Chris Weidman may have taken final steps in the octagon this past Saturday at UFC 292. Coming back from a grueling foot injury, it was a miracle that the New York native could compete again. However, the return didn’t go to plan, as he lost the decision to Brad Tavares. The loss has left many people speculating whether we will ever see Weidman in the UFC again.
The Legacy of Chris Weidman
The 39-year-old is a future UFC Hall of Famer who has had a great run in the sport with a professional record of 20-9. Weidman is known for his incredible wrestling ability but is a well-rounded fighter. The All-American is a former UFC middleweight champion who has beaten many great fighters. When he knocked out Anderson Silva, it was the first time anyone had beaten the Brazilian fighter. The notable victory showed Weidman’s uniqueness because he managed to do the impossible. He has also dominated the likes of Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida. It seems as if it is the end of a remarkable career, yet you can never know when a fighter will decide to hang up their gloves.
His Latest Result
It was a long recovery for the former champion after he suffered a broken tibia and Fibula. He did this after throwing a leg kick in his second fight with Uriah Hall. The injury put Weidman on the shelf for over two years. After returning from an injury like that, it is always hard to predict what a fighter will look like on their return. The fight with Tavares was relatively competitive, with Weidman showing glimpses of world-class talent in the second round as he managed to land some big shots on the Hawaiian. However, at the end of the fight, it was clear that Tavares’ hand should be raised. A big part of Weidman’s demise was the damage he sustained to his legs, which left him unable to move correctly and produce enough power to trouble his opponent.
Dana White’s Thoughts
It is easy to see why UFC president Dana White respects Weidman so much. Yet, there comes a time when every fighter must call it a day. Speaking at UFC 292 post-fight press conference, White believes Weidman’s time has come.
“I love him, I love his family, and I think he should retire; the guy is returning from a gruesome injury, and father time is not our friend.”
It is hard to predict what is next for Weidman and whether he will fight again. Whatever happens, he will go down as one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
