We all remember Chris Weidman’s roughed-up leg from UFC 261. It’s also why we haven’t seen him in the cage since then! But your favorite ex-middleweight champ is finally returning!
The former champion has been scheduled to face veteran Brad Tavares at UFC 292 on 19 August at Boston’s TD Garden. So, stick around for all the details of his return!
The main event is Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley for the UFC bantamweight championship. In contrast, the co-main event features Zhang Weili vs. Amanda Lemos for the UFC women’s strawweight title.
Weidman hasn’t entered the octagon since April 2021 after his brutal leg damage. Moreover, the 38-year-old has also been spending time in rehabilitation. He most recently fought in a grappling fight at Polaris 23 in March. However, he was defeated by Unanimous decision. Despite losing the battle, the former champion was simply relieved to be back on the mat. His post-fight interview was very emotional as he tried to control his tears. Moreover, he thanked his family and friends for their constant support. He also mentioned that his time off had been quite difficult for him.
In that interview, he also discussed his leg issue. Weidman had wondered if he would ever be able to compete again after this happened. However, it was unreal for him to perform for an audience again, regardless of the outcome. The determination and resilience demonstrated by Weidman in the face of such misfortune are truly inspiring.
Although it wasn’t the same as resuming MMA, Chris Weidman thought his grappling fight was a nice way to knock off the ring rust. According to Weidman, the nerves and the fight week experience were quite similar to UFC. He believed that it served as an excellent opportunity for him to step into a fight and gain valuable experience by facing an opponent like Owen Livesey. Weidman expressed confidence in his statement, stating that he didn’t believe there was anyone in the UFC stronger than Owen Livesey.
Additionally, since surrendering the UFC 185-pound championship to Luke Rockhold in 2015, Weidman is 2-5. On the opposing side of the octagon, Tavares is also fresh off a TKO loss to Bruno Silva at UFC Fight Night 222 in April. So, this match will be highly dramatic for both fighters. The question of who will redeem dominance in the octagon is significant. Ultimately, the other fighter will go home with two consecutive losses under his belt.
Who do you think will win this one? Put your vote in the comments!
