For any competitor, there is always a dream to follow. And as far as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Chris Weidman is concerned, that dream is to face Jon Jones.
Weidman seems bent on moving up to the UFC light heavyweight division to face off against 'Bone' Jones, although all that may have to wait. For now, there is unfinished business in his current weight niche — he has to take care of Luke Rockhold first.
Weidman will be defending his UFC middleweight title against the no. 1 contender in Rockhold at UFC 194 on Dec. 12. Their tiff has been added as another match to watch. The main event for UFC 194 will, of course, be the one between Jose Aldo and Connor McGregor, a match that failed to materialize in UFC 189.
Aside from putting the title on the line, Weidman will also risk his clean slate of 13–0 against Rockhold. It will be Weidman's fourth straight title defense after winning it from Anderson Silva way back in 2003.
His last defense was against Vitor Belfort whom he defeated back in May.
On the other side, Rockhold is riding on the crest of a four-fight winning streak headed into UFC 194. Rockhold is a former middleweight champion (Strikeforce) and last fought in April. He defeated Lyoto Machida.
Weidman is expected to continue his usual routine of taking down his opponent, while Rockhold is more of a stand fighter. Hence, the outcome of this one could very well be determined on which fighting style would suffice once they do get it on in the Octagon this December.
For his part, Weidman's greatest feat is of course defeating Anderson Silva twice. And from there, it seems that Weidman wants to take it up a notch with Jones possibly the next one after UFC 194.
