New UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold beat Chris Weidman everywhere. He out wrestled “The All American” taking him down for the first time. He outstruck Weidman, leaving his face with a couple of pieces gone. And he utterly dominated the Jiu-Jitsu.
In short, that night, Luke Rockhold was the better man.
So what’s next? Should Weidman get an immediate rematch? Should Yoel Romero get a title shot after his split decision win over Jacare Souza? And who does Rockhold really want?
At the post-fight press conference Rockhold went over some possibilities.
“I know he’s a tough guy, yeah. I think he’s a cut above technically and obviously toughness,” said Weidman, as transcribed by Luke Thomas for MMAFighting. “But like I said, I wasn’t joking when I said that before.
“I really believe I’ll have the advantage everywhere this fight goes every time. I think he’ll come back, but I’ll put him right back down.”
“I got a lot of respect for him, but these guys aren’t competing with me. I don’t see anybody out there. “
What Rockhold really wants is revenge on Vitor Belfort. Rockhold’s first fight in the UFC was vs. Belfort in May of 2013. The poster child for the now prohibited Testosterone Replacement Therapy won his spinning head kick KO. And Rockhold had been the defending Strikeforce champion.
What I would like, why not? Vitor Belfort on a silver platter, said Rockhold, as transcribed by Mike Bohn for MMAjunkie. I got to right my wrong. What can I say?
However, the former world wrestling champion Romero is now on a seven-fight win streak, and his fight Saturday night was billed as a title eliminator.
I love Yoel,” said Rockhold. “He’s a very slick cat, but he better work on his cardio. Yoel had a so-so performance, but it was a little iffy. I respect the guy, and he’s very tough, but is that (win over Souza) credible?
I’m in for a big fight; I want a big fight. The middleweight division is in a weight place now. We’ll see what happens, and we’ll see what the boss wants. I want a big, big fight. I’ll leave it at that.
A big, big fight might be elusive. As much as Rockhold wants Belfort, “The Phenom” only won one since losing to Weidman, taking out an aged Dan Henderson. It will take a lot of stirring up the fans to make that one happen. It appears more likely right now that Romero get the shot.
