Over two years after a devastating leg break in his last appearance, former middleweight world champion Chris Weidman returned to the Octagon on Saturday night as part of the promotion’s stacked UFC 292 card. Meeting the ‘All American’ inside Boston’s TD Garden was fellow UFC veteran Brad Tavares.
Both men walked into the bout determined to score a W after coming up short in their last outing.
Round 1
Chris Weidman comes out putting some pressure on Tavares early, but Tavares is the first to fire, throwing a combination early that Weidman manages to dodge. Weidman responds by shooting for a takedown against the fence, but Tavares defends with ease. Tavares comes back with a big right hand that clips Weidman. Tavares fires a calf kick. Weidman feints another takedown before ultimately shooting in. Tavares defends again and circles away from the fence, returning to the center of the Octagon.
Weidman throws a front kick, but return fire from Tavares lands low on the former middleweight champ, resulting in a brief pause. With the action back underway, Tavares leads with a straight right. Weidman responds with a left. A combination from Tavares backs up Weidman. Tavares follows it up with a calf kick, followed by another. Counter left from Weidman lands and Tavares once again attacks the lead leg.
A left from Tavares partially lands. Weidman responds with a 1-2. Weidman looks to snatch a leg, but quickly bails and eats another calf kick. A right uppercut from Tavares narrowly misses as the round comes to an end.
Round 2
Tavares comes out with a combination complete with another lead leg kick. Tavares goes upstairs with a high kick as Weidman struggles to get his offense going. Tavares again targets Weidman’s lead leg and the former champ is clearly compromised. Weidman is forced to switch stances as he can barely put weight on his lead leg. Tavares continues chopping at Weidman’s lead leg. Weidman attempts to close the distance with a takedown, but Tavares again defends and circles away.
Chris Weidman begins to pick up the pace and pressure Tavares. Weidman throws a front kick that lands low on Tavares, causing a stop to the action. With the fight restarted, Weidman continues to pick up where he left off, landing a body kick followed by a right hand that briefly puts Tavares on the canvas. Tavares bounced back up and resumes chewing up Weidman’s lead leg with a series of calf kicks. Weidman shoots for a takedown against the fence, but Tavares once again defends and escapes.
A high kick from Weidman misses. Weidman goes high once again and follows it up with a right hand that clips Tavares. Weidman clinches up against the fence and changes levels, but he cannot get Tavares to the ground yet again. Weidman goes high with the kick once again. Weidman lands a jab and then initiates the clinch as the second round ends.
Round 3
Tavares comes out with a high kick before once again attacking the lead leg. Tavares throws another low kick that grazes the cup area, causing our third stoppage of the fight due to a low blow. With the fight back underway, Weidman continues to pressure forward but eats another calf kick that has him reeling. Smelling blood in the water, Tavares picks up the pace and continues attacking the leg.
Unwilling to give up, Weidman charges forward and shoots, but Tavares again defends the takedown. Weidman again closes the distance with strikes but changes level for a takedown that Tavares shakes off with ease. Big left hook lands for Weidman. The ex-champ keeps his foot on the gas pedal, but he’s unable to offer much offense due to the significant punishment Tavares has put on his legs. Weidman throws a right hand that lands. Tavares fires a low kick that Weidman checks as the clock hits zero.
Official Result: Brad Tavares def. Chris Weidman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Check Out Highlights From Chris Weidman vs. Brad Tavares at UFC 292 Below:
Quoi de mieux que le retour d'une légende pour le combat préliminaire vedette?
Prochain combat #UFC292 : @ChrisWeidman 🆚 @BradTavares en direct MAINTENANT sur RDS 2 et TSN 3-4. pic.twitter.com/K2SsOa8l7v
— UFC Québec (@UFCQuebec) August 20, 2023
Chris Weidman makes his first UFC walkout since April 2021 👏 #UFC292 pic.twitter.com/yZDiaMs15j
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 20, 2023
One for Hawaii! ❤️@BradTavares picks up a huge victory over former champ Chris Weidman to wrap up the prelims! #UFC292 pic.twitter.com/IdIe3JqDpZ
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) August 20, 2023
