Chris Weidman was supposed to be the next great middleweight champion, carrying the torch after Anderson Silva. But Luke Rockhold came along and stole his thunder, along with the belt. And the beating that Rockhold put on Weidman was an announcement that the best 185-pounder in the world was right under our noses this whole time. So who should he fight next, and what would the odds be? Let’s start analyzing.
Bet on current UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Please note, these are projected odds for hypothetical fights. You can sign into BookMaker to bet on a number of currently active odds.
THE NO. 1 CONTENDER
Luke Rockhold -250
Yoel Romero +170
Romero won his title eliminator with Jacare Souza at UFC 194 to earn the nod as the next challenger. However, the contentious split decision win wasn’t entirely convincing. I wouldn’t be surprised if the UFC tabbed another contender for Rockhold’s first defense.
Still, we can’t entirely discount Romero’s seven-fight winning streak in the UFC. This run includes wins over guys like Tim Kennedy, Lyoto Machida and Ronaldo Souza. But the Cuban’s habit of gassing out by the third round makes him a marked man against an elite conditioned athlete like Rockhold.
Romero’s power is dangerous, but he falls far short in the skills department to the champ. I personally think that he’d be a walking target against Rockhold, who would pick him apart after his gas tank inevitably empty.
ANOTHER GO-ROUND
Luke Rockhold -170
Chris Weidman +150
Weidman’s loss to Rockhold was the first of his career. Prior to that, he ran roughshod over elite opposition like Demian Maia, Mark Munoz, Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort. And when it comes to the eyeball test, Weidman appears to be the most well-rounded contender of the pack.
In terms of physical tools, “The All-American” is perhaps the one fighter who is the equal of Rockhold. He is quick, powerful and has a world-class wrestling base. Now that he’s gone a few rounds with Luke, he can make adjustments. Given how competitive the first round was, the next fight could be a lot closer.
PAYBACK TIME
Luke Rockhold -300
Vitor Belfort +450
Luke Rockhold does not like being part of Vitor Belfort’s highlight reel. The Brazilian ruined his UFC debut in spectacular fashion with a spinning heel kick that sent the former Strikeforce champion reeling. What’s notable about that fight was that Belfort had a TRT exemption from the UFC, which has since been banned from competition entirely.
Since then, Rockhold has been vocal in his opinion that Belfort was, and is, a cheater. He has made it clear that he wants revenge, and an angry Luke Rockhold is something I’d be fascinated to watch. With Belfort’s win over Dan Henderson at UFC Fight Night 77, the Brazilian remains a contender, meaning this matchup is still a credible bout.
BET ON UFC FIGHTS NOW
Bet on superfights, slugfests, title fights and more with BookMaker Sportsbook. You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today!
