Chris Weidman explains source of motivation ahead of pivotal UFC 210 scrap

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is currently in the midst of a 2-fight skid that saw him lose the middleweight championship to Luke Rockhold in 2015 before then dropping a 3rd round KO loss to Yoel Romero at UFC 205 in November.

Now, with Weidman’s UFC 210 showdown with Gegard Mousasi rapidly approaching, the former middleweight champion spoke to Fox Sports to explain what is motivating him going into such a pivotal fight:

“As much as you don’t want to pay attention you know what people are thinking,” Weidman told Damon Martin of FOX Sports in a recent interview. “I love being motivated by doubters. There’s definitely a lot of doubters right now who think I’m done and I’m far from done. It excites me and helps me push during every one of those workouts. Not only to become the best I can be everybody but on top to prove some people wrong, it’s an awesome spot to be in. It’s a great time.”

“This is everything. This is everything for me,” Weidman said. “This is my path back to the top or it isn’t. I need to do everything I can possible in training camp. No box is unchecked. Just do everything I possibly can. When I do that, there’s nobody who can beat me.

“I feel so good in this camp. I haven’t felt this good in a while and I’m just hoping that translates to a dominant win. I know it will. He’s a dangerous guy, he’s experienced but I don’t think he has anything for me. I think I’m going to be too much for him.”

Leading up to the fight, Weidman’s coach Ray Longo explained that his fighter plateaued quite a bit, and that resulted in his 2-fight skid.

Only time will tell if the former champ is able to return to his former glory at UFC 210.

on 4/6/2017.