Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman is back in the win column.
On Saturday, Weidman headlined a UFC on FOX event against fellow middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum.
Early in the fight, Weidman got dropped and was in trouble, but the former champion recovered and dominated the next round. In round three, Weidman managed to get Gastelum to the ground and finished the fight with an arm triangle.
This fight ended a three-fight losing streak for Weidman. He was previously coming off losses to Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero, and Gegard Mousasi.
This also marked the first middleweight loss in Gastelum’s UFC career. Even though he lost on Saturday, Gastelum is still one of the top contenders at 185 pounds.
Many of the UFC’s top fighters were in attendance or watched the fights from home. Below, you can see how fighters reacted to Weidman submitting Gastelum in a must-win fight.
This best version of Chris Weidman beat Gastelum 7+/10 times. If a broken version of him shows up he losses 99/100
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) July 23, 2017
Chin might be gone
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) July 23, 2017
Damn so how do you score that round?!? I'd give it to Kelvin #ufcLongIsland
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 23, 2017
That defended submission may have triggered some doubt in Weidman's mind. This is where you cornermen become an asset or a liability.
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) July 23, 2017
This is the #90sEra. My boy Kelvin looking like a beast!! #NewGeneration
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) July 23, 2017
1-1 going into the 3rd #weidmanVSgastelum #UFCLongIsland
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 23, 2017
Are body punches illegal on Long Island Weidman? #UFCLongIsalnd
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) July 23, 2017
Weidman looked like his old self #UFCLongIsalnd
— Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) July 23, 2017
Head and arm, whaaaaAt?! #UFCLongIsalnd
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) July 23, 2017
Wow Weidman gets that W.
— Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) July 23, 2017
Nice! #ChrisWeidman This is huge for him in his career right now.
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) July 23, 2017
#strongisland #UFCLONGISLAND @ChrisWeidmanUFC ??????
— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) July 23, 2017
What a rebound….Long Island going crazy. @UFC
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) July 23, 2017
What a fight. Weidman vs gastelun. Congratulations to the both. Great performance. All the respect. Oss
— THALES LEITES (@thalesleites) July 23, 2017
Great performance by Weidman!! So happy for him!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) July 23, 2017
Kelvin has an amazing chin & finished R1 well but Chris Weidman had a fantastic round 2 and submission to get the job done. HUGE win!
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 23, 2017
Weidman looks like Wediman of old. Great bounce back from 0-3 and to do it in his hometown thats got to feel amazing.
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) July 23, 2017
That a boy @ChrisWeidmanUFC !!!! Great performance!!! #UFCLongIsalnd
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) July 23, 2017
