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 end an ugly series of conflicts against Kelvin Gastelum.
The remaining portion of the card features several interesting fights for some hardcore fans. Keep an eye on Jimmie Rivera vs Thomas Almeida, which has serious fight of the nighttime possible.
Weidman (+140), the former UFC middleweight champion, is in need of a triumph in this bout to prove that he belongs among the division's elite. 'The All-American' is a pressure-based fighter at the striking game who'll push ahead behind a stable, if occasionally loose jab. Weidman likes to throw kicks and he will do so at all three levels with a taste toward the midsection. The largest problem is that his propensity to move in a straight line, both backward and forward.
This stress helps Weidman push his competitor to the cage in which he could start to perform his grappling game. He will throw varied attacks in the clinch and this will help open his wrestling. A former D1 wrestler, Weidman's takedown technique is smooth and he also uses it both defensively and offensively. Once he is on the mat, then you can really see Weidman shine with his combination of wrestling ability and his black belt in BJJ.
Gastelum (-170) gets the speed and aggression in the striking department to help conquer his size disadvantage . He overwhelms his opponent with quantity and will always probe with his jab. He is primarily a boxer in the standup match but his feet are only as dangerous due to his speed and motion. Combining this strain together with his ability to keep his lead foot on the outside makes Gastelum lethal on the toes.
Gastelum's athleticism assists greatly in his wrestling match, as his takedowns are largely based in an opportunistic explosion. That doesn't assist with his shield, as he's far from the top defensively. Gastelum has always had difficulty against high-quality wrestlers which could only grow given the leap up to middleweight.
This is an intriguing fight for the future of the 185-pound branch. The division is deep with talent however only one of these two fighters could be looked at elite moving forward. That being said, Weidman and Gastelum are both likely two wins away from a title taken with the branch being so congested.

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