‘This Could Be My Last Fight’

Chris Weidman has at least one more fight in him.

Life after championship status has been a rough one for the Middleweight division’s “All-American.” Along with going 2-6 in bouts post-title reign (15-7 overall), Weidman suffered a gruesome, and career-threatening, leg break in his Uriah Hall rematch at UFC 261 in April 2021. After a lengthy rehabilitation process, Weidman returned to action against Brad Tavares at UFC 292 this past August 2023.

Unfortunately for the 41-year-old Weidman, he was bested by his fellow 185-pound veteran via a unanimous decision. Another fight was something that Weidman admittedly wasn’t even sure he’d come back for. Now, he’s slated to try once more to get back in the win column as he’ll face Bruno Silva at UFC Atlantic City on March 30, 2024.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure,” Weidman told Daniel Cormier of whether or not he’d fight again. “I’m setting myself up for the future, and I wasn’t sure. I was kind of listening to my body and trying to get healthy. Mentally and motivational-wise, and technique-wise, I still think I’m top of the world, but my body’s just taking a beating.

“This could be my last fight,” he continued. “I’m gonna kind of make that decision throughout the training camp and see how I feel. If my body can handle a hard training camp again, and it might be the last one, it might not be.”

Coincidentally, Weidman started his mixed martial arts (MMA) career 15 years ago in the very same city where his next bout takes place. The full circle moment will make for a perfect one to hang up the gloves off of if Weidman does get the win. It all just depends on how he feels physically after the years of built-up wear and tear.

“The reason why I even took this fight pretty quickly, it didn’t even matter who it was because it was offered in Atlantic City,” Weidman said. “That’s where I started my career was Atlantic City because at the time, MMA wasn’t legal in New York. So, the New York guys had to fight in Ring of Combat in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and so I just think it would be pretty cool to go back there where it all started and see how I feel and go from there.”