After suffering another stoppage loss, Chris Weidman is assuring everyone he’s far from done fighting.
Last weekend at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston, Weidman (14-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) failed in his light heavyweight debut and was knocked out in the first round by Dominick Reyes, his fifth stoppage loss in his last six fights.
With the notion that Weidman should retire, including UFC president Dana White saying that he needs to have a conversation with him, the former middleweight champion released a statement Tuesday reflecting on his loss and insisting that he’s not ready to hang up his gloves just yet.
“I’m hearing a lot of ‘you should retire comments’ and I get where you are coming from based on the results of my recent fights,” Weidman wrote on Instagram. “It’s crazy because with a win over Reyes the chances of me fighting for the world championship were very strong. Now to be getting hit with the retirement talk is really a big swing for me to get used to hearing. I will tell you that I am def not ready to retire. I still love this and am very hungry to get back in there. I believe I have the abilities to still be world champion.”
Weidman, 35, moved up to light heavyweight in hopes for a career resurgence but was quickly shut down by Reyes. His recent downswing includes a two-fight losing streak. Weidman earned his last win in July 2017, a submission over Kelvin Gastelum.
You can read Weidman’s full statement below:
I just want to let everyone know I’m all good just obviously bummed with the result. I knew Dom was a tough fight and he proved to be more than that with a beautiful timed left hand that put me down in the first. I jumped in with a right hand and the range was off and he capitalized. Sucks for me. As for what is next for me… I’m hearing a lot of “you should retire comments” and I get where you are coming from based on the results of my recent fights. It’s crazy because with a win over Reyes the chances of me fighting for the world championship were very strong. Now to be getting hit with the retirement talk is really a big swing for me to get used to hearing. I will tell you that I am def not ready to retire. I still love this and am very hungry to get back in there. I believe I have the abilities to still be world champion. I know some of you are shaking your head and laughing at me when I say that .. well screw you and thanks for the motivation. This fight I was coming off a year lay-off, 2 major surgeries, and a weight class change. Way too much time out of the gym and I feel like that did play a role in this fight. The fact that I’m healthy right now and can get back in the gym is territory that I’m not used too. I will be back soon and I will look good doing it. Thank you everyone for your support and I’m sorry to let you down. This extreme low in my career will be part of my story and I will finish on top. Thank you to my friends and family and sponsors @monsterenergy @cbdmd.usa@fellowshiphomeloans @medtronic who stand behind me in my high and low moments! Thank you to God for blessing me with all that I have and am so undeserving of. Everyday is a gift and I’m so thankful to be able to experience that gift even when my goals and desires aren’t met.
Chris Weidman 'definitely not ready to retire' after quick TKO loss at UFC on ESPN 6
