Weidman: Loss to Rockhold was 'needed & deserved'
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman isn't making any excuses for Saturday's loss to Luke Rockhold at UFC 194, but he promises that he will return to reclaim the belt.
Weidman fell to Rockhold by TKO in the fourth round after a grueling battle for more than 15 minutes in the cage together.
The loss was the first in Weidman's professional career and he explained in his first statement since the fight that many things went wrong against Rockhold, but it's a lesson he'll never forget.
"I will remember this moment forever," Weidman wrote on Instagram. "It has already changed me for the better. The motivation I have inside myself has never been stronger. I did not feel like myself in there for many reasons but it was a loss that I needed and deserved.
"I have been playing back different moments in the fight where I didn't do or react the way I should have but this was all part of a true master plan that God has in store for me."
Weidman started the fight strong by putting Rockhold down on the ground and outwrestling him through the first round. From that point on the momentum shifted until the third round when Rockhold put Weidman on his back and opened up a barrage of strikes that nearly brought an end to the fight.
Weidman was allowed to continue, but he soon ended up in the exact same position in the fourth round. At that point referee Herb Dean saw enough, stopped the contest and declared Rockhold the winner by TKO.
The loss came in Weidman's fourth title defense after taking the title from Anderson Silva in 2014 and then beating the longest reigning middleweight champion in UFC history a second time later that same year.
Falling to Rockhold promises to serve as the ultimate motivation for Weidman to get back in the gym and work to get better and come back stronger.
He guarantees this isn't the last time he'll be wearing a UFC title around his waist.
"I will be back and I will be champion again," Weidman wrote. "I just wanna let everyone know that I am OK. I am so blessed with an amazing family, friends, team and fans. Thank you all so much for the support. It means more now than ever."
Following the fight, Weidman was medically suspended until at least Feb. 11. He must have both feet X-rayed and cleared by a physician or he could face up to a six-month suspension before being allowed to return to the Octagon.
