Chris Weidman (pictured) will challenge Anderson Silva

By Joshua Molina

It’s about time.  Anderson Silva will step into the cage to battle Chris Weidman in July.  It’s a big fight for a lot of reasons.

Silva gets a lot of criticism for fighting so infrequently and picking opponents that are good matches for his fighting style.  In Weidman, Silva gets a young, rising star.  He’s undefeated at 9-0. He’s a former two-time NCAA Division I All-American.

Weidman’s  the next generation. Silva is, of course, the favorite. But it’s nice to see Silva step in the cage with a young prospect, rather than, say Stephan Bonnar, or Vitor Belfort.  Even though he won, Silva didn’t do so well against another wrestler, Chael Sonnen.

Can a younger, stronger, more powerful and more diverse Weidman do what Sonnen couldn’t?

Who knows. But it’s great to see Silva in there with young talent.  If he gets by Weidman? Next stop should be Luke Rockhold, another young stud.