Chris Weidman – “People think I’m just coming back for like a paycheck or to just see how it feels. I’m coming back to take over this whole damn thing.”
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman will return to the octagon this Saturday at UFC 292, his first fight since a horrific leg injury sustained in April 2021.
The 39-year-old “All-American” will meet Brad Tavares in a middleweight bout in Boston, Massachusetts on August 19, more than two years after breaking his leg in a rematch against Uriah Hall.
In a recent interview with CBS Sports’ reporter Shakiel Mahjouri, Weidman talked about how the injury gave him a new outlook on life.
“It definitely helped me put things in perspective,” Weidman said. “It helped me realize what’s most important in life and that’s my family. My family and close friends. My family was there. They supported me the whole time. They’re always around and kind of gave me a glimpse into what life would be like after fighting. Who’s going to be around because going from a world champion, losing some fights, then breaking your leg in half, you get to see who the real ones are. It definitely has been helpful to see that. There are a lot of blessings in disguise. To be able to come back and feel as good as I feel right now, I feel like I’m in my prime and I’m ready to prove that. People think I’m just coming back for like a paycheck or to just see how it feels. I’m coming back to take over this whole damn thing. It’s very exciting.”
UFC 292 fight card:
Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley – 135 lbs – bantamweight title
Weili Zhang vs. Amanda Lemos – 115 lbs – women’s strawweight title
Neil Magny vs. Ian Machado Garry – 170 lbs
Marlon Vera vs. Pedro Munhoz – 135 lbs
Mario Bautista vs. Da’Mon Blackshear – 135 lbs
Chris Weidman vs. Brad Tavares – 185 lbs
Gregory Rodrigues vs. Denis Tiuliulin – 185 lbs
Kurt Holobaugh vs. Austin Hubbard – 155 lbs – TUF 31 lightweight finale
Cody Gibson vs. Brad Katona – 135 lbs – TUF 31 bantamweight finale
G. Meerschaert vs. Andre Petroski – 185 lbs
Andrea Lee vs. Natália Silva – 125 lbs
Maryna Moroz vs. Karine Silva – 125 lbs
