We’ve got a new 185 lb kingpin.
Luke Rockhold became the seventh undisputed middleweight champion of the world in a massively entertaining clash at UFC 194.
Rockhold v Weidman, in the run-up, remained firmly in the shadows of the mammoth McGregor v Aldo main event but, just like Lawler v MacDonald at UFC 189, the co-main event surpassed all expectations.
Weidman looked comfortable early on as he found himself coming out on top in most grappling exchanges before Rockhold loosened up with hist striking in the second, uncorking a series of roundhouse kicks to the body.
There’s a strong argument to be made that the fight could have been stopped at the end of the third round as Rockhold had sliced the then-champion’s face to bits with dagger-like elbows and crunching left hands from mount.
But Herb Dean gave Weidman the benefit of the doubt.
There was no comeback for the Long Islander though as Rockhold began the championship rounds in similar circumstances, finding himself in mount and raining down punches which forced the stoppage.
