5 UFC fighters who spoke out against matchmaking

#4 Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman

Chris Weidman is currently recuperating from a nasty leg break he suffered against Uriah Hall earlier this year, and his UFC future hangs in the balance. During his prime, 'The All-American' enjoyed a storied career that saw him clinch the UFC middleweight championship and defend it three times.

But when Michael Bisping was booked to fight Dan Henderson in the Englishman's first title defense, Weidman was not pleased. He branded the UFC's matchmaking "a joke", and it wasn't hard to see why.

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While there was a sense of poetic justice to Bisping fighting Henderson, who had knocked him out many years ago, the latter was ranked 13th in a division stacked with talented, more deserving fighters. Apart from Weidman, fighters like Gegard Mousasi also hit out at the UFC's decision.

Weidman never entered the title picture again, so his frustration now seems even more justified.

#3 UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush

In February this year, surging lightweight contender Beneil Dariush fought Diego Ferreira in a close fight that ended in the former's favor.

Following the win, which extended his winning streak to six, Dariush uncharacteristically called out Dana White and the UFC for not giving him a top-five opponent. The Iranian said in the post-fight interview:

“I’ve got to say something, this is really bothering me. Diego should have fought a top-five guy. I should have fought a top-five guy. We have tough win streaks. We fought everybody. We never say no to anybody. But instead of giving us a top-five guy, Diego I still think he deserves a top-10 guy. I’d feel a little disrespected if I was Diego. I know I feel a little disrespected.”

Dariush later apologized for his call-out, insisting that it was aimed at the lightweight division's top fighters and not UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby. But the damage was done then, and he received a step up in competition when he faced off against Tony Ferguson at UFC 262 in May.

About the author

Sai is a cricket journalist at Sportskeeda who focuses on listicles and features. A software developer by trade and a writer at heart, he has over 7 years of previous work experience, and always aims to aptly translate his in-depth knowledge and natural affinity for cricket into carefully crafted and well-researched articles.

Sai also has a rich history playing the sport. He has featured at the U-16 and the U-19 district levels for Coimbatore, and has also captained his alma mater Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani) Goa's college cricket team in the past.

Sai, who feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a one-of-a-kind athlete, has written over 40 exclusives for Sportskeeda based on players from different levels and age-groups. When he is not working, Sai likes to indulge in travelling, music, photography, and keep close tabs on football, basketball, MMA and F1. He harbors a dream to one day become a high-level cricket analyst and a coach.

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Edited by Sai Krishna