforce middleweight champion, fresh off a win over Tim Kennedy.
Despite his credentials, Rockhold flew under the radar a bit and was hardly a popular figure even in MMA circles. A debut loss to Vitor Belfort didn’t help him. Since then though, Rockhold has won 4 straight fights.
His last and most impressive was in April of this year against former Light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida. The victory earned Rockhold his shot at Weidman and the title.