Chris Weidman, the legendary former world champion who has dethroned Anderson Silva, returned to action last night at a small wrestling show.
Weidman had registered to Rematchen Luke Rockhold, who had relieved him from his UFC -Riem almost ten years ago, during the doomed debut of the GFL. However, when that was canceled, he chose to still compete, albeit in a struggle capacity at Cage Fury in Atlantic City.
Unfortunately, the result did not go the path of Weidman when he was defeated by the renowned wrestler Patrick Downey. Despite the defeat, fans were impressed by the skills and fitness of the former champion after retirement last year against a famous grappler such as Downey.
Chris Weidman loses return to action against Patrick Downey
Interestingly, Patrick Downey was on his way in his fight with Chris Weidman, opposite his large rival Rockhold less than a year earlier in a wrestling competition. Back at the Craig Jones Invitational, Downey won a decision against Rockhold to continue to the second round, where he lost to Adam Bradley.
At the age of 32, Downey has far fewer kilometers on the clock and he could show that when he stopped a lateral drop of Weidman to land the golden score. On the way to that last exchange, however, the perception was that the UFC legend looked great for 40 years old and can still compete.
The UFC Run of Weidman ended with a 1-2 record after his leg broke in two half against Uriah Hall, following how he defeated Anderson Silva the second time they fought. But he rolled back in Atlantic City for the years and sometimes looked dominant against an active rival for eight years his junior.
It is unclear whether Weidman will try to fight again, or whether he will adhere to competing in gripping competitions that are easier to prepare and do not entail horrible weight reductions.
Chris Weidman went back at UFC 310 with Eryk Different after loss
After his return of that horror injury in 2023, Weidman even managed to land himself again in the Win column when he earned a technical decision against Bruno Silva. But at UFC 310 he was defeated by former football -falling Eryk Anders, who was relegated to the Prelims.
He took that as a sign that his career was ready and announced the news during the UFC 311-way show. “Since I decided to go into this sport, the goal has been to be a UFC hunter since 2009,” he told his colleague broadcast team members.
“Then the goal was to be a UFC champion. 14 years later I am here to tell you that I am hanging the gloves in the UFC. I am no longer going to fight in the organization that has changed my life in so many ways.
Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty images
“I am just super grateful for everyone who brought me here, so that's the latest news. I just want to thank the UFC for all the opportunities they have given me.
“It really became a family from the brothers Fertitta to Dana White to Hunter Campbell, Joe Silva, the matchmaker who originally brought me in, Mick Maynard and all the staff. They are all just like family, great people, but it's time to continue.
“I want to thank my family for supporting all those years through the ups and downs. My coaches Ray Longo, Matt Serra, all the guys from when I moved to the Carolinas and all my training partners.”