Yahoo Sport 
Chris Weidman Intends to Make a Statement by Finishing Vitor Belfort
Middleweight champion Chris Weidman (12-0) hasn’t fought since July 2014. Injuries have kept the titleholder on the shelf, but he returns at UFC 187 on May 23 against top 185-pound contender Vitor Belfort (24-10).
The 30-year-old New Yorker was scheduled to face Belfort at UFC 181 in December, but was forced out of the bout due to a broken hand suffered in training. The fight was rescheduled to headline UFC 184 in February, but a rib injury caused the champion to withdraw from that fight card as well.
Despite the time away from the cage, Weidman doesn’t believe he’ll experience ring rust on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas when he puts his title on the line for the fourth time.
“We’re in a tough sport; we’re always coming back from injuries. So it’s just like my wrestling background: you get hurt and you become stronger from it, and obviously I hurt my ribs. They healed pretty well. It healed fast and I’ve had no issues in training again with the ribs. So no, I’m not worried about any ring rust … no worries about my ribs at all,” Weidman said during a recent media conference call.
RELATED > Countdown to UFC 187: Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort
The two were originally slated to headline UFC 173 in May 2014, but Belfort withdrew from the scheduled bout after the Nevada Athletic Commission banned the use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in February 2014. The Brazilian was prescribed the controversial regiment and needed time for his body to adjust.
“Given the time constraints involved between now and my proposed next bout in May [2014], I have determined not to apply for a license to fight in Nevada at this time,” the Brazilian said in a statement prior to UFC 173.
Belfort is riding a three-fight winning streak, but he hasn’t competed TRT-free since the ban went into effect. He’s finished his last three opponents by knockout, but two of them, Luke Rockhold and Michal Bisping, consider the former light heavyweight champion a cheater due to his use of TRT leading up to and during their fights.
Despite the previous use of TRT potentially contributing to Belfort’s recent run to the top of the division, Weidman still believes “The Phenom” deserves the UFC 187 title shot.
“I think he deserves it. You watched his last three fights. He knocked out three different studs, three top guys in the world,” said the middleweight champion. “Then he went through everything he went through, took all his time off. People have started to forget about that, but no, he deserves it. He’s a very dangerous opponent and I’m prepared for that.”
Weidman plans to be “trickier” than his more experienced opponent. He believes that’s his key to victory against Belfort.
“Just like any other fight, I’ve got to go out there and win. I’ve got to outsmart him. It’s a physical game of chess and when he thinks I’m going to do something, I’ve got to do the opposite. It really comes down to who’s going to be trickier and win that match. So that’s really what it’s going to come down to,” said the undefeated champion.
Weidman’s not just looking to retain his belt, he’s looking to make a statement and finish Belfort.
“My goal every time is to separate myself in the division and make a statement for the world, prove to myself where I think my abilities are, prove to my coaches what they think. So I’m coming to this fight to make a statement. I’m doing this fight to look for a finish.”
