Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Decoding the UFC Middleweight Division

Finally! The People’s Red Head has come back to The Weigh-In!


I want to open this article in a little different fashion than usual. I want to thank screen name Latino Heat for sending a box full of what appeared to be her previously worn panties to The Weigh-In. While I did not personally get to enjoy them, our own Matt Ward and Luis Cortes are still huffing them at the time of this article is being crafted.


Let us now discuss and decode the UFC’s Middleweight Division. We all know that Rockhold lost to Romero at UFC 221. Before we go any further, I will not listen or read fan mail talking shit about Rockhold. Let us not forget that Rockhold was supposed to fight Robert Whittaker for his belt at UFC 221, but Whittaker had to drop out due to injury. However, once Whittaker was forced off the card due to injury, Rockhold decided he would not sit around and wait for his title shot. Instead, Rockhold decided to allow a very dangerous Yoel Romero to step in for Whittaker. It is this attitude that has propelled Rockhold to the top of the sport, so The Weigh-In will not entertain shit talk about someone who never shies away from a fight.


All that being said, the Rockhold loss has further muddied our UFC Middleweight waters. Romero was able to K.O. Rockhold in the third round. However, due to Romero missing weight, he was not eligible to win the interim middleweight belt. Following Romero’s victory, UFC’s Dana White came out stating that Romero will fight Whittaker for the title next.


That leaves us all to wonder what the hell will Luke Rockhold do? The middleweight division is a mess. Everyone will remember that Bisping took over a year to defend the title and then lost it to St-Pierre, only to have St-Pierre retire immediately after obtaining the middleweight belt.

If Romero and Whittaker are to square off for the belt, there is no shortage of opponents for Rockhold. Rockhold declined an earlier offer to fight Derek Brunson, as he felt Brunson is not on his level. This statement from Rockhold may be true, but perhaps he will decide to show everyone. Another viable option is a matchup against Kelvin Gastelum, who is coming off a big 2017. Gastelum defeated Bisping by knockout and is set to fight Ronaldo Souza at UFC 224. A win over Souza would arguably put Gastelum in middleweight title contention. It may be that Gastelum and Rockhold fight for a chance at a title shot.

Another option may be that Rockhold and Weidman have a rematch. This is a fight that Weidman has wanted since suffering a stoppage loss to Rockhold. While I think Weidman would need another win or two before challenging Rockhold, stranger things have happened in the UFC. I am not sure how many fans would get excited over a Rockhold vs. Weidman rematch. Give us a shout out at The Weigh-In and let us know who you think Rockhold should fight next!


People’s Red Head Out!



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