UFC 199: Who should replace Chris Weidman after pulling out of Luke Rockhold title fight?

Michael Bisping could be in the running to face the middleweight champion in two weeks' time

Michael Bisping is in the mix to replace Chris Weidman and fight Luke Rockhold (Getty)

The UFC injury bug could well be back. Chris Weidman is that latest fighter to pull out of a high-profile main event fight and his injury marks the 15th main or co-main event change to the UFC calendar so far in 2016. Weidman has pulled out of four scheduled UFC championship fights within the past 25 months and with only just over two weeks for the UFC to find a replacement anything could happen at such short notice at UFC 199.

One of the most likeliest candidates in the running to get the nod is the UK's number four ranked 4 middleweight Michael Bisping. 'The Count' is riding high off the biggest win of his career having beaten Anderson Silva back at UFC London in February. Prior to that, Bisping had also picked up wins over CB Dollaway and Tales Leites and has put himself in the strongest position of his career to demand a title shot having spent so many years in and around the top of the middleweight division.

Unfortunately for Bisping, two things do weaken his claim and could put him at a disadvantage compared to other likely candidates. Firstly, it's been well documented that he is currently filming for the next xXx film which would imply he's not been in the proper training required for a title fight. Secondly, he was defeated quite convincingly by Rockhold back in September 2014 at UFC Fight Night Sydney which is enough for some to say that he shouldn't rematch him at all. Bisping does have one of the better claims for the title shot but it's by no means straight forward.

One man who will run Bisping close for the title shot will be Jacare Souza. Jacare was last in action only last weekend at UFC 198 when he defeated Vitor Belfort in brutal fashion. After totally dominating Belfort for four and a half minutes, Souza finished his man scoring a TKO with the referee stopping the fight. Prior to that, Souza had won eight of his last nine fights with wins over the likes of Chris Cammozi, Derek Brunson and Gegard Mousasi.

Like Bisping though, Jacare is another man who Rockhold has beaten previously, however, this was in much more controversial circumstances and Souza to this day maintains he won the fight. Another factor that may also see Souza get overlooked for this fight is his recent loss back in December to Yoel Romero. Many say the Brazilian was unlucky to have lost a split decision that evening but a loss is still a loss and many are clamouring for a rematch between the two as the next step for both men.


 Bisping beat Anderson Silva at UFC London in February (Getty)
 (Getty Images)

The man who could surprise everyone and get the shot at Luke Rockhold is Uriah Hall. Hall was expected to compete last weekend at UFC 198 against Anderson Silva but unfortunately was left without an opponent after Silva pulled out of the fight late last week. Hall has beaten some impressive opponents of late including Mousasi but he's another with a recent blemish on his record having lost to Robert Whittaker in his last bout.

Hall's strongest claim for the shot is that fact that he is another that is 'fight ready', however, another factor to consider is the fact that he turned down fighting a late replacement himself last week in Brazil. It's likely that didn't sit overly well with the UFC brass so that could well hit his chances of coming in as a late replacement.


 Chris Weidman (right) has pulled out of UFC 199 
 (AP)

At this point in time and this late in the day, the UFC could well spring a surprise and bring in a fighter totally from the cold to face Rockhold at UFC 199. Total outsiders in the conversation would be the likes of Derek Brunson or Mousasi, who are scheduled to meet at UFC 200.

Another option could be Whittaker who has put five recent wins together himself though many would consider him way too green and a few fights off a title bout.

The three strongest options no doubt have to be Bisping, Souza or Hall. If I was a betting man I would place my chips on Souza but don't ever rule out 'The Count' finally getting that much-deserved title shot - his time could be now!