UFC 194 results: Luke Rockhold dominates Chris Weidman to win middleweight title

LAS VEGAS – Another belt travels to American Kickboxing Academy after Luke Rockhold dominated Chris Weidman to secure the UFC middleweight title.

Rockhold (15-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), a former Strikeforce champion, shut down Weidman’s (13-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) wrestling and took dominant position to earn a near-stoppage in the third round before a TKO stoppage at the 3:12 of the fourth frame.

The middleweight title bout was the co-main event of today’s UFC 194 event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Rockhold was carted around the cage by AKA teammate Daniel Cormier, the UFC’s light heavyweight champion, after his win.

“I knew if I got on top control, I believe I’m operating on a different level than everyone else,” said Rockhold, ranked No. 2 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA middleweight rankings and an honorable mention on the pound-for-pound list. “I’m just bummed I got tired so early.”

Rockhold said he suffered from a staph infection and cellulitis before the biggest fight of his career. When a flurry of brutal elbows did not end the fight in the third round, he said he sucked it up and continued on despite his exhaustion.

Weidman, ranked No. 1 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA middleweight rankings and No. 4 on the pound-for-pound list, wasted little time in pushing for a takedown, catching an overhand right before climbing on Rockhold’s back. Unable to hold the position, the champ was forced to quit searching for a choke. He would get another takedown, but struggled when Rockhold trapped his neck on a takedown attempt and threatened another choke.

Rockhold inched ahead in the second frame, denying Weidman takedowns while punishing his body with kicks and punches. The former Strikeforce champ did more of the same in the third until Weidman caught him off guard with a punch combination that set up a takedown and brief control. When Rockhold escaped, the two traded body kicks and hooks inside. This time, it was Rockhold shooting for a takedown. On the mat, he advanced to back control and then mounted the champ with less than a minute to go.

He pounded on Weidman unimpeded for nearly 30 seconds, loosing elbow after elbow onto the camp’s face, yet referee Herb Dean did not stop the bout. When the round ended, Rockhold raised his hands in victory, but the fight was not over. Weidman bled from a cut over his left eye.

With the championship Rockhold charged early and was denied when Weidman grabbed the fence. But he redoubled his efforts and got his opponent to the mat, where he worked ground and pound without much defense coming his way.

Dean called off the bout when Weidman’s condition worsened from the damage he was taking.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 194 results include:

• Luke Rockhold def. Chris Weidman via TKO (strikes) – Round 4, 3:12
• Yoel Romero def. Ronaldo Souza via split decision (29-27, 28-29, 29-28)
• Demian Maia def. Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
• Max Holloway def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Urijah Faber def. Frankie Saenz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Tecia Torres def. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Warlley Alves def. Colby Covington via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:26
• Leonardo Santos def. Kevin Lee via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:26
• Magomed Mustafaev def. Joe Proctor via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:54
• Yancy Medeiros def. John Makdessi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Court McGee def. Marcio Alexandre Jr. vs. via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

For complete coverage of UFC 194, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan and Steven Marrocco contributed to this report on site in Las Vegas.)