The UFC sets up shop in Long Island, New York for the first time in history this weekend for UFC on Fox 25.

The main event features a fascinating middleweight conflict with New York native Chris Weidman looking to finish an ugly series of fights against Kelvin Gastelum.
The rest of the card includes some interesting fights for some hard-core fans. Keep a watch on Jimmie Rivera vs Thomas Almeida, which has serious fight of the nighttime potential.
Weidman (+140), the former UFC middleweight champion, is in need of a win in this bout to prove that he belongs among the division’s elite. ‘The All-American’ is a pressure-based fighter at the game who’ll push forward behind a steady, if occasionally loose jab. Weidman likes to throw kicks and he can do this at all 3 levels with a taste toward the midsection. The biggest problem is that his tendency to move in a straight line, both backward and forward.
This pressure helps Weidman push his competitor to the cage in which he could start to work his fighting match. He’ll throw varied strikes in the clinch and this will help open his wrestling. A former D1 wrestler, Weidman’s takedown technique is eloquent and he also uses it both defensively and offensively. When he is on the mat, then you can really see Weidman glow with his mix of wrestling ability and his black belt in BJJ.
Gastelum (-170) has the speed and aggression in the striking department to assist conquer his size disadvantage at middleweight. He overwhelms his opponent with quantity and will constantly probe with his jab. He is primarily a fighter at the standup game but his feet are only as dangerous due to his pace and movement. Combining this pressure with his ability to maintain his lead foot on the outside leaves Gastelum lethal on the toes.
Gastelum’s athleticism helps considerably in his wrestling match, as his takedowns are largely based in an opportunistic explosion. That doesn’t help with his shield, as he’s far from the top defensively. Gastelum has had trouble against high quality wrestlers which may just grow given the leap up to middleweight.
This is an interesting fight for the future of the 185-pound division. The division is deep with talent but one of these two fighters can be looked at elite moving forward. That having been said, Weidman and Gastelum are likely two wins away from a title shot with the division being so congested.

Read more: bostonbruinsfans.com