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UFC 194: 5 keys to victory for Luke Rockhold

By Robert Gardner

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Apr 18, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Lyoto Machida (red) and Luke Rockhold (blue) fight during their middleweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Prudential Center. Rockhold won via second round tap out. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Lyoto Machida (red) and Luke Rockhold (blue) fight during their middleweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Prudential Center. Rockhold won via second round tap out. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Set the Tone

All Weidman has done since winning the UFC middleweight title is lay waste to all in his path. Between his stellar wrestling, advanced submission game and his knockout power Weidman is 4-0 against former UFC champions.

Weidman is going to be coming in to UFC 194 extremely confidant and unless that confidence is shaken early he could ride that wave of success to another victory. Rockhold needs to come out and bring the fight to Weidman; he needs to put Weidman on his heels.

Throughout the course of his career Weidman has been the hammer. Rockhold needs to show him what it is like to be the nail. Rockhold can’t allow Weidman to settle in and set the tone. He needs to bring the fight to him and force Weidman to fight a defensive minded fight.

Weidman thrives on being the aggressor; being the fighter who is coming forward. Putting him in a defensive mode early would take Weidman out of his comfort zone. It’s hard to score takedowns are land combinations when your opponent is forcing you to go backwards.

Rockhold get wait and just let the fight come to him. If he wants to become the champion he has to go out there are take what it his. Rockhold needs to set the tone early and he needs to make an immediate statement.

Next: 4. Varied Striking Attacks

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