I got Weidman by late stoppage in a good close fight. He was wearing Rockhold out before he threw that stupid spin kick. Without a doubt this is the highest level the MW division has ever been at.
Rockhold was dominating Weidman under every aspect of the game, apart from some good body kicks from Weidman. If he stays focused and fights cautious, he can outstrike and outwrestle him again Weidman isn't someone to sleep on, though
Rockhold didn't dominate anything, the fight was nip n tuck until the off balance spin kick. Weidman won the 1st rd on the strength of takedowns and some ground control, 2nd went to Rockhold as he stuffed Weidman's shots and was landing many hard kicks. Weidman was backing Rockhold up in the 3rd and he looked like he was fading til he capitalized off of that stupid kick.
Rockhold dominated the fight, he was well ahead on points when he got Weidman in that guillotine chocke and Weidman tapped out without anyone noticing live; and all this, only in the first round; In the second, his team suggested him to use the kicks to the body, as nothing else was working: Rockhold was easily countering and punishing Weidman's boxing, and had no troubles wrestling him; Weidman had some success with the body kicks, even hurting Rockhold for a moment, and that is when he became desperate and tried that spinning ****. But at that point, he was already mentally beaten. He already gave up in the first round, with that tapping in the chocke. And Rockhold had the flu and was on antibiotics. If he keeps his cool in the rematch, he's gonna re-school Weidman
Yoel Romero would beat both of these two. Yoel is the best fighter in the division, Rockhold is #2, Jacare #3, Weidman is #4 and after he loses to Rockhold he will be a high level gatekeeper. Weidman and Rockhold are just privileged and hyped because they're Americans and are seen as more marketable than two foreign fanatically religious old farts. That's why we're seeing this rematch. Rockhold will beat Weidman easily. Weidman is essentially just a very good wrestler, his boxing is horrible and he can't do anything from his back. Rockhold is a terrible match up for him because he's great in scrambles and will dominate the grappling exchanges, neutralizing Weidman's wrestling. Weidman was simply lucky to be in the division at a time when declining strikers like Anderson, Vitor and Machida were top contenders, he's simply a bad stylistic match up for all of them, but now the top MWs are all great grapplers with better stand up than he has. Also, after the stricter testing Weidman doesn't use roids anymore and he's a deflated version of himself now.
I couldn't agree more with this comment. Everybody forgets what was happening earlier in this fight. Rock hold was NOT dominating. The fight turned on that lame kick. I saw a Weidman interview recently where he states his foot had been broken in two places during training for the fight. No doubt Rockhold is a tough, tough opponent, but I'd like to see Weidman get the belt back. I think he's got a better shot than most think.
In the first fight Rockhold said he was not 100% from being sick , so hopefully both of them will be 100 % on fight night . Rockhold looks so much bigger than Weidman , probably better for Weidman to keep it on the outside and kick the legs of Rockhold . Rockhold's kicks to the body of Weidman were punishing , both guys hit HARD . Rockhold wins again in the rematch rd 3 stoppage
