The UFC sets up shop in Long Island, New York for the first time in history That weekend for UFC on Fox 25.
The main event features a fascinating middleweight conflict with New York native Chris Weidman trying to end an ugly string of conflicts against Kelvin Gastelum.
The rest of the card includes several interesting fights for some hardcore fans. Keep a watch on Jimmie Rivera vs Thomas Almeida, which has serious struggle of the nighttime potential.
Weidman (+140), the former UFC middleweight champion, is in need of a win in this bout to prove that he belongs among the division’s elite. ‘The All-American’ is a pressure-based fighter at the game who will push forward behind a stable, if sometimes loose jab. Weidman likes to throw kicks and he can do this at all 3 levels with a preference toward the midsection. The largest issue is that his tendency to move in a straight line, both backward and forward.
This pressure helps Weidman push his opponent to the cage in which he could begin to work his grappling game. He will throw diverse strikes in the clinch and this will help open up his wrestling. A former D1 wrestler, Weidman’s takedown method is eloquent and he uses it both defensively and offensively. When he’s on the mat, you can really see Weidman shine with his mix of wrestling ability and his black belt in BJJ.
Gastelum (-170) gets the aggression and speed in the striking department to assist conquer his size disadvantage . He overwhelms his opponent with quantity and will constantly probe with his jab. He is primarily a boxer in the standup game but his feet are just as dangerous due to his pace and motion. Combining this pressure with his ability to keep his lead foot on the exterior makes Gastelum lethal on the toes.
Gastelum’s athleticism assists considerably in his wrestling match, as his takedowns are mostly based in an opportunistic explosion. That will not assist with his shield, as he is far from the top defensively. Gastelum has always had trouble against high-quality wrestlers and that may just grow given the leap up to middleweight.
This is an intriguing fight for the future of the 185-pound branch. The division is deep with talent however only one of both of these fighters can be considered elite moving forward. That having been said, Weidman and Gastelum are both likely two wins away from a title shot with the branch being so congested.
Read more: thefootballconcepts.com