Matt Serra: I believe Chris Weidman will be champion
Posted on July 29, 2012, 01:37 PM by Mike DrahotaFormer UFC Welterweight titleholder Matt Serra recently came to the defense of his young student Chris Weidman. Hot on the heels of his brutal TKO over Mark Munoz, Weidman has since taken his new-found spotlight to call out longtime champ Anderson Silva. He is one of several Middleweights making a case to fight the long-reigning champion, joining Michael Bisping and Tim Boetsch among others. Silva's camp has not budged on any of these challenges however, giving little thought to a fight with any of the current top contenders at 185 lbs. Regardless of this stalemate in negotiations, Matt Serra believes that Weidman can indeed finish off Silva in a changing of the guard at Middleweight. Speaking to MMAJunkie.com, Serra had high praise for the surging young contender:
"When he’s up here saying he wants Anderson Silva, he’s not doing it for just a paycheck. He’s doing it because he truly believes he can beat and finish Anderson Silva. He has the same approach to sparring, to rolling. He wants to – you want to spar with this guy, this guy’s tough – he wants to feel it. I believe he will be champion."
Strong words from a very experienced fighter and trainer. Perhaps Serra's statement should be taken lightly, but perhaps there is a bit of truth in his confidence. Believing that an aggressive, wrestling-based style is the best gameplan to defeat the seemingly untouchable Silva, Serra thinks that Weidman can not only hang with the champion but finish the fight decisively. Serra continued:
"Submission wise, he’s a freak. You’re talking about a kid who went to Abu Dhabi after six months of training, and he’s battling it out with black belts over there. He’s that good. He really is. For people to not think so, or think maybe he’s not ready, look what he’s done so far. Look at the guys who Mark Munoz fought."
High praise for the submission skills of the former collegiate wrestler continue for Chris Weidman. Some argue that Mark Munoz may have been a bit out of shape after coming back off of elbow surgery last winter, and others still may note that Weidman looked very sloppy in his unimpressive victory over Demian Maia. Regardless, Weidman is on a roll, but if Silva's camp never acknowledges the young fighter's skills, we as fans may not see the fight for some time, if ever. Who should be the next to face the legend Anderson Silva, and do they have a chance?
Former UFC Welterweight titleholder Matt Serra recently came to the defense of his young student Chris Weidman. Hot on the heels of his brutal TKO over Mark Munoz, Weidman has since taken is new-found spotlight to call out longtime champ Anderson Silva. He is one of several Middleweights making a case to fight the long-reigning champion, joining Michael Bisping and Tim Boetsch among others. Silva's camp has not budged on any of these challenges however, giving little thought to a fight with any of the current top contenders at 185 lbs. Regardless of this stalemate in negotiations, Matt Serra believes that Weidman can indeed finish off Silva in a changing of the guard at Middleweight. Speaking to MMAJunkie.com,Serra had high praise for the surging young contender:
"When he’s up here saying he wants Anderson Silva, he’s not doing it for just a paycheck. He’s doing it because he truly believes he can beat and finish Anderson Silva. He has the same approach to sparring, to rolling. He wants to – you want to spar with this guy, this guy’s tough – he wants to feel it. I believe he will be champion."
Strong words from a very experienced fighter and trainer. Perhaps Serra's statement should be taken lightly, but perhaps there is a bit of truth in his confidence. Believing that an aggressive, wrestling-based style is the best gameplan to defeat the seemingly untouchable Silva, Serra thinks that Weidman can not only hang with the champion but finish the fight decisively. Serra continued:
Submission wise, he’s a freak. You’re talking about a kid who went to Abu Dhabi after six months of training, and he’s battling it out with black belts over there. He’s that good. He really is. For people to not think so, or think maybe he’s not ready, look what he’s done so far. Look at the guys who Mark Munoz fought."
High praise for the submission skills of the former collegiate wrestler continue for Chris Weidman. Some argue that Mark Munoz may have been a bit out of shape after coming back off of elbow surgery last winter, and others still may note that Weidman looked very sloppy in his unimpressive victory over Demian Maia. Regardless, Weidman is on a roll, but if Silva's camp never acknowledges the young fighter's skills, we as fans may not see the fight for some time, if ever. Who should be the next to face the legend Anderson Silva, and do they have a chance?
Comments
Yeah I'm sure everyone who fought Silva thought they could beat Silva but then reality hit when they were being woken up in the octagon.
Bla, bla, bla.....Like you said, they have all come up short thus far.
Even if he never beats Silva, he has an excellent chance to be a champion some day. He's 10 years younger than Silva, and several years younger than most of the other top contenders at 185. I think the only other top 10 guy near his age is Alan Belcher.
True. I was gonna say, he could be champion one day when silva is gone, but alot of guys can say that. Alot of guys have said they can beat silva too...the best chance you have as history has shown us, is if he doesn't take you seriously.
He might be the guy with Anderson's number. Someone has to have it.
He is the only MW who has a chance to dethrone Silva but I would still expect the GOAT to triumph over that small chance.
Even though he didn't finish Maia it's important to remember he took the fight with like eight days notice. He still went the full three rounds under-conditioned and won decisively.
Some guy named Anderson Silva also failed to finish Maia...Only Nate Marquardt has ever done it.
people keep forgetting that, I think it is unfair, he has taken at least two fights on very short notice.
I think a full camp Chris Weidman would beat Maia but that underconditioned Weidman may have got lucky with Maia being sick fight week
Well then they both fought under less than ideal conditions, so nobody was "lucky".
What I mean is Chris took the fight on short notice so was obviously going to not be 100% and would have probably been beat by a full Maia but he was lucky Maia was sick, putting them in an even playing field
So do I.....but not just yet.
Theres a few MWs who may very well be champion but that will probably only be once Silva retires.
I would put Weidman at the front ofvthat group though.
No Sir, I believe you Matt Serra will beat Andesron Silva and be champ. :)
R. Kelly believed he could fly...and all he was able to pull off was getting busted for pissing on a 14 yr old girl :-P.
that was phuckin funny man!
I have no problem with this guy calling out Silva... He is here to become a champion so he calls out the champion..
The way it should be.
I think they misprinted the title of the article, they didn't finish it. It really said "I believe Chris Weidman will be champion.... if Anderson retires"
That beating GSP put on this idiot serra really must of ****ed up his head.
Sonnen laid out the blueprint, now we just need someone to be able to execute it properly. Weidman is probably the best chance the MW division has right now. Big, strong wrestler with good striking. Silva needs to be put on his back and pounded, simple as that. Easier said than done though....as we have seen.
Chaels blueprint worked the first time (bruised ribs in question, and roids) however...second match , A.S. got taken down first round because he came out swinging wild, opened himself up...after that, he re-grouped, and put together the plan of TDD he trained the last 2 years, and stuffed Chael, twice before the amazing spinning backfist . Thats not to say Chris cannot take him down, but still, I dont see a finish , either A.S. submits off his back, or Weidman wins via decision like Chael almost did first time. Even on his back , Silva is elusive. Rd 1 of the last match, on his back, never really got hit.
I like Chris Weidman--he has proven to be a great fighter. His striking still needs work, but his wrestling and submissions are off the charts.
I think Chris Weidman could be the MW champ one day. Either him or Belcher. Everyone said Munoz would school Weidman in striking and grappling--yet the reverse turned out to be true.
I wish Weidman could have a few more fights before taking on Anderson Silva--since the kid needs more experience--but I don't know if he will have that luxury if he keeps on winning decisively.
The only fighter at middleweight who can take him out is a focused Sonnen fighting a much smarter fight . We've seen pieces of the keys to victory , now all he has to do is pull his head out of his ass, quit the childish antics and FIGHT!!
frankly any other striker, no matter how accomplished is going to come up short