Chris Weidman stops Kelvin Gastelum with third round arm-triangle:

Chris Weidman's slide is no more. 

Our main event of UFC Fight Night Long Island, seen hometown hero and former Middleweight champion Chris Weidman look to bring an end to a three fight slide, against surging contender and potential future world champ Kelvin Gastelum. Losses to Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero and Gegard Mousasi as of late have tarnished 'The All American{s}' legacy, while a move to Middleweight after Welterweight struggles, have bared huge fruits for Gastelum. Travelling to Fortaleza, Brazil, Gastelum comprehensively stopped the legendary Vitor Belfort in the first round, before a failed drug test for marijuana metabolites forced a no contest. Despite the controversial outcome, Gastelum is most certainly a dangerous striker, evident from his decimating of Tim Kennedy in his early Middleweight outings. Although Gastelum may possess the better striking, Weidman will have a 6 1/2 inch reach advantage over the San Jose native.

'Big' John McCarthy was our man in the middle for this potential five round battle, with the crowd clearly in favour of Weidman. A right hand landed clean early on for Chris Weidman, with Kelvin turning Chris to the outside early. Gastelum was then taken down expertly by Weidman who shot for a clever single leg, who then rolled with Gastelum, sweeping into side control. Weidman was searching for a Kimura under the instruction of Matt Serra, before Gastelum scrambled back to his feet. A lot of hand fighting in this first round, before Kelvin really demonstrated his incredible power, unleashing a monstrous left hand dropping Weidman to the canvas, before the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the round.

Gastelum pushed the pace again at the start of the second round possibly sensing a still dazed Weidman, before the Baldwin favourite locked up another takedown, this time in the form of a bodylock. A couple more takedowns in quick succession seen Weidman rack up five altogether, as Gastelum held the fight in his full guard. According to Kelvin's coach Rafael Cordiero, both the first and second round belonged to Weidman, despite the opening knockdown.

The third round began with Gastelum once again pushing forward, landing a clean jab, before popping Gastelum with a big right hook, but Gastelum's head movement was on point. Incredible balance and athleticism on display from Gastelum as he avoided the trademark snatch single leg from Weidman, before he was eventually taken down once more by the fence. Another takedown for Weidman seen him slip to side control where he sunk in a phenomenal arm-triangle, forcing the tap from the game Gastelum in the third round.

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