Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Chris Weidman is confident he can finish challenge Vitor Belfort whether the fight stays standing or goes to the ground.

Despite the fact that Belfort is known for his fast hands and Knockout power in both hands and feet, Weidman's last challenger, Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida, offers words of assurance for the champ's skills.

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Machida had said that Weidman's standup skills are ready for Belfort, and that his ground game is also as skilled.

Machida, visibly excited at the possibilities of the fight, also says that Belfort can end the fight with one punch. However, he adds that the challenger's best chance for winning the belt is in the first round, with Weidman's winning odds rising after the first round.

Weidman is on a tear in the middleweight division, remaining undefeated with a total of 12 wins with three coming by submission, five coming by KO and TKO, and the restvia unanimous decision.

His last three fights saw him topple former champion Anderson Silva twice and a brutal five-round war with Machida.

Belfort on the other hand has been on a three fight winning streak after losing his bid for the light heavyweight title against Jon Jones.

All three since then - against Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold, and Dan Henderson - have come by a vicious knockout or technical knockout.

Recently, Belfort tested positive for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). He was placed under suspension. Soon after, the Nevada State Athletic Commission allowed him to fight in Vegas for his title fight with Weidman.

Weidman and Belfort are stepping into the octagon at UFC 181 on Dec. 6.

TagsChris Weidman, Vitor Belfort, UFC