The UFC Signs Chris Weidman to Face Alessio Sakara at UFC on Versus 3
by Scott Haber on Feb 14, 2011 4:59 PM EST
in UFC News
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After recent news that Alessio Sakara's opponent for the UFC on Versus 3 card, Rafael Natal, had gone down with an injury as did Sakara's first scheduled opponent, Maiquel Falcao, Heavy.com has confirmed that the UFC has signed a blue-chip prospect to step in and face Sakara on three weeks' notice:
Heavy.com has confirmed that Team Serra-Longo trained Chris Weidman will replace Natal.
Weidman is undefeated with a 4-0 record and will make his UFC debut against the American Top Team trained Sakara.
Weidman was recently ranked #2 in Leland Rolling's World MMA Middleweight Scouting Report right here on BloodyElbow.com. The New Yorker's grappling prowess can't be denied, as he defeated Ryan Bader and Phil Davis in wrestling competition while at Hofstra University as a two-time D-1 All American. Weidman has also excelled in BJJ competitions as a purple belt under Matt Serra, including his performance at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling tournament where had had his coming-out party against grappling phenom, Andre Galvao, in a match that saw Galvao eventually win by points, but not before Weidman had Galvao in trouble with several submissions and some highight-reel throws.
Weidman will be facing a whole different beast in Sakara, who's known for his striking prowess, but Weidman himself has ended two of his career victories on first-round strikes, including a fight against highly-touted striker, Uriah Hall. There's not yet been any confirmation about the Sakara-Weidman bout remaining on the Versus-televised main card, but we'll keep you updated when any news breaks right here at Bloody Elbow.
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WHOA
Great signing and sick fight, but it might be early for Chris to make it in the UFC. He could turn this into a wrestling match, though, so I’ll give him a chance here. But man, where does he go with a win? Interesting development..
"I can be friends with anybody. Man. Woman. Cat. Dog. Fish..... Alien." -Rampage
by Charles Awad on Feb 14, 2011 5:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
If he turns it into a wrestling match then the fight has already been won
Sakara isn’t the world’s greatest fighter on the ground.
Fire Gus "What's a screen?" Bradley.
4-0?
Way too green to be fighting somebody like Sakara.
I here you, but Serra will have him prepared with a game-plan to survive.
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This is the part where Sakara now gets injured, right?
I hope this isn’t on the main card. Stevenson/Castillo should get TV time or Koch/Swanson.
Fire Gus "What's a screen?" Bradley.
Fun fact: Chris Weidman does situps while listening to live acoustic
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by TooLegitToQuit on Feb 14, 2011 5:50 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
FUCK YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome Chris Weidman!!!!!
Nothing but RESPECT for Matt "The Terror" Serra
http://gotmma.org/ - Korean MMA blog
Maybe it's just me.
But this guy sounds like no joke. Beating Ryan Bader AND Phil Davis in a straight wrestling competition? That’s incredible.
"I guess I'm 13-Maynard, and Maynard..."- Frankie Edgar
and his got some incredible power in his hands too
glad to see him in UFC
Nothing but RESPECT for Matt "The Terror" Serra
http://gotmma.org/ - Korean MMA blog
great news although as many have stated it may be a bit too early
but if he wins it will be huge for him.
"How do you shoot the devil in the back? What if you miss?"
lol i was like where i have heard that name before O yea
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i like this
sakara’s no joke, but this kids a really really good prospect with the tools to win
should be a fun fight
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"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
Weidman via GnP!
Nothing but RESPECT for Matt "The Terror" Serra
http://gotmma.org/ - Korean MMA blog
Sweet!
With Bellator and Strikeforce swallowing up more prospects now I love it when the UFC goes after these guys with huge potential. This reminds me of the Phil Davis signing, but Sakara is a tough first fight. I think Weidman will tie Sakara in knots, though.
Why are people thinking Sakara will be a very tough match-up for Weidman? In my opinion, Thales Leites beat Sakara in their fight. Since then, Sakara has only fought James Irvin – who is now out of the UFC.
Leites has slightly better stand-up, but Weidman destroyed Uriah Hall in the first round.
InStrength dot com.
Sakara has been hot lately.
He’s got experience and his best weapon is Weidman’s weakness (not that he’s been outclassed on his feet, but he obviously prefers the floor). Plus this is Weidman’s UFC debut. This is a very tough draw for a guy who is 4-0 making his UFC debut.
I dont like this move honestly, sad, this kid is a blue chip prospect in the MW div, imo the best prospect in teh MW div going forward, the sad thing is he takes this fight on short notice and lets be honest, with the roster space the UFC has I honestly wouldnt be shocked if he lost and they cut him.
Maybe they feel he is a top prospect, short notice so they give him another chance but I think its a bit to early for him.
He would be better off winning some more fights in ROC, get to like 7-0 and wait for a MW season of TUF and be on it.
I guess its a great chance for him, he wins this fight he will be a top prospect for the UFC going forward.
I’m in agreement with the waiting stuff, except the TUF part. Weidman’s good enough to get a contract on his own, and not be locked down by the uber-restrictive TUF contract, whether he won it or not. If this is the way in, I guess he’d be crazy not to take it.
Still a Beer Monster.
http://www.instrength.com
They may have wanted to let him develop more but been forced to accelerate the process when they had to scramble for an opponent for Sakara. Three weeks is an awfully short prep time, he may have been the only fighter who jumped at the offer. Not a bad deal for Weidman either. Some great potential for exposure if he fights well, and Dana and Joe Silva seem to show favor on guys who bail them out last minute.
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