This Saturday, UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman returns to the Octagon to defend his title agains Lyoto Machida. The much anticipated fight headlines one of the biggest UFC events of the year and is an important moment in the young champion’s career.

While Weidman won the title by knocking out one of the greatest of all-time in Anderson Silva at UFC 162, and defended his title via a TKO win over “The Spider” in December at UFC 168, critics remain. Some say he only won the first bout because Silva was showing off, and that he only won the second fight when Silva fractured his fibula and tibula when Weidman checked one of his kicks. This Saturday provides Weidman with the opportunity to defeat a big-name challenger, the former UFC light heavyweight Champion in Lyoto Machida, and a convincing win would have Weidman moving up the pound-for-pound rankings.

Ratish Menon and I managed to put forward a few questions to Weidman regarding his fight on Saturday, and asked him what he thought about fighting Anderson Silva for a third time once he returns to action.

Below is the exclusive interview with the UFC Middleweight champion of the world.

Up Close and Personal With Chris Weidman

Akhilesh Gannavarapu: At UFC 175, you are fighting Lyoto Machida who is pretty elusive as most of his opponents describe him to be. How are you preparing for his unorthodox style of fighting and which are the areas where you think you can score over him?

Chris Weidman: My game plan is usually simple. I like to keep moving forward and hit my opponent a lot. When I identify opportunities for take downs, I will go for them. Otherwise, the plan is to give them no chance of escaping and continue being relentless through five rounds. Machida definitely presents some unique challenges with his style, therefore I brought in UFC fighter Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson who is an expert kick boxer and has a lot of those deceptive skills. I have worked extensively with him and feel very prepared. Machida will be surprised with my relentlessness.

Ratish Menon: You were previously scheduled to fight Vitor Belfort instead of Lyoto. How difficult/different has it been to prepare for Machida? Were just a couple of months enough for your preparation, with the title on the line?

CW: I have had plenty of time. He is unique and has a different style, but I brought in Stephen Thompson to help emulate his style. He comes from a karate background, so that has helped me acclimate to Machida’s style.

AG: Normally, your game plan doesn’t involve a lot of leg kicks, but with Machida, do you think that will change?

CW: Yes, I will be looking for a lot of different things, leg kicks will definitely be one of them.

RM: Will your recent knee surgeries affect your movement and hold you back in your fight against Machida?

CW: No, my knees are back to 100%.

AG: Do you think you have an advantage over Machida going in, considering he only had two fights after dropping down to the middleweight division?

CW: I don’t think Lyoto not having the experience dropping down is going to be an issue, at least I don’t expect it to be.

RM: After the last two wins over Anderson Silva, and given the ways in which the fights ended, do you think this is the fight where you have the perfect opportunity to silence your critics?

CW: I think this is an opportunity for me to set myself apart from the rest of the division, and show them that I am going to be the champion for a long time. The critics will always be there.

AG: With the middleweight division being as strong as it is now, which fighters do you feel are snapping at your heels for a future title shot?

CW: The only person I am focusing on right now is Lyoto Machida.

RM: With Anderson Silva eying a comeback in 2015, would you be open to facing him for a third time?

CW: I would be open to it; if that’s what people want to see, then I’d definitely be open to doing it again.

AG: If the UFC comes to India in late 2014 or early 2015, what are your thoughts on fighting in India?

CW: That would be different. I have never thought about going to India in my life. But that would be pretty cool.

RM: What’s next in store for you? Are there any projects you’re currently working on outside of MMA?

CW: Vacation – after this fight; that is my number one project.

AG: What are the main things you enjoy along with being a champion, apart from the prestige and money?

CW: The appreciation, people appreciate what I do for a living. People respect what I do for a living and coming from a wrestling background, it is nice to have that.

Stay tuned for more great interviews, as we talk to MMA legends such as Cung Le, Ken Shamrock and more!

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