As expected, UFC 199 will pit reigning champion Luke Rockhold against Chris Weidman in a rematch for the UFC middleweight title.

Word about the possible tiff has been in the air for several weeks now, heightened all the more with previously mentioned opponents dropping out due to separate cases.

Vitor Belfort was someone who made sense, seeing that Rockhold had a score to settle for a previous loss. However, any hope of that happening was nixed when it was announced that Belfort would be facing Ronald Souza for UFC Fight Night 87 for May 14 in Brazil via the MMA Junkie.

Another opponent who could have been big is Yoel Romero but a USADA doping violation recently cropped up, thus taking him out of the picture as well.

Weidman, on the other hand, was reportedly someone who had been begging for the rematch and harassing Dana White. Rockhold made it clear that since he wrestled the title from Weidman at UFC 194, he never had a problem giving Weidman a rematch.

"He's been harassing Dana (White) from what I understand since the day after the fight and I'm not opposed to giving him what he wants if he really likes it," said Rockhold via Fox Sports.

One reason why Weidman was not ruled as one of Rockhold’s next opponent was because of his showing at UFC 94. He struggled against Rockhold and eventually lost by TKO.

Learning from that loss, Weidman may be better prepared this time around. In fact, the three-time defending champion had already started training last month despite absence of official word on whether he would be given the opportunity to face Rockhold once again, as reported through Fox Sports.

However, with Belfort and Romero counted out, Weidman believed he could get a shot. His request was officially granted just recently by White.

UFC 199 will take place this summer though no exact date has been set. With the new lease on life, Weidman will try to avenge that UFC 194 loss and become the first two-time middleweight champion in UFC history.

For now, the Rockhold vs. Weidman fight is the only match announced, though rumors suggest that it could also showcase the debut of former WWE wrestler CM Punk.

Mickey Gall is one of the names being mentioned as Punk’s likely opponent. All that would depend on whether Gall is able to notch another win against Mike Jackson at UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson.