Chris Weidman will confront some onerous truths as he prepares to face Bruno Silva on the upcoming UFC Atlantic Metropolis card in March.
The previous middleweight champion has undergone dozens of surgical procedures throughout his profession however after struggling a devastating damaged leg in 2021, which included a compound fracture, it appeared that maybe his profession was nearing its finish. After enduring a number of extra surgical procedures to restore the injury completed, a decided Weidman lastly made his return to the UFC this previous August — over 800 days faraway from his final look — however finally misplaced a one-sided determination to Brad Tavares.
Weidman will try to get again to his successful methods together with his subsequent look in March however he acknowledges that there’s an actual likelihood this could possibly be the ultimate combat of his profession.
“Truthfully, I wasn’t positive both [if I’d fight again],” Weidman informed Daniel Cormier on his YouTube channel. “I’m setting myself up for the longer term and I wasn’t positive. I used to be simply form of listening to my physique, making an attempt to get wholesome. Mentally and motivational sensible and method sensible, I nonetheless assume I’m high on the earth however my physique’s simply taking a beating.
“This could possibly be my final combat however I’m going to form of make that call all through the coaching camp, see how I really feel, if my physique can deal with a tough coaching camp once more. It is likely to be the final one, it may not be.”
Sometimes coaching out of South Carolina the place his household lives, Weidman just lately took a visit out to Las Vegas the place he’s taken benefit of the UFC Efficiency Institute to assist him prepare for his subsequent combat.
As a lot as he stays undecided on his future, the 39-year-old former middleweight champion felt this specific date and site might function the right full circle second for his profession if this actually could possibly be the tip.
“The explanation why I took this combat fairly shortly, I didn’t even matter who it was is as a result of it was provided and it was provided in Atlantic Metropolis,” Weidman defined. “That’s the place I began my profession in Atlantic Metropolis. As a result of on the time, MMA wasn’t authorized in New York. All of the New York guys needed to combat in Ring of Fight in Atlantic Metropolis, Jersey. I simply assume it might be fairly cool to return there the place it began and see how I really feel.”
Trying again at his final efficiency, Weidman confessed that he struggled with the tough actuality that opponents had been going to focus on his surgically repaired leg as a result of that’s going to be perceived as a possible weak spot.
Tavares blasted away at Weidman’s legs all through the combat and the New York native simply couldn’t fairly pull the set off in return.
“As quickly as he kicked me, I wished to come back again with a kick, I used to be hesitating,” Weidman mentioned. “I couldn’t do it. I noticed his shin there and I hesitated with it.
“I didn’t like that so I’m actually going to work on this combat camp coping with leg kicks. Now I do know these guys are going to be coming after my legs.”
Weidman received’t make any choices proper now however he is aware of the sand could possibly be operating out of the hourglass so far as his profession goes. For now, he’s simply going to pour all the things into his preparation and look to take out Silva in March.
“Hear, clearly it’s a superb payday,” Weidman mentioned. “See how my physique feels and we’ll go from there.”
