Weidman vs Romero rumored for UFC 205 in NYC

Chris Weidman’s dream of fighting at the fabled Madison Square Garden, just 20-some odd miles from the home he grew up in on Long Island, appears to be coming closer to reality.

Fansided is reporting that Weidman and Yoel ‘Soldier of God’ Romero are being rumored to fight at UFC 205 at the promotions debut event in the Empire State. Weidman has been very vocal throughout the years of legalizing mixed martial arts in New York and eventually fighting in Madison Square Garden where many of the all-time boxing greats put on their best performances. From Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier II to Joe Louis vs Rocky Marciano, Madison Square Garden has been host to boxing’s biggest fights under the city’s brightest lights.

Now, with mixed martial arts legalized and regulated in New York State, the UFC will finally crack into the New York market, and hometown fighters like Weidman can fulfill their dreams of fighting in their home state.

Romero will be coming off of a six month USADA suspension, which was shortened from the original two year suspension he was initially given

“The substance has a label with a bunch of stuff on it,” Romero’s manager Malki Kawa said during an episode of The MMA Hour back in February. “None of that is illegal to take. What he got popped for is not on the label. So it’s obviously not his fault that he popped for this.”

Romero added at the time: “My whole entire life, I’ve trained very hard. I abstain from a lot of stuff in life. To reach not just the world title, but also to maintain my family. If I would have committed what they’re saying, I’m running the risk that I can’t support my family. I think more about my family than I do a title. I’m conscious that if I take one of these supplements, they’re going to catch me.”