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Weidman: UFC wants me to fight Anderson Silva

ESPN staff
July 17, 2012
ESPN UFC Podcast

Chris Weidman claims he is the "nightmare" opponent for Anderson Silva, and believes the only obstacle to him getting the next title shot is whether the champion accepts the fight.

Weidman improved his undefeated MMA record to 9-0 on Wednesday with a dominant win over Mark Munoz. The second-round stoppage was a real eye-opener, for the sheer simplicity that Weidman dealt with his rival.

Boasting a wrestling base, the ability to change levels, and a relentless submissions game, Weidman seemingly has the tools to attack Silva's perceived weakness: Ground defence. Now Weidman is waiting to see if Silva will duck a fight with him in the near future.

"I think I'm a stylistic nightmare for Anderson Silva," Weidman told The MMA Hour. "A lot of these guys, I see them go on record basically saying, 'I'd just love a shot at Anderson Silva to see how I'd do.'

"I'm not in here to just to able to share the cage with Anderson Silva. That's not my goal at all, I'd be far from content with that. I'm going in there to beat Anderson Silva. And to finish Anderson Silva.

"My manager has talked to [UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva and all of them. And supposedly they actually really want me to fight Anderson. The question is, will Anderson fight me?

"I think that's what it's coming down to. When is Anderson going to be ready to fight again? That whole thing. Anderson Silva's making so much money in Brazil right now, he's chilling.

"He's making so much money outside the ring, I don't know if he's so jumpy to jump in there with a guy who's young, hungry, who's a bad match-up for him on paper like me, and who's name is not [as lucrative as] a Chael Sonnen at this point."

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