UFC 194: 5 keys to victory for Luke Rockhold

Breaking down what Luke Rockhold must do to take Chris Weidman’s middleweight title at UFC 194.

The main event between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor might be getting all of the attention but don’t be surprised if the co-main event UFC middleweight title bout between Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold steals the show at UFC 194 on Saturday, December 12, 2015.

Once, the UFC middleweight division was a barren wasteland ruled by the iron first of Anderson Silva. For over six years Silva held the title, racking up a UFC record 10 consecutive title defenses. Then at UFC 162 Weidman shocked the world, knocking Silva out in the second round. Almost instantly the division went from being boring to being one of the most intriguing and competitive divisions in the UFC today.

Since winning the title Weidman has defend his belt against some of the most respected fighters in UFC history and at UFC 194 he will be looking for his fourth consecutive title defend. As talented as Weidman is and as dominant as he as looked up until this point, he is facing a huge test in the form of Rockhold.

A former Strikeforce middleweight champion and a two-time IBJJF Wold Jiu-Jitsu Champion, Rockhold has been a force of nature as of late. After getting stopped in his UFC debut by a TRT using Vitor Belfort Rockhold has rattled off four straight victories; winning all four by way of stoppage.

Weidman has been a tremendous champion thus far but Rockhold has more than enough weapons in his arsenal to take the title and hand the champion the first loss of his career.

Here are five keys to Rockhold getting a victory over Weidman and being crowned the new middleweight champion.

Next: 5. Set the Tone