Chris Weidman grimaces in pain as Uriah Hall looks on at UFC 261 (Credits: Yahoo)
Chris Weidman has been sidelined from action since his horrific injury back in UFC 261
There’s no doubt in any hardcore MMA fan’s mind that Chris Weidman remains one of the greatest middleweight fighters to ever grace the octagon. At a time when the ‘Spider’ Anderson Silva looked invincible, running unbridled through the middleweight division with 10 title defenses, Chris Weidman quashed the reign by knocking Silva out.
After grabbing the title from the Brazilian at UFC 162, Silva understandably got an immediate rematch at UFC 168, only to succumb to the most horrific injury MMA fans had seen in the sport. Silva’s leg snapped in half and the visuals of that injury scare fans to this day. Fast forward eight years later, Weidman would be at the receiving end of a dead ringer, facsimile injury against Uriah Hall at UFC 261.
An undefeated fighter in his first 13 Pro-MMA career, Weidman was already on a downward slant, having won only 2 of his eight fights since that. Weidman defended his belt thrice before losing to Luke Rockhold, which also was the start of his toppling.
Since the nightmarish injury, Weidman has been on a path to recovery, working actively on his rehab. In February 2022, fans of the American fighter received some positive news when he made an appearance on the Fighter vs Writer podcast.
“I want to fight before I turn 38 in June,” Weidman revealed on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “That’s my goal. I hate seeing the older age on the screen when I get introduced. I’ve always been like that, even when I was in my 20s. I don’t want to be 29, I want to be 28 for the next one. So I still have that in me a little bit, now I’m just way older. So if I could fight around early June, that would be great. Again, there’s a lot in the air and it’s very unpredictable.
“This is a very serious injury. I’ve been through lots of injuries before, obviously you know I’ve had 25 surgeries. This is very different. There’s a lot of moving parts. So I have goals when I’d like to fight but I’m not going to die over a month or two difference. I am coming back and I am coming back in 2022.”
It’s way past June now, and there is no news of any fight updates for Chris Weidman. In hindsight, its actually great that the fighter is taking his time, and fans will definitely tune in to watch their beloved fighter fight, whenever he decides to make that walk to the octagon again.
UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez will take place on July 16, 2022, at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York in the United States. The stacked card will be headlined by a featherweight bout between Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez.
Chris Weidman always looks forward to competing in New York, and the MMA fighter represents his country with pride. A fan on Twitter recently reached out to him by saying, ‘Wish you were fighting this week… Hope you healing well..Look forward for your next fight.’
Weidman reacted to his well-wisher who prayed for his speedy recovery, and said, ‘Thank you ! Wish I was too’
More MMA news
Follow our dedicated MMA page for instant MMA news and updates