There was a time when Chris Weidman was considered the best middleweight in the world. However, his career took an unexpected turn. He encountered such a bad stretch that he had to resort to moving up a weight class. Despite all this, the unwavering confidence inside him is still present. So much that he believes he can give the current 185-pounds champ, Israel Adesanya, a tough time inside the Octagon.

The former champ, while talking to MMA Fighting, revealed that he plans on staying at Middleweight in the future. His brief run at 205-pounds saw him getting knocked out at the hands of Dominick Reyes. The former All-American, however, still believes that he can make waves at Light Heavyweight. It’s just that the sample size of Octagon time is very less at the weight class. Hence, he sees staying at Middleweight the logical way out.

“I’m going to go back to 185, where I already know there’s a lot of questions.”

With five losses in his previous six Octagon appearances, Chris Weidman is in no position to call the shots. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t point out how he can be a bad matchup for the present champion. The New York native said that while he defeated Anderson Silva twice, Adesanya could only win a close decision years later.

“I just think matchup wise, everything is about matchups, and I think I’m a bad matchup for him,” said Adesanya. “A guy who could get him down and control him. I’m very dangerous with submissions as well and knock him out at the same time. I would love to get that opportunity, and right now I’m far away, at least in my eyes. I’ve got some serious work to do. But that is the end goal.”

Chris Weidman heaps praise on Israel Adesanya; says he can be the best Middleweight of all time

Anderson Silva is one of the first names that come to mind when talking about Middleweight greats. Silva’s claim to the throne would have been much stronger had it not been for Chris Weidman. The latter put an end to one of the greatest UFC title runs of all time when he knocked out “The Spider”. Subsequently, Weidman has his fair bit to contribute regarding who should be counted in a Middleweight great.

“I don’t know if he [Israel Adesanya] is going to be beating Anderson Silva’s record or anything like that, but I think he’ll be looked at as a guy who’s like a legend in the sport when it’s all said and done – at least in the middleweight division,” Weidman added.

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More often than not, a fighter in the UFC is as good as his last fight. Apart from his win against Kelvin Gastelum, there is nothing good in Weidman’s last six fights that can get him close to a title shot. Hence, he is willing to work his way towards it. Furthermore, he knows that a win or two against good contenders will make his name relevant again.

“That’s the game we’re in because the low’s the low – you know,” Weidman said. “Nothing you can do now. These guys think you suck because you lost a fight. When you win, you’re the man.

“But you’re always looking forward, because even a win, you’ll have your haters. It’s always your turn to shut them up. It’s the sport we love.”

Weidman was booked to fight Jack Hermansson in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City. However, “The Joker” couldn’t make it to the USA on account of travel restrictions imposed in his country.