UFC on FOX 2 Results: 5 Things We Learned About Chris Weidman

If making weight on 11 days' notice wasn't enough, Chris Weidman went on to upset former middleweight title contender Demian Maia in the main card opener for UFC on Fox 2.

Weidman was awarded the split decision after a mildly entertaining three-round scrap.

The loss for Maia has to be tough, but for the division as a whole, it's a good thing Weidman was able to pull out the victory.

With Anderson Silva's reign of terror still looming, it's always nice to see fresh talent rise up and enter the contender's bracket.

The bout against Maia was only Weidman's second time appearing on a UFC main card. Is he a mainstay attraction at middleweight or a one-hit wonder?

Here are five things we learned about Weidman.

1) Incredibly Underrated

There were very few people giving Weidman a chance against Maia.

Can you blame them?

Weidman had only been featured on a UFC main card once prior to the event, and that bout was against Alessio Sakara in March 2011. Talk about flying under the radar.

Weidman is a well-rounded fighter with the ability to contend in every aspect. If he was underrated entering the bout with Maia, people are certainly taking notice now.

2) World-Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Some were shocked by Weidman's decision to take Maia down and attempt to pass perhaps the most dangerous guard in all of MMA.

Those familiar with Weidman's grappling experience tend to point back to his All-American collegiate wrestling background and 2009 ADCC performance against Andre Galvao.

Weidman was defeated by Galvao, but he proved that he had the grappling prowess to hang with the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu artists in the world.

Once again, he showcased a stellar top game in controlling Maia and staying aggressive.

3) Tremendous Heart

Most fighters wouldn't accept a fight with Maia period.

Weidman took the fight on 11 days' notice. The weight cut proved to take a toll on Weidman's cardio in the later rounds, but he was able to battle through the pain and secure the upset.

It showed a tremendous amount of resilience and poise on Weidman's part to maintain such a great sense of composure against a veteran like Maia.

4) Top 10 Middleweight

The win over Maia should move Weidman into the Top 10 middleweight rankings.

Regardless of the cardio meltdown, his performance deserves respect. In a post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani, UFC president Dana White praised Weidman's toughness in taking a bout against such an elite-level opponent on short notice.

It may not have been his best performance, but at UFC on Fox 2, Weidman proved that he deserves a spot in the middleweight rankings.

5) Potential Contender?

What's next for Weidman?

Is he a legitimate middleweight contender along with the likes of Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen and Yushin Okami, or is he still a notch below those guys?

It's tough to say at this point in his career. Weidman definitely has a ton of potential, but there is more to be seen from the 27-year-old New York native.

It'll be interesting to see who the UFC decides to match him up against in his next outing. Michael Bisping would certainly make for an interesting opponent.