Luke Rockhold Set To Rematch Chris Weidman At UFC 199
Despite recently expressing interest in a potential fight with all-time great Anderson Silva, UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold will indeed make the first defense of his title in a rematch against Chris Weidman.
UFC President Dana White broke the news earlier today (February 3, 2016) on Garbage Time with Katie Nolan, saying that the two will square off at UFC 199 at June:
.@katienolan with another scoop! @LukeRockhold will rematch @ChrisWeidmanUFC in June #GTLive https://t.co/FPRrmAP9og
— Garbage Time (@GarbageTime) February 3, 2016
Rockhold originally took on Weidman last December at UFC 194 in Las Vegas with Weidman’s then held middleweight strap hanging in the balance.
After a semi-close opening two rounds, the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) product would soon take over after an ill-advised Weidman spinning kick attempt. Leaving the New York native stumbling back to his corner after round three, Rockhold would come out in the fourth and finish off the job, stealing the title in the process.
In the aftermath of the bout, it appeared as if Yoel Romero would be next in line, but Rockhold was interested in a rematch with bitter rival Vitor Belfort.
With Romero failing a drug test, and Belfort being matched up with Ronald “Jacare” Souza, Weidman seemed to be the logical option for Rockhold.
Do you see the rematch playing out differently, or will the champion make the first defense of his title?
