7 Threats To UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman's Crown
This is a real murderer’s row of contenders, and Weidman can’t overlook a single one.
The mistake many a young contender has made in combat sports is thinking that acquiring the championship is the end goal of their careers. After years, sometimes decades, spent training relentlessly day in and day out, its easy to get fixated and obsessed on wearing that golden belt around your waist. Most of the time those dreams dont pan out; there can only be one real champion in a sea of contenders.
Even so, on the rare occasion when the stars align, the new champ might not be ready for what comes next. In his mind hes been in a full sprint throughout his combat sports career, with the championship as his marker for the finish line. In reality, the real challenge has only just begun.
UFC Middleweight champion Chris Weidman is no exception to the rule. When Weidman was firs told hed be facing longtime champion Anderson Silva for the belt at UFC 162, he didnt have dynasty building on his mind. His home had just been destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, and he and his family were living out of a hotel. Weidman turned all that negativity into determination and shocked the world by ending Anderson Silvas 8-year reign with a thunderous knockout. At UFC 168 he got the nod over Anderson Silva yet again in the rematch, this time after checking a kick so effectively it snapped Silvas leg in 2.
Now that hes conquered the spectre of Silva - for now - the real hard work has just begun. Weidman is still undefeated, and if he can maintain his current form and pace he has the opportunity to have his name listed amongst the all time greats of our young sport. To build his legacy, hell have to defend the belt against what may be the toughest middleweight division the UFC has ever seen.
This is a real murderers row of contenders, and Weidman cant overlook a single one. These are the 7 fighters who pose the biggest threat to Weidmans crown.