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MMA > General MMA > Chris Weidman wants to finish Anderson Silva

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July 16, 2012, 04:47 PM

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Chris Weidman: I???m Not Going in There Just to Beat Silva, I???m Going in There to Finish Him
Kyle Terada, US PRESSWIRE

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By Shaun Al-Shatti - Staff Writer

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Jul 16, 2012 - Chris Weidman tried to be realistic with himself prior to last week's UFC on FUEL 4 showcase against Mark Munoz. Sure, he had bulldozed through the UFC's middleweight division up to that point, but he was young and still a relative unknown to the non-hardcore fans of the sport.

"To be honest with you, before this fight I made sure it wouldn't be a letdown if I didn't get the [title] shot afterwards," he admitted on Monday's episode of The MMA Hour. "I didn't try to think about it too much because I didn't want to start thinking, ???I definitely deserve it if I win this.'"

Thing is, even Weidman couldn't have foreseen what would come next. The 28-year-old absolutely ripped one of the best middleweights in the world to shreds, destroying Munoz in less than seven minutes, displaying an outright dominance few could've imagined. Suddenly a dance with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva didn't seem too far-fetched after all.

"I just really wanted to make a statement in this fight and that's really what I cared about, but now I'm really, really wanting a shot at the title," Weidman proclaimed. "I just think I deserve it. I want to be a young champion and I want to hold onto that belt as long as I can. I've only got one shot at this and it's not like it's my first time rushing into things. I took my first fight in the UFC on short notice. I took my first big fight against a top-five guy on ten days notice. So I'm willing to risk it, those risks have rewards."

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July 16, 2012 06:06 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 05:46 PM ET 07.16 by JimJ77 Best in the World!

Weidman wins by sub.

You always go with your heart early on, then as the fight gets closer, your head takes over.

By the time the fight gets here, you will be picking Silva.

Lets see if you prove me right.

MattUSA

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July 16, 2012 08:47 PM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:12 PM ET 07.16 by JimJ77 Best in the World!

Weidman is the superior grappler. And its not that close.

Better than Sonnen? Henderson?

MattUSA

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July 17, 2012 01:02 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:12 PM ET 07.16 by JimJ77 Best in the World!

Picking this with my head not heart. Weidman is the superior grappler. And its not that close. He will tool Silva on the mat.

Yeah, because we all know that Anderson Silva is no Mark Munoz on the ground.

Seriously, you don't even think that the Nogueira bros. black belt who submitted Dan Henderson and Travis Lutter isn't in the same league in grappling as the guy who couldn't finish Alessio Sakara?

Weidman couldn't shine Lutter's shoes in BJJ. And he never wrestled at the levels Dan did.

Even if it does turn out to be the case, there simply isn't the body of evidence out there for Chris to make such a bold statement.

Clouis_39

Addison , PA

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July 17, 2012 03:19 AM ET

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They all say they can beat/finish Silva until they are getting knocked out. Chris will get embarrassed by Silva. Silva has one of the best ground game defense in the sport. Who did Chris beat again? Mark Munoz is nothing to brag about. Mark was dropped by a kick to the face from Mat Hamill

uno2343749

Nashville , TN

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July 17, 2012 09:05 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 03:19 AM ET 07.17 by uno2343749

They all say they can beat/finish Silva until they are getting knocked out. Chris will get embarrassed by Silva. Silva has one of the best ground game defense in the sport. Who did Chris beat again? Mark Munoz is nothing to brag about. Mark was dropped by a kick to the face from Mat Hamill

Ever taken a kick to the face? Prolly drop you too, or me. Give Munoz his due at least. Not a champ but better than avg.

Zombie Gorilla

Colorado Springs , CO

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July 17, 2012 09:50 AM ET

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Weidman wants to finish Silva....so did Sonnen, and everyone else that has lost to Silva....

---Loki---

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July 17, 2012 09:52 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 01:02 AM ET 07.17 by Clouis_39

Yeah, because we all know that Anderson Silva is no Mark Munoz on the ground.Seriously, you don't even think that the Nogueira bros. black belt who submitted Dan Henderson and Travis Lutter isn't in the same league in grappling as the guy who couldn't finish Alessio Sakara?Weidman couldn't shine Lutter's shoes in BJJ. And he never wrestled at the levels Dan did.Even if it does turn out to be the case, there simply isn't the body of evidence out there for Chris to make such a bold statement.

He is getting more attention for the statement than for his fighting....and that was the goal....to get enough attention focused on him so he could move up more quickly...there are other guys that have QUIETLY won their last 5 UFC fights but they were undercard and prelim fights, they aren't in contention and few know who they are because they haven't caught anyone's attention...

---Loki---

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July 17, 2012 11:23 AM ET

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QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 11:17 AM ET 07.17 by JimJ77 Best in the World!

Yes, by far better.

Better at subs than those two maybe, but not a better wrestler.

And he's not better at BJJ than Leites, Maia, Lutter and Newton.

He is an interesting combination of good BJJ, good wrestling, good top game and a good front headlock series. He's not outstanding at any of those things.