Chris Weidman Admits His 'Body Has Taken a Beating', and 'This Could Be My Last Fight.'

[Substance Abuse]

Chris Weidman will confront some hard truths as he prepares to face Bruno Silva at the upcoming UFC Atlantic City card in March.

The former middleweight champion has undergone dozens of surgeries during his career but after suffering a devastating broken leg in 2021, which included a compound fracture, it appeared that perhaps his career was nearing its end. After enduring several more surgeries to repair the damage done, a determined Weidman finally made his return to the UFC this past August — over 800 days removed from his last appearance — but ultimately lost a one-sided decision to Brad Tavares.

Weidman will attempt to get back to his winning ways with his next appearance in March but he acknowledges that there’s a real chance this could be the final fight of his career.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure either [if I’d fight again],” Weidman told Daniel Cormier on his YouTube channel. “I’m setting myself up for the future and I wasn’t sure. I was just kind of listening to my body, trying to get healthy. Mentally and motivational wise and technique wise, I still think I’m top in the world but my body’s just taking a beating.

“This could be my last fight but I’m going to kind of make that decision throughout the training camp, see how I feel, if my body can handle a hard training camp again. It might be the last one, it might not be.”

Typically training out of South Carolina where his family lives, Weidman recently took a trip out to Las Vegas where he’s taken advantage of the UFC Performance Institute to help him get ready for his next fight.

As much as he remains undecided on his future, the 39-year-old former middleweight champion felt this particular date and location could serve as the perfect full circle moment for his career if this really could be the end.

“The reason why I took this fight pretty quickly, I didn’t even matter who it was is because it was offered and it was offered in Atlantic City,” Weidman explained. “That’s where I started my career in Atlantic City. Because at the time, MMA wasn’t legal in New York. All the New York guys had to fight in Ring of Combat in Atlantic City, Jersey. I just think it would be pretty cool to go back there where it all started and see how I feel.”

Looking back at his last performance, Weidman confessed that he struggled with the harsh reality that opponents were going to target his surgically repaired leg because that’s going to be perceived as a potential weakness.

Tavares blasted away at Weidman’s legs throughout the fight and the New York native just couldn’t quite pull the trigger in return.

“As soon as he kicked me, I wanted to come back with a kick, I was hesitating,” Weidman said. “I couldn’t do it. I saw his shin there and I hesitated with it.

“I didn’t like that so I’m really going to work in this fight camp dealing with leg kicks. Now I know these guys are going to be coming after my legs.”

Weidman won’t make any decisions right now but he knows the sand could be running out of the hourglass as far as his career goes. For now, he’s just going to pour everything into his preparation and look to take out Silva in March.

“Listen, obviously it’s a good payday,” Weidman said. “See how my body feels and we’ll go from there.”

Link: Weidman Talks About Health, Next Fight Possibly Being His Last

 

[jeskola]

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

Ray Longo devastated

 

[ipowerslapmywife]

Until he boxes Jake Paul or does bareknuckle

 

[Fergelmince]

I think the guy is driving fans away with this insistence on continuing to fight. He was getting blasted BEFORE he broke his leg. He's starting to sound like the drunk at the bar who won't leave - "Alright, alright, just one more..."

 

[Randy Fandy Fo Fanders]

At this point maybe it’s best to retire. He made his mark on the sport and made millions. Best to retire before ruining his legacy.

He’ll always be remembered for dethroning one of the GOATs.

 

[Arm Barbarian]

He should retire.

Guy has been injured badly in multiple fights. His legs are a mess, and I remember after Yoel kneed his head off, it looked like he had nerve damage in his face for a long time.

His eye and mouth almost looked like they were drooping for about a year afterwards.

He had a very decent run at his peak. Nothing left to prove by taking damage at this stage of his career.

 

[KOPPE]

Chris is like many semi-poor/middle class fighters. he trapped himself and his family in a luxurious lifestyle
that he can't maintain forever.
most households cant maintain the same standard of living when papa retire and thats how the family
fall apart.

 

[Corrado Soprano]

Chris ‘My Boy’ Weidman will always be ‘My Boy.’

 

[blewgums]

Wait ‘til one of the Diaz brothers gets a holt a him.

He’ll be wrecked for life.

 

[ipowerslapmywife]

View attachment 1022999

Chris is like many semi-poor/middle class fighters. he trapped himself and his family in a luxurious lifestyle
that he can't maintain forever.
most households cant maintain the same standard of living when papa retire and thats how the family
fall apart.

Luxurious lifestyle? it looks like he lives upper middle class

 

[ipowerslapmywife]

I think the guy is driving fans away with this insistence on continuing to fight. He was getting blasted BEFORE he broke his leg. He's starting to sound like the drunk at the bar who won't leave - "Alright, alright, just one more..."

He was winning that whole fight too lol

 

[Fight Professor]

Luxurious lifestyle? it looks like he lives upper middle class

True upper middle class makes money off passive/semi-passive investments/trusts or at least have a profession like a doctor that pretty much guarantees high income.

Without that criteria upper middle class is not sustainable for most people.

 

[ipowerslapmywife]

True upper middle class makes money off passive/semi-passive investments/trusts or at least have a profession like a doctor that pretty much guarantees high income.

Without that criteria upper middle class is not sustainable for most people.

He’s made a few million through fighting and has a desk job with the ufc. He looks to be smart with his money and lives a upper middle class lifestyle. He likely invests in real estate or something else as well

 

[ComeChooDaddy]

Nobody gives a fuck. He’s no Anderson Silva. Feed him to a Paul brother.

 

[Psilo82]

Luxurious lifestyle? it looks like he lives upper middle class

Yea def not luxurious, but still probably gotta make 200k a year to support 5 person family when ur the sole bread winner, to atleast live like he probably does. What does he make per fight? What about his medical bills for the past 5 years? He doesn’t fight much and had a short glory run of making big money. Unless Chris was a financial wizard with what he earned I doubt he’s living worry free these days

 

[Fight Professor]

He’s made a few million through fighting and has a desk job with the ufc. He looks to be smart with his money and lives a upper middle class lifestyle. He likely invests in real estate or something else as well

A large house, a few cars, taxes/gym fees, maintenance can add up very quickly.

Investing into S&P/total stock market funds or real estate in the last 3 years could have been very profitable. But fighters seem to keep unretiring or not retiring when they should. Money is the reason 99% of the time.

 

[Dr. Rose]

Didn't he move to South Carolina? He will be fine with his money. He can work at Wonderboy's gym and supplement with jitz classes, privates, and autograph signings.

 

[Gang Sign Luke]

Am I the only one who never liked Chris? He's always come across like a low IQ douche bag. Even if he never beat Anderson, he still isn't likable. Not to mention he tried to game the system against Gegard and played himself, which was a terrible look.

 

[jeff7b9]