UFC is going through a ‘Passing of the torch’ scenario right now. The legends of the Past are leaving the sport and future prospects are filling in their spots. However, there are some ‘Old Gaurd’s still in competition.
After suffering a horrific leg injury in 2021 during his fight against Uriah Hall, Chris Weidman is finally scheduled to make his long-awaited return inside the octagon as he takes on Brad Tavares on the main card of UFC 292: Sterling vs O’Malley on August 19th at the iconic TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Chris Weidman drops optimistic take on UFC comeback
Ahead of his big comeback in the UFC, Chris Weidman sat down for an interview with Ariel Helwani at the MMA Hour Show. During this conversation, The All American discussed topics like his leg injury, his ESPN documentary, and many other things. While speaking to Ariel, Weidman revealed his goals.
The former middleweight champion sounded extremely confident about reclaiming the belt from Israel Adesanya. Weidman claimed that Izzy will face problems due to their styles. But for now, his plan is to prove to everyone that he is not washed.
“Listen, that’s the dream. No one accomplished what I’ve accomplished in the middleweight division besides Israel Adesanya as far as title defenses and all that. I love that matchup. I think once people see me back out there and see that I’m not this old bum at this point, and they see that I have some serious threats to bring to the table, I believe I’m a really bad matchup for him,” said Chris.
“But I have to prove that, and so until then I’ll shut my mouth and just go out there and prove it against Brad Tavares. I think they’ll see enough in that fight where they’ll believe,” he added.
This could end up being Chris Weidman’s last fight if he loses to Brad Tavares. Besides, it will be very difficult for the 38-year-old middleweight contender to rise through the ranks and challenge for the belt against the new blood.
When did Chris Weidman win the UFC middleweight belt?
As Chris Weidman said, there aren’t many middleweights who have managed to accomplish what he has done inside the octagon. After making his UFC debut in 2011, The All-American went on a five-fight winning streak and earned the opportunity to fight Anderson Silva for the middleweight title at UFC 162 in July 2013.
Going into the fight, it was natural that Weidman was the underdog considering The Spider was undefeated in the UFC and held the record for the most middleweight title defenses. However, Chris Weidman shocked the world as he brutally knocked out Anderson Silva in the second round of the title bout.
The All-American was the aggressor of the fight as he straight away went for the double leg and landed a takedown. Thereafter it was a scrappy round as Chris landed some good ground and pound strikes. He even attempted a heel hook but Silva skilfully escaped from the submission.
In the second round, Anderson Silva stuffed Weidman’s takedown attempt, and the two middleweights engaged in a striking battle. During this striking exchange, The Spider tried to lure in Chris Weidman by keeping his hands behind his back. But this proved extremely costly as Weidman landed a powerful left hook and dropped Silva.
With this win, not only did Chris Weidman win the middleweight title but he also became the first fighter in the UFC to hand The Spider his debut loss in the promotion.
