5 keys to victory for Chris Weidman at UFC 194

May 23, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chris Wiedman (red gloves) celebrates after knocking out Vitor Belfort (not pictured) during their middleweight championship bout during UFC 187 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Weidman won via first round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 28, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chris Weidman (red gloves) and Anderson Silva (blue gloves) fight during their UFC middleweight championship bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Weidman won. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Gain top position

Both fighters will look to gain top position when the fight hits the mat. Weidman needs to stay on top.

Rockhold is 6’3” and is one of the bigger middleweights in the division. Having Rockhold land on top generally means that the IBJJF gold medalist will immediately look for guard passes. If Weidman finds himself on his back, he’ll be in huge trouble.

Weidman is a bully on the ground, making minced meat of his opponent’s guard. He did that against Belfort and Lyoto Machida easily. If he scores a takedown and falls into the guard of Rockhold, he will likely be able to pass that guard despite the fact that Rockhold is the better fighter off of his back.

Weidman needs to use his weight to his advantage to maintain top control. The New York Native often walks around well above 200 pounds before his fights, and has the ability to grind Rockhold down. He also possesses arguably the nastiest ground and pound in MMA today. All of those tools should be used to his advantage.

The strategy is simple for the undefeated middleweight king. Get on top and stay there until you ear a submission or a knockout. Rockhold has a tough chin, but it’s not one that Weidman can’t crack with the vicious ground strikes that he is so well-known for.

Next: 1. Do what got you to the dance

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