Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold have run-in at TUF Gym
UFC Middleweight champion Chris Weidman, left, smiles at his opponent Luke Rockhold during a UFC 194 news conference at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. Credit: AP / L.E. Baskow
LAS VEGAS — Chris Weidman rolled into the TUF Gym Wednesday night to work out for Saturday’s middleweight title defense against Luke Rockhold at UFC 194.
Same as Tuesday night. Same as Monday night. Same as last May when he has preparing to defend his title against Vitor Belfort.
Except for one thing unique to this particular night.
Rockhold had not yet left the TUF Gym.
“I guess it’s awkward, but it’s going to happen,” said Ray Longo, Weidman’s trainer. “You’re in the same hotel, you have to go to the same places.”
The banter back and forth between Team Rockhold (AKA) and Team Weidman (Serra Longo) was both playful and respectful.
And far less tense than at the UFC 194 news conference earlier in the day.
Rockhold advised Weidman to “work off your back, a lot.”
As Rockhold was getting up to leave, Gian Villante, Weidman’s training partner and best friend, playfully said, “Get out.”
The two former Strikeforce fighters embraced. As Rockhold was walking out, he suggested he should “Tonya Harding Villante.”
“It’s gonna happen,” Longo said. “I saw him when I picked up my Reebok gear. You make a joke and you move on.”
The two fighters went about their separate ways, knowing full well that their next face-to-face encounter would be far less relaxed.
And that’s just the staredowns at weigh-ins on Friday. Saturday’s fight is when the talking ends.
Mark La Monica is a deputy sports editor at Newsday. He also covers mixed martial arts.
