UFC 175: Weidman passes big test with flying colors

I’d never been a big fan of Chris Weidman. Until today.

Not only did he successfully defend his UFC Middleweight title for the second straight time but also won convincingly against one of the most dangerous fighters in all of MMA in former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida.

Despite wresting the title from arguably the best fighter of all time, Anderson “The Spider” Silva, and repeating over the highly touted Brazilian in the rematch, Weidman never really got the respect he deserved as a champion. His name was nowhere near the other UFC champs when it comes to accolade coming from both the fans and colleagues alike. Nobody ever mentioned him as being among the best pound-for-pound fighters today like fellow UFC titlists Jon Jones, Jose Aldo, Cain Velasquez or Demetrious Johnson.

It was perhaps due to the manner that he won both matches against Silva. The first one was mainly Silva’s fault. The long-time former Middleweight king became too cocky, fooling around for most of the fight, showing absolutely no respect to the younger Weidman. Silva paid for it dearly when he got caught by a stinging left hook that knocked him out. In the rematch, Silva broke his leg when his kick got checked by Weidman, ending the match. Both matches ended in the second round.

Weidman’s second title defense in UFC 175 on Saturday against Machida became his real big test. Although slightly favored in the Vegas odds, Weidman (now 12-0) was facing a more experienced and well-rounded fighter in Machida (now 21-5). The 36-year old Shotokan Karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belter from Salvador, Brazil and former sparring mate of Silva is a tough match-up for anyone, especially for a wrestler like Weidman. Machida is known as a real-life Karate Kid, whose style is unique among most MMA fighters. It was especially difficult to prepare against this style.

Before the fight, many wondered how Weidman would be able to engage in a stand-up battle against such a consummate striker as The Dragon. And before the fight, Machida was 2-0 since sliding down to the middleweight division, with wins over other tough contenders as Mark "Filipino Wrecking Machine" Munoz and Gegard Mousasi.

But Weidman was determined to keep the belt. From the opening round, he was the aggressor, continuously applying the pressure and pushing Machida towards the cage wall many times. Machida, a known counter-puncher, just could not find a good counter. It was a big surprise that Weidman was beating Machida in the striking game. Lyoto was too cautious, probably wary about being taken down to the mat where Chris would have the advantage being the stronger and bigger man. Machida successfully defended against two takedown attempts. But he clearly lost the round.

The second round was no different as Weidman continued with his assault. For good measure, the New York native finally took Machida down and applied the “ground and pound.” When Machida managed to stand up, Weidman caught him with some knee strikes.

Weidman continued his domination of Machida in the third round, taking the Brazilian down three times, and twice getting his back. When they got to their feet, Weidman battered Machida with crisp punches that bloodied the former champ. Lyoto looked clueless for the first time in years. He had no answers to the current champion’s offense and defense. He even looked better against Jones in their Light Heavyweight title fight.

Sensing urgency, Machida came out more aggressive in the fourth round. He knew he was down three rounds. He was more loose in the fourth and more offensive-minded. He caught Weidman with solid kicks to the body as well combinations to the face. It was the most exciting round. But even when Machida clearly won this round, Weidman was never really in danger.

Then came the fifth and final round, where a fierce combat was expected. Both fighters were willing to engage. While Machida seemed to have the upper hand in the stand up battle, Weidman also managed to land some hard punches and elbows. He also caught Lyoto with a kick to the head that staggered the challenger. Machida, in desperation mode, unleashed a barrage of strikes. But Weidman scored another takedown with less than a minute left in the match. Machida managed to free himself from Weidman’s hold and was up on his feet with 30 ticks remaining. In the last 15 seconds, Machida came charging like a bull, unloading a string of punches, elbows and knees. But Weidman was just too tough.

Weidman retained his belt with a unanimous decision over a tough challenger. This victory has certainly earned him respect across the UFC.

At only 30 years old, Chris has no plans of giving up the belt too soon. Although the division is stacked with worthy contenders like Vitor Belfort, Luke Rockhold and Silva’s protégé Jacare Souza, the former All-American wrestler has proven that he can take on the very best and come out victorious.

Weidman’s journey in MMA is nothing short of amazing. He started out just by training MMA fighters with their wrestling. He was, after all, an accomplished grappler with victories over bigger and decorated wrestlers as Phil Davis and Ryan Bader, who are both in the Top 10 rankings in the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division. But he fell in love with MMA and entered the sport professionally only in 2009. He was undefeated since then with wins over other headliners like Munoz and Demian Maia.

Meanwhile, UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey just gets better by the day. In the co-main event of UFC 175, the “rowdy” one disposed off another first-rate challenger in Alexis Davis in just 16 seconds of the very first round. Davis was no pushover, coming into the fight with eight victories in her last ten fights including three straight wins. Alexis was a real threat to Rousey being a black belter in both Japanese and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and a former amateur Muay Thai champion. But it didn’t matter. The 27-year old undefeated champion immediately caught Davis with some combinations plus a knee to the mid-section, followed by a judo throw that slammed her opponent hard to the mat. Davis was defenseless on the ground as Rousey threw her weight on Alexis and held her neck before peppering her with at least nine punches, forcing the stoppage.

Ronda looked so good I bet she could hold her own even against unranked male fighters in lighter divisions. She has no competition right now in women’s MMA.