UFC rumors 2016: Chris Weidman prepares for possible rematch against Luke Rockhold

Chris Weidman[ photo: Commons Wikimedia/ Peter Gordon]

Chris Weidman lost to Luke Rockhold at UFC 194 last December. The match wasn't exactly an impressive showing for the "all American," a reason why his name wasn't on the list of possible next opponents for Rockhold.

Instead, several names were mentioned ahead of him. That includes Vitor Belfort and Yoel Romero, but recent events may have opened the door for a potential rematch between Rockhold and Weidman.

Belfort has been booked for a match against Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza this May which takes him out of the mix. A match between Rockhold and Belfort would have been grand, considering the Brazilian dealt Rockhold a loss back in 2013.

So how about Romero?

 A report from MMAMania says that Romero has been suspended for failed United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) tests, which technically takes him out of the situation. Romero was someone the fans wanted for Rockhold but, apparently, that may have to wait.

So with those big names out, the door may have just opened for Weidman. But will the UFC make it official?

Rockhold doesn't seem to care on who he would face next. So that could mean he may not mind having a rematch with Weidman. That match, if made official, could take place at either UFC 199 or UFC 200 but will entirely depend on what Dana White and the UFC eventually decide on.

Either way, Weidman wants to fight soon and it seems that he is confident of getting another crack at the champ.

"He's been keeping up with the news on Yoel Romero and the just announced Vitor-Jacare fight. He's begun training for rematch with Luke Rockhold. He hasn't been told he's getting that fight yet. He says he wants to fight for it any time," says Ariel Helwani via MMAFighting.com.