Weidman (photo) will face Belfort in May. Photo: Reproduction
Usually acidic when he comments on his fight before Vitor belfort for the UFC middleweight belt, Chris Weidman adopted a respectful tone when speaking about the Brazilian in a recent press conference. The champion of the 84 kg division of Ultimate recognized the dangers presented by the “Phenomenon” and highlighted that he will prepare diligently for the fight, which will be the co-main attraction of UFC 187, on May 23rd.
See too
“I have a lot of respect for him. The more I watch his fights the more I know that he is dangerous, he has a lot of weapons that I will need to prepare myself for. I'm taking this fight very seriously. I can't lose, and he's another tough guy that I'm going to face in the Octagon to make my dream of continuing to grow come true,” said Weidman, UFC champion since July 2013.
Recently, the fight between the two was postponed twice, both times due to an injury to the champion. In the last of these, Weidman injured his rib while, according to his own words, doing a basic wrestling move. “I was training wrestling, in a situation that was under control. I went to do a position that everyone has done a million times and it happened. It was strange, I don’t know how it happened, but I don’t have a bad conscience.”
The fight between Weidman and Belfort would take place at UFC 184, last weekend. The North American, who attended the event despite his injury, admitted to feeling strange about the situation, but assured that he will take advantage of the period away to improve. “It was a little strange going to the gym without being in my best shape. But everything happens for a reason. I'm on a card with Jon [Jones] and Anthony [Johnson], so Vitor and I are in a good position. But I feel good. I can already do some things, even though my rib is not 100% yet. I will be able to transform myself into a better athlete during this period away”, he concluded.
[vox id=”29423″]
Comments