Matt Serra: I believe Chris Weidman will be champion
Former UFC Welterweight titleholder Matt Serra recently came to the defense of his young student Chris Weidman. Hot on the heels of his brutal TKO over Mark Munoz, Weidman has since taken his new-found spotlight to call out longtime champ Anderson Silva. He is one of several Middleweights making a case to fight the long-reigning champion, joining Michael Bisping and Tim Boetsch among others. Silva’s camp has not budged on any of these challenges however, giving little thought to a fight with any of the current top contenders at 185 lbs. Regardless of this stalemate in negotiations, Matt Serra believes that Weidman can indeed finish off Silva in a changing of the guard at Middleweight. Speaking to MMAJunkie.com, Serra had high praise for the surging young contender:
“When he’s up here saying he wants Anderson Silva, he’s not doing it for just a paycheck. He’s doing it because he truly believes he can beat and finish Anderson Silva. He has the same approach to sparring, to rolling. He wants to – you want to spar with this guy, this guy’s tough – he wants to feel it. I believe he will be champion.”
Strong words from a very experienced fighter and trainer. Perhaps Serra’s statement should be taken lightly, but perhaps there is a bit of truth in his confidence. Believing that an aggressive, wrestling-based style is the best gameplan to defeat the seemingly untouchable Silva, Serra thinks that Weidman can not only hang with the champion but finish the fight decisively. Serra continued:
“Submission wise, he’s a freak. You’re talking about a kid who went to Abu Dhabi after six months of training, and he’s battling it out with black belts over there. He’s that good. He really is. For people to not think so, or think maybe he’s not ready, look what he’s done so far. Look at the guys who Mark Munoz fought.”
High praise for the submission skills of the former collegiate wrestler continue for Chris Weidman. Some argue that Mark Munoz may have been a bit out of shape after coming back off of elbow surgery last winter, and others still may note that Weidman looked very sloppy in his unimpressive victory over Demian Maia. Regardless, Weidman is on a roll, but if Silva’s camp never acknowledges the young fighter’s skills, we as fans may not see the fight for some time, if ever. Who should be the next to face the legend Anderson Silva, and do they have a chance?
Former UFC Welterweight titleholder Matt Serra recently came to the defense of his young student Chris Weidman. Hot on the heels of his brutal TKO over Mark Munoz, Weidman has since taken is new-found spotlight to call out longtime champ Anderson Silva. He is one of several Middleweights making a case to fight the long-reigning champion, joining Michael Bisping and Tim Boetsch among others. Silva’s camp has not budged on any of these challenges however, giving little thought to a fight with any of the current top contenders at 185 lbs. Regardless of this stalemate in negotiations, Matt Serra believes that Weidman can indeed finish off Silva in a changing of the guard at Middleweight. Speaking to MMAJunkie.com,Serra had high praise for the surging young contender:
“When he’s up here saying he wants Anderson Silva, he’s not doing it for just a paycheck. He’s doing it because he truly believes he can beat and finish Anderson Silva. He has the same approach to sparring, to rolling. He wants to – you want to spar with this guy, this guy’s tough – he wants to feel it. I believe he will be champion.”
Strong words from a very experienced fighter and trainer. Perhaps Serra’s statement should be taken lightly, but perhaps there is a bit of truth in his confidence. Believing that an aggressive, wrestling-based style is the best gameplan to defeat the seemingly untouchable Silva, Serra thinks that Weidman can not only hang with the champion but finish the fight decisively. Serra continued:
Submission wise, he’s a freak. You’re talking about a kid who went to Abu Dhabi after six months of training, and he’s battling it out with black belts over there. He’s that good. He really is. For people to not think so, or think maybe he’s not ready, look what he’s done so far. Look at the guys who Mark Munoz fought.”
High praise for the submission skills of the former collegiate wrestler continue for Chris Weidman. Some argue that Mark Munoz may have been a bit out of shape after coming back off of elbow surgery last winter, and others still may note that Weidman looked very sloppy in his unimpressive victory over Demian Maia. Regardless, Weidman is on a roll, but if Silva’s camp never acknowledges the young fighter’s skills, we as fans may not see the fight for some time, if ever. Who should be the next to face the legend Anderson Silva, and do they have a chance?
