Chris Weidman has his sights set on a former champion.
Weidman (16-7 MMA, 12-7 UFC) returned to the win column with a unanimous decision win over Bruno Silva at UFC on ESPN 54 – a TKO finish which was later ruled a unanimous decision after instant replay showed Weidman poking Silva in the eyes twice before dropping him.
Albeit the controversial ending, Weidman would like to go back to fighting more notable names in the middleweight division.
“I think I want a big name,” Weidman said on the “Believe You Me” podcast. “I went with Bruno Silva – not a big name. I think it’s time to step up and have a fun fight that people want to see and people know me and him.
“Bruno Silva, they didn’t really know his name, and I had no right to pick my opponent. Not that I’m really going to be able to pick my opponents, but if it was up to me, I’d have a bigger name, a fight that means a little bit more with a win.”
Michael Bisping previously suggested Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC), and former champion Weidman is all in for that idea. Strickland is currently booked against Paulo Costa in the UFC 302 co-main event on June 1.
“I would love that fight,” Weidman said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for Strickland. I think it would be a fun buildup. I think he would bring me out of being such a nice guy. We could trash talk a little bit, have some fun. I would love that fight. I like his style. I like that he pushes the pace. I like to push the pace. He likes to get guys tired, so I’d like to test myself against a guy like that.”
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