Former UFC champion Chris Weidman returns to Combat Sports only a few months after he retired at MMA.
Chris Weidman focused on a return to MMA in a rematch with former UFC Middleweight enemy Luke Rockhold in the Global Fight League. But after the GFL reportedly canceled several events, and with the future cloudy promotion, Weidman turned to another chance to compete.
Weidman announced his retirement of MMA after a loss for Eryk Anders on UFC 310 in December. But Weidman was booked for a return to the cage in the GFL, in a rematch years in the making against Rockhold.
GFL has since canceled a whole series of fights, including Dillon Danis vs. Tony Ferguson, for unknown reasons. This forced hunters such as Weidman to consider other options in the midst of the GFL's holding pattern.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Chris Weidman vs. Pat Downey Added to Fury Pro Grappling 13
Weidman will now compete at Fury Pro Grappling 13 in a grabbing match against former Bellator Striking Pat Downey on 23 May in Atlantic City. Downey's Grappling Comeback comes after he had been banned by Ibjjf for five years after a fight with an opponent at the World Nogi Championships 2024.
Downey defeated the most recently UFC Middleweight Andre Petroski by decision at Fury Pro Grappling 12 in December. Before that he split grab matches against Rockhold and Adam Bradley.
Weidman returns to the Pro Grappling Circuit Two years after a loss for Owen Livesey in Polaris 23. Then he returned to UFC competition at UFC 292 and lost to Brad Tavares due to a unanimous decision for a controversial victory over Bruno Silva.
The full Fury Pro Grappling 13 Fight Card is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Chris Weidman returns to action after announcing UFC pension
Weidman, a likely future UFC -Hall or Famer, wants to return to the peak physical form that he saw UFC victories over the will of Anderson Silva, Vorror Belfort and Lyoto Machida.
Weidman is a dangerous grappler, after he had become a NCAA Division I All-American Wrestler and has demonstrated Elite basic skills. He submitted Tom Lawlor and Kelvin Gastelum, among others, during his UFC official period.
Weidman could possibly return to MMA along the line, regardless of the future of GFL. In the meantime, he is aimed at making a statement in his professional gripping efficiency.