UFC 194 Luke Rockhold TKO Chris Weidman New UFC Middleweight Champion

Luke Rockhold left Chris Weidman bloodied and bruised as he ripped away his UFC middleweight title in dramatic fashion. After a close first round, the challenger gained the upperhand in the second and was within seconds of winning in the third. The fight was allowed to continue but Rockhold kept his composure to finish the job and inflict a first career defeat on his opponent. Weidman and Rockhold opened trading low leg kicks and feeling each other out. Weidman was able to get Rockhold’s back and Rockhold spun towards the cage. Weidman wrapped his legs and locked them around Rockhold’s waist to put all his weight on Rockhold. Rockhold tried to shake Weidman off, and almost threw him off to the right but Weidman managed to sneak into a triangle attempt but Rockhold got up and pressed Weidman against the cage with an undertook. Weidman got the take down and briefly gained side control, but Rockhold defended and got back to his feet. Weidman landed a big knee to the body. Rockhold managed to get ahold of Weidman and got him into a guillotine that was rather tight but Rockhold’s legs weren’t in ideal position to finish Weidman off. Referee Herb Dean stood the fight up rather controversially. Rockhold rocked Weidman with a punch early, but Weidman managed to escape along the offense and get out of trouble. Rockhold threw a couple of head kicks, but Weidman blocked them with his arm. Weidman went for the clinch and got double hooks but let go and got a kick from Rockhold across the back shoulders. Rockhold landed a big right to Weidman’s chin. Weidman through a big swing and missed and Rockhold came back with some punches of his own but didn’t land any. Rockhold took a kick to the body and seemed hurt but escaped danger. Rockhold controlled the majority of the way, and it seemed like he had it won in the third round when he mounted Weidman and delivered a flurry of punches and elbows that bloodied the champ. Weidman again took the fight to the ground in the third stanza but Rockhold manoeuvred himself back to his feet. It was then his turn to complete the takedown - the first in Weidman's UFC career - but his efforts to secure the choke went unrewarded. Rockhold did however spend the final minute raining down a torrent of punches from top position on Weidman's bloodied face. Final Result: Luke Rockhold def. Chris Weidman TKO (strikes) – Round 4