Brad Tavares decisions Chris Weidman at UFC 292

Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman made his return on the UFC 292 preliminary card after more than two years against Brad Tavares.

Weidman suffered a broken leg in his last outing against Uriah Hall at UFC 261 in April 2021.  After multiple surgeries and infections, Weidman hoped to come back in winning form on Saturday.   

He entered the octagon to loud cheers from those in attendance at TD Garden in Boston, but it wasn’t his night.  

Tavares landed first with a right hand.  Weidman attempted to take Tavares down but Tavares shook it off.  Tavares stepped in with a right hand that sent Weidman backpedaling.  Tavares landed an illegal kick to the groin of Weidman.  The fight quickly restarted.  Tavares delivered a hard leg kick.  Weidman pressed forward and landed a kick to the body.  Tavares landed another leg kick followed by an uppercut at the end of the opening round.

Tavares continued to land leg kicks.  He connected with another one that hurt Weidman.  He switched stances but Tavares started kicking that one.  Weidman backs up Tavares with a flurry and Tavares circles free.  Weidman’s momentum was stopped when he landed an illegal kick to the groin.  

Once the action restarted, Tavares went back to lading leg kicks.  Weidman changed levels and worked to get the fight to the ground.  Tavares fought off the attempt.  Weidman pressured Tavares and clinched.  Tavares again defended a takedown attempt.  The round ended with Weidman landing a left hand and clinching.  

Tavares landed a leg kick that caused Weidman to switch Stances.  They were both throwing kicks and Weidman took one low.  The fight restarted and Weidman pressed forward.  Tavares landed two more leg kicks.  He landed a hard one that buckled Weidman’s knee.  Weidman closed the distance but Tavares pushed him away.  Weidman connected with a big left hook.  Tavares continued to land leg kicks,  

Tavares ruined Weidman’s return.  All three judges scored the fight for him 30-27.