UFC 187 Weidman vs. Belfort: Round-by-Round Recap and Analysis

It took a good, long while, but Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort finally happened Saturday at UFC 187. And it was practically over before it started.

Belfort, looking uncharacteristically small, connected early with a punch and knee combination that wobbled Weidman. While there was a long stretch of time where Belfort was guaranteed to be able to put away a wounded opponent, his signature volley lacked the efficacy it once did.

Weidman recovered and promptly took the fight over, scoring a takedown and pounding Belfort down with strikes. At 2:53 of the first round, referee Herb Dean waved it off.

It was an impressive showing for Weidman's third title defense, but it is a fight that will likely be most remembered for Belfort's poor showing. Read on for our fight recap.

Round 1

Andre Penner/Associated Press

Early on, Chris Weidman pressed forward, precisely where he needed to keep the challenger. After circling his back to the cage, Weidman trips Belfort up, sending him stumbling and onto his back. 

Weidman charges onto Belfort, but Belfort regains his footing before Weidman can get onto him and clips him with a big punch. Weidman is on wobbly legs, and Belfort swarms onto him, landing big punches and knees.

Remarkably, Weidman slips away and returns to range, showing a cut over his eyebrow. Weidman seems to have regained his composure and locks onto a leg, turns the corner and gets Belfort onto his back. Weidman quickly gets into mount and immediately begins raining down hammer fists and elbows.

Belfort is turtling in a big way, and Herb Dean waves it off.  

A brief, but exciting, win for the middleweight champ.