OTTAWA, Canada – Chris Weidman’s pain became Michael Bisping’s gain when an injury allowed the Brit to step up on short notice and knock out Luke Rockhold to capture the middleweight title at UFC 199.
Weidman lost the title to Rockhold (15-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) when he was stopped by TKO at UFC UFC 194. The bad blood between the fighters was bubbling once again before the fight fell apart and Weidman (13-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) watched Bisping (29-7 MMA, 19-7 UFC) win the title from the sidelines.
After having surgery to repair a neck injury, Weidman attended UFC Fight Night 89. Speaking to MMAjunkie, he explained the odd feelings associated with watching Bisping’s shocking upset.
“It was definitely a weird feeling. it was hard to watch,” Weidman said. “It was one of those things because I was still freshly injured and not over the fact that I wasn’t fighting. I wanted that fight so bad. Then, for the way it happened, I never imagined in a million years that Bisping was going to go out and do that. But, man, it was kind of bittersweet. It was exciting to see Rockhold get humbled a little bit, but at the same time, it was upsetting that it wasn’t me. I was also kind of happy for Bisping. The guy put his time in and had an opportunity thanks to me. He went in there and made the most of it. So, I was happy for him too. It was definitely a crazy experience for me.”
After his stunning victory, Bisping continued trash-talking Rockhold, including talk of holes he saw in his opponent’s game.
Weidman said he saw holes in Rockhold’s game he wanted to exploit as well, but because he didn’t have the opportunity, was unwilling to expand on the similarities to Bisping’s strategic approach.
“I planned on fighting Luke and planned on finishing him,” Weidman said. “There’s things that Bisping was saying that we saw and planned on capitalizing on, too. It’s hard to talk like that when Bisping got the knockout and I’m here with a cut on my neck. So, I’ll save the talk until I get my next fight.”
The UFC will hold their first card in Weidman’s home state of New York on November 12. He said he views that event, which will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as his return date.
While he’d like a shot to regain his title, Weidman said he’s aware he may be passed over in favor of Dan Henderson.
“I’ll be at Madison Square Garden waiting for whoever wants it,” Weidman said. “Bisping doesn’t want it. You know, it was my title shot and he had the opportunity because of me. Now he’s trying to fight the thirteenth ranked guy in the division. It’s good for him. Good for him, man. Fight anybody you want. He’s trying to get a ‘W’ under his belt. Hey, if he can make it happen, good for him. I’m not going to cry about it, honestly.”
View full post on News | MMAjunkie