A rowdy rematch and tantalizing trilogy! My UFC 199 Preview.

Although its main card features several highly anticipated bouts, the pinnacle of UFC 199 is the next chapter of an ongoing feud as newly crowned middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, aims to insulate his gold against seasoned UFC veteran, Michael Bisping.

"We trained (together) before, and I made mincemeat out of him." The controversial statement boldly made by Michael "The Count" Bisping, prior to his first fight with Luke Rockhold, which caused a contentious issue between the middleweight greats. As the two are unexpectedly set to square off for the second time this weekend, the stakes have certainly been raised as Bisping is finally awarded his long awaited first UFC title shot, and Rockhold is seeking to defend his title for the first time since becoming middleweight champion last December.

Rockhold and Bisping face off ahead of their title fight.
Credit: MMAJunkie

Although both Rockhold and Bisping respect each other’s technical abilities inside the octagon, the pairs strident feelings towards one and other have certainly not shifted in any means. With over five hours of fight-time and the most significant strikes landed in UFC history, Bisping believes it is now his "destiny" to go on and claim his first ever UFC title, whereas Rockhold on the other hand believes it's Bisping's destiny to "be his little bitch." Commonly known for his high punching volume and constant endurance, a two week training camp has made Bisping aware of the fact that if the fight does go five rounds, he will "slow down." A contrast to many of his previous bouts, Bisping has stated he will be looking for the first round finish, something in which he has not achieved since UFC 85 back in 2008.

For Bisping and the world of UFC, this title shot came around in a way which most never expected. Originally, it was former middleweight champion Chris Weidman who was expected to face Rockhold in yet again another rematch, as Weidman looked to recoup his middleweight belt in which he lost to Rockhold at UFC 194. However, a freak neck injury forced Weidman to withdraw from the rematch with the only man who put a loss on his MMA record, and it is now Michael Bisping who is in the crosshairs of Luke Rockhold.

Moving on to a feud which has lasted almost a decade. Two Californian boys with a lengthy history behind them attempt to settle the scores this Saturday night, in what promises to be an epic trilogy to an enraged rivalry, when top tier bantamweights Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber meet again inside the octagon.  

Cruz will be looking to emulate his previous performance, in which he claimed UFC gold after returning from a two-year layoff to beat TJ Dillashaw via split decision in January. With Dillashaw only landing a mere 26% of his significant strikes in that fight, Cruz feels he will make Faber miss even more as his "over hand-rights and guillotine chokes" are predictable to say the least. For Faber, an unconvincing win at UFC 194 over Frankie Saenz has not left him short of confidence coming in to this title fight. "I'm a get the strap" Faber said positively at the UFC 199 media day. 

Standing at one a piece, there are no arguments made to Urijah's submission win over Cruz in the first fight. However, Faber feels the second fight in which Cruz won via unanimous decision at UFC 132, was not as one-sided as the result shows. "Even Dana said I won that fight" Faber protested when talking to Ariel Helwani on Tuesday's 'The MMA Hour.' Previous results aside, both Cruz and Faber will be looking to put on a powerful performance in order to gain bragging rights and put a marker on the feud for once and for all.

A heated exchange between Dustin Poirier and Bobby Green
Credit: MMAJunkie

The Forum in Inglewood hosts a myriad of other magnificent match-ups on the main card of UFC 199 this Saturday night. Cuban knock-out artist Hector Lombard makes his middleweight debut as he takes veteran and future hall of famer Dan Henderson. A heated match-up at lightweight occurs when Bobby Green, who returns from almost two years out, hopes to put an end to Dustin Poirier’s winning streak at 155. All in all, this UFC 199 card has some great match-ups from top to bottom. Could we see two new UFC champions crowned on the night? Or will Cruz and Rockhold begin their triumphs as kings of their divisions?

 UFC 194: In Pictures

Conor McGregor embracing his travelling Irish fans before his title fight.

Jose Aldo pacing his way to the octagon to defend his belt.

The devastating, precise left hand from McGregor which handed Aldo his first loss in 10 years.

The notorious is victorious.

The now former champ Aldo is left heartbroken from losing his belt in just 13 seconds.

Luke Rockhold landing some brutal ground and pound, in his title fight with Chris Weidman.

Referee Herb Dean comes to Weidman's rescue, and Rockhold is crowned the new 185-pound champion. 

Rockhold poses with his training partners, including the current 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier.

Yoel "Soldier of God" Romero delivers some shots on the ground to Jacare Souza.

Much to Jacare's disappointment, Soldier of God celebrates a split decision victory.

BJJ veteran Demian Maia embraces a battered Gunnar Nelson after a dominant performance.

Hawaiian native Max Holloway proudly raises his states colours after his win over Jeremy Stephens.

All pictures were sourced from: http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/12/12/10014696/ufc-194-photos#5245547

UFC 194: Luke Rockhold ends Chris Weidman's reign to claim Middleweight gold.

Luke Rockhold was "surprised" referee Herb Dean didn't come to Weidman's rescue at the end of round 3, and so were most people watching.

Rockhold's Rejoice.

Luke Rockhold is on cloud nine. He has proved all his doubters wrong, and has finally showed his huge skillset to the world of fight fans. Not to mention that he scooped up the 185-pound belt in the process. The nasty infection of cellulitis couldn't even disturb him from coming into this overwhelming opportunity. Now let's not be silly here. When the name Chris Weidman comes to mind, you instantly think of his outstanding wrestling ability, gritty determination and strong mind-set. Not wheel kicks. Ultimately the downfall of his own performance, the wheel-kick that Weidman threw in that third round was the cause of an onslaught of ruthless ground and pound that Rockhold was about to inflict on the former champ. Not to say that if that lethargic kick wouldn't have been attempted by Weidman that Rockhold wouldn't have put an end to Weidman's unbeaten streak, but it certainly helped.

Rockhold's vicious strikes which almost finished the fight.

New champs and fights to make.

Rockhold now joins Werdum, Lawler and Cormier as former Strikeforce fighters who currently claim UFC gold. In addition to this, the triumphs of Rockhold and McGregor on Saturday night mean there has now been seven new UFC champions across all weight classes in the year of 2015. Who'd have predicted that? And if you did, I bet it was certainly not in the fashion that it occurred. 

So what next? What fights can we put together from this shockingly surreal co-main event at UFC 194? Well, with Yoel Romero winning an extremely tight split decision over Jacare Souza prior to the co-main event of 194, calls all already beckoning for Rockhold vs. Romero in the first quarter of 2016. However, it may not be that simple, as the most recent man to beat Rockhold, Vitor Belfort, has already called him out on Instagram saying "you're still spinning" from Rockhold's 2013 KO loss to Belfort. For Weidman however, an instant rematch against Rockhold is not the case. Being thoroughly outclassed by Rockhold means Weidman will most likely have to fight the likes of Jacare Souza, or maybe even Tim Kennedy before earning another title shot. Rumours were occuring that Weidman had broken his foot in his bout with Rockhold on Saturday, but the x-rays were negative. So like Rockhold, he could potentially fight again in the first quarter of 2016. The unpredictability of the middleweight division just seems to continue in the UFC.

Rockhold embraces his emphatic win, whilst Weidman is left devastated.