Ray Longo, the well known striking coach from Serra-Longo’s gym in Long Island, thinks he’s found the next big thing in mma right here in New York, according to MMA Fighting. That person is 26 year old middleweight Chris Weidman from Baldwin, Long Island. While only 2-0 in his professional mma career, he is no stranger to success in the combat arts. Weidman has collegiate wrestling wins over UFC fighters Ryan Bader and Phil Davis as a two-time All-American at Nassau CC and Hofstra, and qualified for the highly regarded Abu Dhabi submission championships after only weight months of jiu jitsu training.

“He’s the real deal, probably the most talented guy I’ve ever come across so far,” Longo told MMA Fighting. “He reminds me of when the UFC brought in Cain Velasquez, because his cardio is great, he’s got the wrestling pedigree, and he’s really, really good at everything.”

MMA fans will have the opportunity to see Weidman in action again this September when he takes on another highly touted fighter in Uriah Hall for the Middleweight title at Ring of Combat in Atlantic City. Keep your eye on this New Yorker!