Chris Weidman will defend the UFC middleweight title tonight in the co-main event of UFC 187 as he is challenged by former UFC champion Vitor Belfort. 
This is a fight that has been a year in the making as it has been postponed three separate times due to various reasons and they will finally meet in the octagon tonight. With all of the delays in the fight, Weidman (12-0) is just excited this fight is finally happening.
“I’m excited. I’ve been thinking about him for about a year,” Weidman said earlier this week on UFC Tonight. “I’m ready to get past him. Anderson Silva was on my mind for six years. I’m ready to run right through this guy, dominate him and make a statement.”
When it comes to the fighting style of Belfort, Weidman knows he is facing a fighter that is explosive, but would not state that Belfort is quicker than his previous opponents.
“He’s very explosive, I wouldn’t say he’s quicker than Silva and Machida, but he brings a more straight forward game, but with explosive speed,” he explained. “He was known for fast hands, now with the head kicks and spinning kicks, he’s able to mix it up. He’s definitely improved. He’s changing his game and evolving.”
With the two victories over Anderson Silva, Weidman’s career is now about legacy. He wants to completely dominate the middleweight division and prove he is one of the best fighters of all time. Defeating Belfort tonight will be another step towards proving he is one of the best and he believes a key tonight is to be in the face of Belfort.
“It’s to move forward and be in his face, be the better man and dominate him everywhere it goes. I need to make a statement to 85’ers that they don’t stand a chance against me.”