In recent weeks, though, news has leaked that Weidman had a significantly broken foot going into his fight with Luke Rockhold at UFC 194 in December. The last thing he wants is people saying he's making an excuse, but he's not going to lie about it if asked.
"I say these things, because they came out," Weidman told MMA Fighting in a recent interview. "It's a fact. There's no excuses."
"I knew what I was getting myself into, but I still thought I could go out there and beat him," Weidman said. "Even with that stuff. And he proved that I was wrong. He came out to fight. He was better than me that night."
"I know what I'm capable of," Weidman said. "I know my potential and I know I wasn't close to it. The fact that because of what I've accomplished in the past gives me the opportunity to get a rematch is a great situation to be in. In most situations, people don't get the second chance, especially right away. So, I'm very grateful for the opportunity I have. There's no question in my mind that I'm gonna go out there and make a statement, completely dominate him and make sure everybody knows the last fight was a fluke."
"I feel like he's cocky and I gave him a bigger head and gave him something to be even more cocky about," Weidman said. "It sucks for me. I've gotta suck it up. I got a chance to deflate the head. That's the goal. I have to go back in there and feed him some humble pie."
"[The loss] really allowed me to grow in so many ways that I wouldn't have been able to grow otherwise," Weidman said.
