Chris Weidman emptied the gas tank at UFC Vegas 6, taking down the dangerous Omari Akhmedov several times en route to a much-needed victory.
There are must-win fights, and then there are must win fights. Chris Weidman was in one of those on Saturday at UFC Vegas 6. “The All-American” once reigned as the UFC’s middleweight king, but that championship run was a distant memory in 2020. Weidman had won but a single bout in his last six fights. The losses that had piled up during that span each seemed worse than the one prior; all came by way of knockout/TKO.
A failed trip to light heavyweight didn’t cure Weidman’s woes last October, and so he returned on Saturday to 185lbs, taking on American Top Team’s Omari Akhmedov. A dangerous opponent who was looking to be the next man to separate Weidman from consciousness.
Weidman took the center of the Octagon quickly then dove for a single leg. Akhmedov avoided it then missed on a haymaker. Weidman went deep for a single leg again and got Akhmedov against the cage. Akhmedov broke free, then landed a right straight. Akhmedov then shot for a takedown that Weidman sprawled on, looking for a choke that never came. It was Weidman’s turn to shoot, and this time he completed the single leg. Akhmedov muscled his way up, then was on his back again. A pair of takedowns to start the fight for Weidman.
Weidman got caught by a counter right hand off a kick, then was taken down by Akhmedov. His back was against the cage and walked his way back up. Another takedown attempt came from Akhmedov, but Weidman defended wisely. A single leg came from Weidman that tripped Akhmedov up, but nothing more came from it. Akhmedov landed a takedown, avoiding a sweep from Weidman. Back to the feet they went, and Weidman was taken down briefly twice more before the end of the round, with his most significant strike being an upkick that caught Akhmedov on the button.
The third round started with a defended takedown for Akhmedov, but Weidman came back strong with a succesful single leg along the fence. Akhmedov worked his way up, but Weidman hit a nifty trip to get to his back. On the way up, Weidman transitioned to a leg stretch submission attempt, but then ended up taking the back of Akhmedov. They rolled into full mount for Weidman and he began working for an arm triangle. Akhmedov defended well and Weidman hit some elbows to end the round.
Chris Weidman def. Omari Akhmedov by Unanimous Decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)
