C. Weidman poses with his coach R. Longo during his time as champion (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)
'Hidden' on the main card of UFC Atlantic City, which takes place next Saturday (30), the duel between Chris Weidman e Bruno Blindado could mark the retirement of one of the greatest athletes in middleweight history (up to 83,9kg). Suffering from defeats and serious injuries in recent years, the 'All-American' sees his brilliant career suffer a small 'erasure'.
To heat up the UFC Atlantic City clash, or a possible farewell, the SUPER FIGHTS recalls the overwhelming beginning of the journey of Chris Weidman in the organization, with the right to win the middleweight belt and two victories over the legend Anderson Silva.
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Meteoric rise
C. Weidman before his UFC fight (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)
Pupil of the 'Serra-Longo' gym, which has as one of the owners the former welterweight champion (up to 77,1kg) Matt Serra, Weidman stood out on the national wrestling scene, where he achieved the status of 'All-American ', given to the best fighters on the university circuit. The North American switched to MMA in 2009 and after just four professional fights, he got the long-awaited contract with the UFC.
Weidman's rise in the organization was meteoric and the 'All-American' beat five rivals in a period of 16 months, winning the right to fight for the middleweight belt, held by the then 'unbeatable' Anderson Silva who would go on to his eleventh title defense, more than the number of professional commitments of Matt Serra's pupil up to that point.
When Weidman Shocked the World
In the first fight, Anderson was knocked out by Weidman. (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)
UFC 168. July 2013. Underrated and belittled even by the champion Anderson Silva, Weidman entered the octagon at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas (USA), confident and calm about the complicated mission ahead. The 'All American' did not fall under the pile of traditional 'Spider' provocations and shocked the world by knocking out the Brazilian in the second round.
In the long-awaited rematch, just over five months later, Anderson suffered a serious injury and was defeated again, but we cannot forget the dominance once again imposed by Weidman throughout the first round. In the following fights, Chris would gain the reputation of 'executioner of Brazilians' when he beat Lyoto Machida e Vitor belfort who were going through a great phase until then. The 'All American' showed everyone that he was here to stay and was still undefeated in professional MMA.
the decline
C. Weidman was knocked out by L. Rockhold in December 2015 (Photo: Disclosure/@ufc)
After victories over Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida e Vitor belfort, the sky seemed the limit for Weidman, however, at UFC 194, in December 2015, a poorly executed spinning kick made the 'All American' lose control of the fight and be brutally knocked out by Luke Rockhold, who at that time assumed the throne of the under-83,9kg division.
It may be impossible to pinpoint whether the first defeat of Weidman's career had psychological or motivational effects on the American. However, what was seen after the setback for Rockhold was a major change in attitude and/or behavior in Chris' performances. The North American is no longer the confident and aggressive fighter who entered the discussion list of the greatest middleweights in the organization's history.
In the next seven fights after losing the belt, Weidman suffered five defeats and won just two fights and moved far away from the division's elite, until he was removed from the middleweight rankings. The serious injury suffered in the duel against Uriah Hall, in April 2021, alleviated the situation but made the 'All American' an 'unknown' name among younger MMA fans.
After 847 days away from the Octagon, Weidman returned to Ultimate in August 2023 against the experienced Brad Tavares. At the end of the preliminary card of the UFC 292, the 'All-American' was dominated by his rival and was defeated by the judges' unanimous decision.
With seven defeats suffered in his last nine fights, Weidman will step up to the octagon set up in Atlantic City to face the Brazilian Bruno Blindado, which is also going through a delicate moment in the organization, on the main card of the event.
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