After Chris Weidman decisively beat another high-profile challenger in Vitor Belfort at UFC 187 last Saturday, the question is, who’s next in line for the UFC’s middleweight kingpin. One month earlier at UFC on FOX 15, two worthy challengers emerged: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Luke Rockhold. The latter is currently placed number one in the UFC’s official rankings but UFC president Dana White is still unsure on which one of both fighters will get his shot next.
“I don’t know what the hell they’re doing, but it’s guaranteed that that’s my shot,” Rockhold told MMAjunkie after UFC 187 last weekend. “It’s happening. They’ll be a date locked down soon. We’re fighting. I talked to Dana, and we got some things coming.”
Rockhold beat former middleweight title challenger Lyoto Machida via submission at UFC on FOX in April. On the same night, Jacare defeated late replacement Chris Camozzi with an armbar. The Brazilian is currently ranked lower and lost to Rockhold four years ago in Strikeforce, so for Luke, there’s no question that he should get the next opportunity to face the champion.
He weighed in on Weidman’s performance against Belfort, who he lost to in his UFC debut in 2013, and gave a prediction on a potential fight against him.
“Chris did what I thought he would do; I thought he could come out there and dominate. I was worried about the initial steroid burst. Vitor always has that, and then he breaks. He broke, and it was what I thought. Chris has got heart. He took shots well, covered up and fought back and did what he always does.”
“The guy is a tough-ass dude,” Rockhold said, but also explained, why he would have the advantage over Weidman. “I think I’m better on the ground, and I think I’m better on the feet. I think this becomes more of a standup fight. Chris is tough, technical and he hits hard. But I’ve got more finesse. I’ve got more footwork and more weapons. You’re going to see a great fight.”
Weidman recently stated that he’d rather face Rockhold for his next title defense, and that he would love to make the fight happen in the first-ever UFC event in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. MMA is still illegal in the state of New York, however, the UFC has a date blocked in the MSG for December 5.
“That’s a long time, but it’s a big stage, and it’s something worthwhile waiting for,” Rockhold said. “I would prefer something closer. I think September, there might be a date here (in Las Vegas). Maybe we could turn it around quick and like I said, I could give (Weidman) that rematch (in New York).”