Is Chris Weidman the Undisputed Middleweight Champion of the World?
Fluke. Luck. Accident. All words critics and Anderson Silva apologists have used to describe the UFC middleweight champion, Chris Weidman. This is still after Weidman has beaten Silva not once but twice. With both of his victories over the former pound-for-pound king coming in bizarre fashion, it is easy for one to call into the question the legitimacy of his current crown.
Are both of his victories a result of some freak occurrence or some magic stroke of luck that now diminishes his reign as champion? The answer is an unequivocal no.
After receiving a title shot that, at the time, some deemed pre-mature, Weidman did what other UFC fighters failed to do on 16 other separate occasions, defeat Anderson Silva. Sure, he knocked Silva out as Silva was mocking and taking him lightly. But Silva mocked almost all of his previous opponents and none had the gall to knock him out. Prior to the knockout, Weidman was also very much winning the fight. He had taken Silva down, done some damage and even attempted a couple of submissions.
In their second fight, it was more of the same from Weidman. He dropped Silva with a punch from the clinch and dominated the first round from start to finish. The conclusion of the second fight was much more bizarre and unfortunate than the first but if you hear the Weidman camp tell it, it was also rather calculated. They claim to have practiced those types of leg kick checks and a leg break can ultimately be the result.
Regardless of your allegiances, as a fight fan one must give credit where credit is due; Chris Weidman is the legitimate undisputed UFC middleweight champion of the world. He has done enough to warrant the title and sit atop the middleweight thrown. If you are still one of the non-believers, Weidman will soon have ample opportunities to prove his worth as several top challengers await in Vitor Belfort, Jacare Souza, Lyoto Machida and Gegard Mousasi. Alas, heavy lies the crown as they say.
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I reside in Boston MA and am pursuing my dream of writing about MMA. I am very passionate about the sport and helping to continue its growth. Follow me on Twitter @TyGuyMMASubscribe
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