Chris Weidman isn’t happy with fighting on the UFC 292 preliminary card.
In April 2021, Weidman suffered one of the worst injuries in UFC history. The former middleweight world champion was fighting Uriah Hall at UFC 261 when tragedy struck at the 17-second mark. ‘The All-American’ threw an early leg kick and shockingly broke his tibia and fibula, leading to a treacherous recovery process.
Weidman utilized his warrior spirit to overcome his potentially career-ending injury. On Saturday, August 19, the Mineola native will make his Octagon return during the preliminary portion of UFC 292. Although he’s excited to fight again, the 39-year-old isn’t satisfied with his spot on the prelims.
During an interview with Daniel Cormier, Weidman opened up about being placed on the preliminary card:
“Don’t like it. I feel disrespected a little bit…It went back and forth. They were saying I was going to be on the main card. Then, all of a sudden, I was on the prelims. My manager said, ‘Oh, they think they think are gonna put you on the main card.’ Next thing I know I was on the prelims, and I was like, alright, that’s interesting… At the end of the day, I’m using it as motivation.”
Weidman continued by saying:
“I don’t think the UFC realizes where I’m at and what I’m doing this for. I’m not trying to come back and see how I feel and just get one and feel accomplished because of everything I’ve been through and let me just say I got back into a UFC fight. I am here to be a world champion again, and so, being put on the prelims is like, alright, motherf*ckers, that’s what you think of me? You think I’m the prelim guy now?”
Chris Weidman has been matched up against Brad Tavares. The 35-year-old Hawaii native had a good run in 2021, but he needs a win at UFC 292 after losing two consecutive fights. It’ll be intriguing to see if Weidman or Tavares will get back on track inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Chris Weidman is ‘super grateful’ to be participating in a UFC fight week
Chris Weidman was told his injury against Urijah Hall could have ended his fighting career. Luckily, the former UFC middleweight champion pushed through adversity to bounce back and return to the Octagon. During the same interview with Daniel Cormier, Weidman opened up about his gratefulness to fight again by saying:
“It feels good, man. I’m happy to be here, man. I didn’t know what was gonna happen with this sport. I didn’t know if I was gonna be able to come back to it. I didn’t know if I was ever gonna be able to do a fight week again, do a weight cut again, so, honestly, every bit of it I’m enjoying. I’m super grateful. I have a great attitude about it all.”
Chris Weidman has a statement to make on Saturday night. The 39-year-old believes he can regain UFC gold, while fans are unsure if his comeback story will have a happy ending. Only time will tell if ‘The All-American’ can silence the doubters by securing a win at UFC 292.
