Responsible for the stand up game of Chris Weidman, Ray Longo expressed his pride in the striking showed by his pupil against Lyoto Machida at UFC 175, last Saturday. Interviewed by 6th Round, the head coach praised the performance of Weidman’s opponent and said that the UFC middleweight champion is capable of knocking anyone out in the division.
According to Longo, Weidman is “a sponge” because of his capacity for learning. The coach explained that the strategy was to cut off the octagon and punch while Lyoto was punching but not get over-ggressive. Asked if, after wins against Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida, it would be safe to say that Weidman can knock out anyone in his division, Longo stated: “That would be very safe to say, yes.”
Weidman KO’d Silva at UFC 162, one year ago, and checked a kick that broke his opponent’s leg in the rematch at UFC 168, last December. The 185-pound champion then beat Lyoto by unanimous decision after establishing a high pressure striking game and mixing in take downs nicely, being able to hold off the challenger’s rally in the late rounds.
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