WEID’ RIGHT
L.I. native ends skid at Coliseum
Long Islander Chris Weidman got his stumbling career back on track Saturday night by submitting Kelvin Gastelum in front of an ecstatic home crowd at the Nassau Coliseum at UFC on FOX 25.
Fighting in front of 11,198 rabid fans just a stone’s throw from Hofstra University, where he became a two-time All-American wrestler, Weidman (14-3) used his 6-foot-2 frame to smother the smaller Gastelum during the main event.
Though they both made the 185-pound weight limit, Weidman repeatedly rag dolled Gastelum to the mat, and in the third round he took the younger man’s back before sinking in an arm triangle choke. Gastelum tapped at 3:45, snapping Weidman’s three-fight losing streak.
“What’s up Long Island!” Weidman screamed in the cage after the victory. “I’m baaack!”
Gastelum (13-4-0, 1 NC) gave Weidman a gigantic early scare when he landed a huge left hand as time ticked down in the first round. Weidman, who is from Baldwin, dropped to the canvas, but grabbed Gastelum’s leg and was saved by the bell.
“I wanted 30 more seconds and I could have finished the fight. But these things happen,” the 5-foot-9 Gastelum said before admitting that size was the difference. “He felt really big. He felt really strong.”
Heading into Saturday night, Weidman was at a crossroads in his career. After twice defeating the legendary Anderson Silva, Weidman built himself into a 13-0 middleweight champion who was considered to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Then the wheels came off and he lost three straight times, starting with losing the title to Luke Rockhold in December 2015.
But by defeating Gastelum, Weidman firmly re-established himself in a packed middleweight division that still includes Silva, Rockhold, interim champion Robert Whittaker and champion Michael Bisping.
“It feels like I won a championship,” Weidman said.“It feels good to be back where I deserve.”
“I’m the champ, I’m the best in the world and I think everyone knows that,” he continued. “If Bisping grows some balls … I’m ready to go. Whoever the people want to see me fight, I’m in.”