Chris Weidman overcomes his toughest UFC challenge by defeating former number one middleweight contender, Demian Maia, by split decision with only 11 days notice.
For all three rounds, Demian Maia and Chris Weidman fought a close battle. Each elite grappler kept the fight standing and exchanged blows, with neither showing a significant advantage. Weidman, however, landed each take down he had attempted that may have tipped the scale in his favor over the former title contender.
CHRIS WEIDMAN
“I took this fight on very short notice. My friends and family said I was crazy, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. To be able to fight a top contender like Maia on FOX was incredible. Walking out of the Octagon after a fight like that with a ‘W’ was exactly what I wanted to accomplish. I showed everyone and myself what I am capable of. This win puts me pretty far up the middleweight ladder and right in the mix with the rest of the top fighters.”
DEMIAN MAIA
“I went in there and traded with him to give the fans a good show. From a strategy standpoint, I should have taken him down more and used my Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This was a tough fight between two very tough guys. I tried my best to win this fight, but I will be back in the gym soon to continue improving myself.”
