7 Threats To UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman's Crown
4. Luke Rockhold
The former Strikeforce middleweight champion was supposed to run riot through the UFC when he made his debut at at UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold, instead he was welcomed into the octagon by the greatest spinning heel kick Vitor Belfort has ever thrown, which knocked out Rockhold in the very first round. He rebounded with an impressive first round wins of his own over Costas Philippou and Tim Boetsch, and has now re-established himself as a contender in the middleweight division.
He has a total professional record of 12-2 and has stated that he wants to avenge his loss against Belfort with a rematch. Rockhold vs. Belfort 2 isnt set in stone yet, but UFC matchmakers will have to give him a highly ranked opponent since Rockhold seems primed and ready to make a run at the UFC middleweight championship.
On paper, Rockhold matches up well against Weidman. Both men are grapplers who also have punching power, but while Weidman has the edge in wrestling, Rockhold is a bonafide submission master. A potential match-up would be intriguing, to say the least.