Luke Rockhold put forth an impressive display in New Jersey on Saturday, dominating veteran Lyoto Machida at the Prudential Center before submitting him for his fourth straight victory. Now Rockhold has set his sights on the UFC middleweight title, and undefeated champion Chris Weidman, who is set to defend his belt in May vs. Vitor Belfort.
Rockhold has stepped up his competition of late, earning wins over Michael Bisping and now Machida in his last two fights. While he's improved a great deal since a loss to Belfort in 2013, Weidman cautioned Rockhold that facing him will be an entirely different experience.
"It's all about matchups," Weidman said. "He did great against Lyoto Machida, but that's not me. He's gonna have to deal with a whole different game plan. A totally different ball game."
He went on to classify Rockhold as a jack-of-all trades but a master of none. Weidman has built up an impressive list of conquered foes already, and thinks Rockhold would be in over his head.
"He is a very well-rounded fighter, but he doesn't have an expertise in anything," Weidman said of Rockhold. "I think that's going to be the problem he has to face with me. I'm a master at wrestling, I'm a master in jiu-jitsu. Striking, I'm an expert in as well. I'm the best at everything. He's in trouble."
Should Weidman get past Belfort, he may be in line for a super fight vs. light heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound king Jon "Bones" Jones.
"I wanted to clear out my division more before I finally got...I wanted that super fight with Jon Jones," Weidman said. "And that fight's going to happen at some point. I've talked with him about it face to face, and he's excited about it too."
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