"I'm Open To Fighting Anderson Silva Again" - Chris Weidman
Our exclusive interview with Chris Weidman...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chris_Weidman.jpgChris Weidman had a phenomenal 2013, defeating Anderson Silva first at UFC 162, capturing the UFC Middleweight title in the process, and then beating The Spider once again at UFC 168 in December, retaining his title via technical knockout when Anderson Silva suffered a horrific injury, breaking his left fibula and tibia when Weidman checked one of Andersons low kicks. Weidman will now face Lyoto Machida in the main event of UFC 175 on July 5th, with the UFC Middleweight title on the line. Although Weidman defeated the legendary Anderson Silva twice, he still isnt considered as a legitimate champion by some of his critics. Come Saturday, Weidman will have the perfect opportunity to silence his critics once and for all with a victory over the former UFC Lightweight champion Lyoto The Dragon Machida, who is also one of the most respected fighters in the history of MMA. Ratish Menon and I managed to put forward a few questions to the Middleweight champion regarding his fight on Saturday, and asked him what he thought about fighting Anderson Silva for a third time once he returns to action. Below is the exclusive interview with the UFC Middleweight champion of the world, Chris Weidman. AG: At UFC 175, you are fighting Lyoto Machida who is pretty elusive as most of his opponents describe him to be. How are you preparing for his unorthodox style of fighting and which are the areas where you think you can score over him?CW: My game plan is usually simple. I like to keep moving forward and hit my opponent a lot. When I identify opportunities for take downs, I will go for them. Otherwise, the plan is to give them no chance of escaping and continue being relentless through five rounds. Machida definitely presents some unique challenges with his style, therefore I brought in UFC fighter Stephen Wonderboy Thompson who is an expert kick boxer and has a lot of those deceptive skills. I have worked extensively with him and feel very prepared. Machida will be surprised with my relentlessness. RM: You were previously scheduled to fight Vitor Belfort instead of Lyoto. How difficult/different has it been to prepare for Machida? Were just a couple of months enough for your preparation, with the title on the line?CW: I have had plenty of time. He is unique and has a different style, but I brought in Stephen Thompson to help emulate his style. He comes from a karate background, so that has helped me acclimate to Machidas style. AG: Normally, your game plan doesnt involve a lot of leg kicks, but with Machida, do you think that will change?CW: Yes, I will be looking for a lot of different things, leg kicks will definitely be one of them. RM: Will your recent knee surgeries affect your movement and hold you back in your fight against Machida?CW: No, my knees are back to 100%. AG: Do you think you have an advantage over Machida going in, considering he only had two fights after dropping down to the middleweight division?CW: I dont think Lyoto not having the experience dropping down is going to be an issue, at least I dont expect it to be. RM: After the last two wins over Anderson Silva, and given the ways in which the fights ended, do you think this is the fight where you have the perfect opportunity to silence your critics?CW: I think this is an opportunity for me to set myself apart from the rest of the division, and show them that I am going to be the champion for a long time. The critics will always be there. AG: With the middleweight division being as strong as it is now, which fighters do you feel are snapping at your heels for a future title shot?CW: The only person I am focusing on right now is Lyoto Machida. RM: With Anderson Silva eyeing a comeback in 2015, would you be open to facing him for a third time?CW: I would be open to it; if thats what people want to see, then Id definitely be open to doing it again. AG: If the UFC comes to India in late 2014 or early 2015, what are your thoughts on fighting in India?CW: That would be different. I have never thought about going to India in my life. But that would be pretty cool. RM: Whats next in store for you? Are there any projects youre currently working on outside of MMA?CW: Vacation after this fight; that is my number one project. AG: What are the main things you enjoy along with being a champion, apart from the prestige and money?CW: The appreciation; people appreciate what I do for a living. People respect what I do for a living and coming from a wrestling background, it is nice to have that. Stay tuned for more great interviews, as we talk to MMA legends such as Cung Le, Ken Shamrock and more!