Weidman: I believe I could finish Robert Whittaker

[La Paix]

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has been calling for the next shot against current titleholder Robert Whittaker. According to the 34-year-old Serra-Longo representative, being the “most decorated guy in the division” puts him in front of the line of current contenders.

The number three-ranked Weidman already foresees how a possible fight against Whittaker would end, since he feels that “Bobby Knuckles” actually matches up well with him.

“Obviously for me, that would be best-case scenario is to fight for the title, to fight Whittaker,” Weidman said on a recent episode of The MMA Hour (via MMA Fighting). “I feel like that’s a guy I match up really well against. It’s a guy, I’d go out there and I believe I could finish.”

Weidman sees Whittaker’s overall style as being more Karate-oriented, which for him would be perfect having Stephen Thompson on his side.

“(Whittaker’s) very tough, he’s elusive, got kind of like a karate-style background. But I have great training partners,” Weidman said. “I have ‘Wonderboy,’ who actually knocked him out. He’s a family member of mine and just based on that it gives me extra motivation not to lose to him when I’ve got my brother-in-law who knocked him out.”

Former UFC champion Chris Weidman: I believe I could finish Robert Whittaker

 

[D241]

I feel Chris 2 or 3 years ago could beat any middleweight. I just feel age and wear/tear takes its toll on fighters and makes them less as great. I think Chris is in this category of used to be able to beat Robert but now, not so much. I also feel Robert is getting old fast with all his injuries the past couple years. That being said, I guess it's possible Chris could beat him now. I'd like to see it.

 

[RaginCajun]

He has had a rough go of it in the last 3 years going 1-3. I blame Reebok...

 

[member 3289]

Whittaker knocks him out imo

 

[Sheepdog]

He shouldn't be in the conversation. The UFC has made a big mistake by developing a culture that incentivizes inactivity. Weidman is 1-3 in his last 4, including 3 stoppage losses, and will have sat out for 18 months - is this really the type of record we should be rewarding with a title shot?

Yes, the one win in that time happens to be over the guy who has actually earned his shot. But it's just juvenile logic to put any serious stock in it - you can just take it one step further and say Rockhold deserves the shot over Weidman because he beat him.

Kelvin is 4-1 in current MW run and is active on a 2-fight win streak over 2 top 7 opponents. It's silly that we would even contemplate giving Weidman the shot.

 

[Mix6APlix]

Pass that joint this way Chris.

 

[Joemacka]

Chris is way too slow to even hit Whittaker.

 

[Papi Chingon]

Under the right circumstances.