In the world of MMA, injuries are like old companions, showing up now and then. Sometimes they’re small hurdles, but other times, they can turn lives upside down. And, Chris Weidman had a similar tough encounter with fate just two years back. It was April 24, 2021, at UFC 261 when Uriah Hall sprang a quick surprise, beating Weidman in only 17 seconds.
Weidman’s kick met Hall’s block, and that’s when things went terribly wrong. Weidman’s leg gave way, breaking in a terrible way. The need for surgery was urgent, with a sturdy rod becoming the linchpin holding Weidman’s shattered leg together.
Surprisingly, Weidman was the victim of the same gruesome leg break that had haunted Anderson Silva years prior. In December 2013, Silva’s leg snapped in a hauntingly similar manner while facing Weidman. Amid whispers of karma, Weidman defended himself staunchly. His seemingly celebratory reaction to Silva’s injury, he clarified, was due to his unawareness of the depth of Silva’s pain.
“Anyone saying I celebrated when Anderson’s leg snapped is entirely wrong. There was no happiness on my behalf from that point on” explained Weidman in an interview.
Silva also showed his kind side on social media when Weidman was injured, and he was thankful for it. Their paths crossed in an unusual way. The argument about who suffered more – Silva or Weidman – got an answer from Joe Rogan, who knows much about MMA. And he claimed Silva’s leg break was one of the worst injuries in the world of fighting.
“To see his shin snap, like that, he’s like God damn, you would always think about it. Before you went to throw a shot. You would always think about the two years it took you to regrow your bone back where you could throw kicks with it again…It’s one of the most horrific injuries in the sport” claimed Joe Rogan, prominent UFC commentator.
In the context of sporting injuries, Silva’s leg break stands as a horrifying testament. In a way, Weidman’s fate mirrors Silva’s, two fighters sharing the agony of a twisted destiny.
Chris Weidman is making his comeback in UFC 292
After more than two years away, the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is all set for a comeback. Recovered from a serious leg injury, Weidman is ready to step into the Octagon once again. He’s facing Brad Tavares at UFC 292 on August 19, 2023, at Boston’s TD Garden. This time, though, things are a bit different. Weidman usually fought in the main events, but he’s on the preliminary card this time.
“It’s kind of disrespectful, to be honest. I’m not going to pretend like it’s not,” said Chris Weidman. In the past, he headlined seven events and was in five co-main event fights, apart from three other main card battles. It’s a significant shift, reminding us of his victory back in 2011. Now, fans are waiting to see how he’s going to have a clash in the ring after his most anticipated return.
