Dana White asks Chris Weidman to retire after UFC 292 loss
UFC 292 was not kind to former middleweight champion Chris Weidman. The 39-year-old was making his return from a gruesome leg break but his comeback was spoiled as he lost a one-sided decision to Brad Tavares. It certainly did not help that Weidman ate a lot of leg kicks throughout the bout.
UFC president Dana White addressed Weidman’s future at the UFC 292 post-fight press conference. All quotes via MMAFighting.
“I love Chris Weidman,” White said at the UFC 292 post-fight press conference. “I love him, I love his family and I think he should retire. We talked to [Doctor Jeff Davidson], Doc D thinks he blew his MCL/ACL — he blew one of his [cruciate ligaments]. The guy’s just coming back from a gruesome injury. Listen, father time is not our friend at all but definitely not for a professional athlete.“
In the bout, Weidman was hit with 41 leg kicks, according to UFC stats. The slew of kicks ultimately lead to the ‘All American’ suffering injuries that will, once again, force him to the sideline.
“First of all depending on the damage to the knee, you’re talking another year. I would say Chris, I love you, please, please retire,” White said.
Weidmen, 39, will not be able to return to the octagon anytime soon. If he were to fight again, it likely would not come until after his 40th birthday.
Despite the poor result and damage taken, Weidman is still bullish on the idea of continuing his MMA career.
“I’m not done,” Weidman said. “I’ll be back better than ever, but this was a good opportunity for me to get back in the octagon.”
Weidman is now 1-4 in his last five and 2-6 since losing the UFC middleweight title. The former champion is certainly a legend of the sport and one of the toughest fighters in the game, but his glory days are long gone.
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