Chris Weidman explains why he decided against retirement | ESPN MMA

Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman speaks with Karyn Bryant, Rashad Evans and Alan Jouban on the UFC Fight Night Pre-Show about why he decided against retirement after his comeback bout against Brad Tavares. Weidman says he feels better than ever as he previews his #UFCAtlanticCity fight against Bruno Silva.
#UFC #Weidman
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[@OMGpandemic]

2013 was a long time ago. Time is cruel.

[@dangray5532]

The last time Chris got a win over "top tier" competition was in 2017 against Gastelum. He has gone 2-7 in his last 9 fights. He will be turning 40 this summer. 😩

[@charliec2966]

DAM

[@ShinyShinyIsAlwaysBeingSerious]

It's important that Chris sees this. I never like to tell people when they should retire, because it's not my business or my life, but I would at least like to know that they're aware of the likelihood of success and not just blindly pretending everything is okay, like Tony and maybe now Chris.

[@saintoflastresorts2272]

40 is doable at his weight but a fractured leg is hard to comeback from. Also that Romero knee and the Rockhold fiasco.

[@Seryma86]

@@saintoflastresorts2272I disagree in his case since he’s mw. Maybe being 40 at lhw, and mainly hw guys can still compete at a pretty high level (some like dc and glover at an extremely high level), but any division below that then it’s not promising. Especially with the severity of his injury and the time he had to take off. Depends what his goal is, if it’s just to fight a couple more times to prove he can then that’s his decision, but he has zero chance of getting belt again and beating top guys in the division. Edit, Hendo is the only person I can think of that had success post 40 in mw.

[@aontaithe-]

Tony vibes…. Make it stop

[@cole88]

Weidman decided he needs to get koed just one last time

[@Byokku2013]

Well know after this fight

[@Niall489]

Tony will be back and prove you wrong and regain the title

[@SatoshiShintoMe]

They need money. Close the border!

[@daltonlewis126]

Casual

[@JLCsyr]

Chris needs better people around him 😔

[@MOBSquadGaming]

Chris should definitely retire. He hasn’t been the same after the Luke fight.

[@WJstudios04]

that spinning kick mistake

[@joelucas8529]

Love that he plugged his brand first min in LOL

[@MrDeceptacon88]

Barf

[@bigben42]

@@MrDeceptacon88yeah how dare he make some money for him and his family

[@MrDeceptacon88]

@@bigben42 yeah coz its pathetic and i aint buyin shiat

[@bigben42]

@@MrDeceptacon88 well that’s why he’s a lot richer than you I guess so pipe down

[@SatoshiShintoMe]

3k views, what a 'plug' LOL

[@marcalexander5594]

Chris is such a good dude, I hate watching how these fighters go out at the end of their careers. Good luck bro

[@jf9652]

Such a good dude using all of his fingers to win.

[@Smithy250]

Money*

[@Guitarial_arts]

I don’t think so. He doesn’t know anything else, that’s what you don’t realize. He started training and competing as a little kid, he’s almost 40, he’s never done anything else, this has been his life, and obviously he loves it. Let the guy be. He’s grown, he understands what’s going on. Hes signed to the ufc, they offered him a fight and he wants it. Let him fight.

[@Guru-ue2yp]

Chris weidman and Tony Ferguson champions 2024❤

[@SalmonKid7]

When USADA leaves, a lot of old vets will start to have performances that far exceed their previous abilities during their decline ;D

[@user-rw2pm8vv4n]

Seems like a great guy, but people around him should be telling him to stop

[@ghagzor]

He gets like $350k a fight, why would he stop? 3 fights = a cool million

[@BazookaTooth707]

Chris isn't doing this for us, he's doing this for himself. Let him be. Chris is a lot more level headed than Tony. Not even comparable in the slightest.

[@MrDeceptacon88]

Wrong..tony 2.0

[@Yeshuaspupil]

​@@MrDeceptacon88 lol you're right. Bro was saying all the same stuff as Tony before his last fight talking about winning the title.

[@theentheosdetinagas]

🧢🧢

[@charlescharlemagne4907]

@@Yeshuaspupil except all the insane ramblings like Tony which was his point that went right over your head

[@saynotofeminism]

Crazy how much bigger Weidman is compared to Rashad especially since Rashad mostly fought at 205 and Weidman 185

[@WyattMatheson]

He also won tuf and started his ufc career at heavyweight

[@debeuleneareko6157]

Being 13-0 at one point and nearly 10 years later being 15-7 sure feels like a wasted decade in a way.

[@youtuberabbithole6002]

What a warrior to come back from all that adversity 💪🏼 Weidman deserved to be on UFC 300 but I'm happy to watch him fight tomorrow 👊🏼

[@ElimRem]

Yes, he should back down.🎵 But he won't back down. 🎵

[@anasshahid224]

Great to see Chris Weidman back, a true legend of the sport, hope he wins Saturday night.

[@mmarioescareno]

No “that’s still my boy” jokes in the comments? I’m disappointed y’all

[@Reyma777]

Rashad is former light heavy champion and looks way smaller than the former middleweight champ Chris Weidman.

[@Sourcepowa]

He turned raw vegan or something.

[@AlexHernandez-gn6rd]

Just stop bro.

[@cliffroberts1774]

Wish him all the best

[@bigben42]

I think Bruno is a winnable fight for him

[@mrspiff6955]

Nah. Bruno will KO him in the first round.

[@tamie341]

Bro cmon just stop 😂😂

[@bigben42]

@@mrspiff6955 wow really?

[@bigben42]

@@tamie341 Bruno should’ve trained his eyes more, great prediction by me because I’m not a casual like you

[@tamie341]

@@bigben42 alright here's a cookie 🍪 we both know it shoulda been a no contest so you are actually still a casual.

[@nialljohn510]

That win against Anderson get to he’s head Anderson made him knock him out and the 2bd fight he broke he’s leg weidman really hasn’t done anything since 2013

[@forrestmalcom8351]

Everyone hyped him up too much even saying he could beat Jon Jones at catch weight 😂😂😂

[@KevinD-fr9sg]

My prediction: Chis get leg kicked so bad, they need to amputate from the hip. After the surgery, he weighs 165. He decides to cut to 155 and fight light heavyweight. After 6 more loses, him and Tony get matched up at UFC 400. Loser has to retire, winner goes on a title run and loses in the title fight to Hap Chandler. What a sport.

[@CassieStone-wr4bg]

Tf you babbling about ? 🤡

[@KevinD-fr9sg]

@CassieStone-wr4bg You need to mind your business, Cassie.

[@walterkaiyuenpang3556]

😂😂😂 Hap ... 🍿

[@KevinD-fr9sg]

@CassieStone-wr4bg one like, seems like you liked your own comment too. You're unreal Cassie Stone.

[@KevinD-fr9sg]

@@walterkaiyuenpang3556 he's got that salt mine strength, dudes gunna be a killer

[@TheFightFoo]

Weidman doing Ray Longo no favors here by making him sound like a horrible coach who watches no tape.

[@ElvisComedy]

Mark my words, in 5-7 years we will all realize Rashad Evans was actually Prince this entire time. Purrrppppllle Rain.

[@azeelkerala]

once upon a time he is the real gun in ufC

[@betfig3804]

Wiedman been brutally knocked out so many times, he can’t think straight anymore

[@xpacnwo2000]

and he's still smarter than you, go figure.

[@robbiefushu5724]

I’m not surprised coaches are telling Chris he can still be the best in the world. He’d still be on a decent contract and they’d be getting a good %…

[@charlescharlemagne4907]

he isnt, Longo hasnt told him that.

[@TurnOntheBrightLights.]

"Oh idk I felt like poking some eyes"

[@westsidera97]

Rashad used to fill out that jacket he's wearing 😅 looking like a former 170 champion next to Weidman now.

[@GlacierSound]

Good for him he’s healthy no roids

[@catchwreck928]

hes 15-7💀

[@freemantuffcakes]

Bro, how are his legs not shot? Cam he even do leg day??

[@Skullage88]

I dont wanna retire, i just what to poke some eyes out as i go ..lol.

[@williamRE]

Because he learned the art of the eye poke. All respect gone.

[@nightr00]

Chris "Pokes" Weidman

[@justinallan5037]

He's already eyeing up his next opponent

[@HasleyMareli-xk6gq]

Tony Weidman

[@charliec2966]

WEIDMAN WAS 13-0 IN UFC. HES NOW 15-7. STILL A CHAMP.

[@michaelsantoro170]

Chris isnt like Tony. Tony has been very active in comparison to rockhold and has taken avlot more damage as a result. He isnt the same fighter that he once was, which is only natural considering what he has put his body and mind through over the years. Chris hasnt been very active, even begore the leg break, obviously hes not the same fighter either, but his brain and body has far less miles on it in comparison to Tony. Its impressive that Weidman came back from such a nasty injury, and if he wants to fight, let him. Same for Tony, albeit the situation is a little bit different considering the sharp decline in speed and reflexes.

[@bkn4]

Holy cow Rashad fought at 205!

[@humanbean1424]

He fought at heavyweight too.

[@OoSt3voOo]

he will win this by wrestling

[@mtp2568]

Daddy‘s boy Chris Weidman

[@bullseyetag01]

There is no man ready for retirement Chris. The fact that the people around him aren't honest with him is fkn sad. No chin left, broken leg etc... Come on. I pive the guy. I'm from LI and I also live live in Fort Mill, SC. I'm a huge fan of Chris. I don't want to see him seriously hurt where he can't provide for his beautiful family.

[@rumple_f0reskinx748]

Plus middleweight is full of killers Blindado Silva ftw

[@SalientSmiles]

Chris is a legend. He deserves to end his career on his own terms. Genuinely a nice guy in person, he’s 💯 real and sincere.

[@ctestare2625]

Weedman has the cte stare

[@henrymedrano2980]

What's that? Can you explain?

[@thlee3]

@@henrymedrano2980100 yard cross eyed stare. he ‘s just not used to be on camera tho. but he probably does have CTE.

[@henrymedrano2980]

@@thlee3 Idk man coming from someone with CTE I feel like if when there but like when and honestly I feel fine.

[@ctestare2625]

@henrymedrano2980 it’s my stare

[@ctestare2625]

@thlee3 like mine 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@MMA_MINDS]

I get people think Chris should retire but it’s his life. Let people do what they want. He’s getting paid to fight. What if he wins tonight? Let’s just see how it plays out, regardless, it’s his life, his choice regardless of what randoms on the internet think he should do.

[@Laceta2]

Weidman with the lay and pray decision win

[@mlbaddict]

I can't put my finger on why he hasn't retired yet.

[@Rob_Kankerboef]

I can see him winning some more fights if he's allowed to eye gouge his opponents

[@ChanceJolivette]

rashad was 205 lb champion and won ultimate fighter at heavyweight but weidman looks massive compared to him

[@RicardoCamargoArt]

Ooh the eye poke guy

[@charlescharlemagne4907]

Still top 5 UFC middleweights of all time if he loses

[@guylocation9823]

😂😂😂

[@charlescharlemagne4907]

​@@guylocation9823 whats funny, casual? He was champ with two title defenses.

[@stefanostevens9141]

The elder abuse is disgusting

[@JJ.420]

this is a healthy version of why to keep fighting, he’s content with this being the last one. this isn’t a tony ferguson who thinks after 7 losses he’s gonna fight for a belt

[@kms08711]

If he was keep improving against mid level fighters like jim miller and keep winning that's okay But chris weidman's legs all fuxked and he can't even wrestle anymore man He's gonna get hurt real bad

[@SatoshiShintoMe]

No, his broke and needs money. Low IQ individual, who never planned for retirement. It's pathetic.

[@spectre8469]

@@kms08711 rumors have it hes on HGH

[@MrDeceptacon88]

Wrong..he is Tony 2.0

[@TheM16riot]

this dude worse than tony.

[@wrdswpns1139]

the eye poke has halted his retirement

[@nogi7028]

Chris Weidman has taken tremendous amount of brain and body damage for the last 10 years. It's going to be a tough life for him as time goes on

[@thlee3]

needs more money probably. period.

[@theDavidChannel1]

They should have given him Jack Hermansson. Like to see how Weidman does against another grappler.

[@middlefinger456]

He has a good team so I’m 1000% he’s just tryna cash out

[@semlapa9864]

new mma game plan: Master of accidental eye poke, whomever make most eye poke will definitely become the next UFC champion, eye poke all day baby!

[@lonnieD542]

Weidman will become champ in 2024

[@Johngottisentme]

😂

[@davidkershaw5379]

You look healthier than ever mate don’t listen to the negativity especially after getting in fighting shape.

[@theguvnor3880]

Weidman has nothing left to prove in the sport. If he continues fighting, his body will keep breaking.

[@kms08711]

Except it's already all broken

[@dude9038]

Should have stopped at, "Weidman has nothing left"

[@loveforthe90s]

Chris Weidman 2024 UFC Middleweight Champion

[@Guru-ue2yp]

You’re as delusional as Chris and Tony Ferguson

[@Johngottisentme]

There’s a higher chance of Palestinians being freed

[@sportstalknow5507]

Put down the drugs 😂😂😂

[@terryflaboy4209]

Is Chris saying he's taking the steroids again ???

[@MainCardMinute]

💪💪💪

[@timm285]

Rashad used to fight at 205 and now he looks diabetic. I guess he is off the juice now

[@seethemore6360]

I know he went vegan for a while but I don’t know if he’s still doing it.

[@vicentegeonix]

What about his looks make you think he looks diabetic? 🤔

[@fumanboy]

@@seethemore6360Plant based, not vegan. Learn the difference.

[@timm285]

@@vicentegeonix he looks skinny. Type 1 diabetics tend to be skinny. It’s called the “wasting away disease”. Weidman fights at 185 and he looks huge compared to Rashad. Fighters usually are bigger than their weight class and cut down. Rashad looks like he is 155lbs.

[@vicentegeonix]

@@timm285 ah! Interesting thinking you have.

[@mtbfever8578]

The looser table lol Rashad looks ridiculous with those dreds man 😂😂😂 I swear

[@360gotti]

Poor fella. And you mindless “fans” that keep thinking he can win. Somebody needs to protect him from himself. He needs to walk away.

[@pepe7drum]

dude just let it go

[@Jon--Jones]

So hes dping 1 last fight for a supplement plug?

[@Anthony-dj4nd]

Tin man Weidman from a whole nother generation 😂 would be one of the greatest come back stories if he won another title

[@josephmarshall2453]

Well I learned if your opponent is blind ... it's way easier to tko your opponent ... so I became a blackring ! In that ancient art of Pokémon

[@marvelfrank5444]

He’s just gonna be cherry picking his opponents from now on, just like the wwe

[@Guru-ue2yp]

Chris is 3-7 in his last 10… people around him need to be honest and tell him to quit fighting he sucks

[@AlexColberg]

To bounce back from the many things he's had to bounce back from....this guy is the ultimate inspiration.

[@Razear]

To be fair, if Tony can go on a 7-fight losing streak, I can't see why Weidman can't continue competing, even though he looked horrendous against Tavares.

[@OoLiiMiiT3D]

Lool, the last words made laugh for real 😂 I thought there was about to come a compliment

[@AletheAce]

He should've retired. His "win" over Silva just proved it.

[@Todd-me8hg]

rashad fought @heavy weight? Lol...book jerrell miller vs mijain lopez @ open weight

[@duzentmatter911]

hard not to like weidman.. im rooting for him, but if he loses again those supplements arent gonna help the wet noodles he calls legs

[@theentheosdetinagas]

Not hard at all

[@TheM16riot]

bruh someone tell this dude to stop already

[@TechRide.]

Chris Weidman explains why he decided against retirement - short answer = MONEY.

[@standardFifa]

Because no usada

[@Onlybadtakes2589]

Weidman is one of the dumbest fighters but such a likable personality

[@Mythoughtsreviews]

Excuse me he's still my boy😂

[@Zach-je4zd]

I mean everybody though glover was washed when he got Smoked by Anthony Johnson and Gustafsson and came back and won the belt. Anything can happen.

[@theentheosdetinagas]

Anything Except Chris winning 2 in a row let alone the UFC belt again. He's done. Isn't he 1 and 5 in his last 6?

[@Zach-je4zd]

And…. He won 😂

[@robbyrobinson4500]

Just go away. You have not been good since you beat Anderson.

[@fonsecataliaferro5444]

Because USADA left

[@thatjack4]

Thanks for helping me make money but please let this be the last one. I was in Boston 292 we love you but you’re done man

[@isisdaddy1]

The skills just aren't there

[@MaxMax-lj2ww]

He only fighting for money he can’t beat girl at this point

[@trivialmatter169]

I’m guessing he needs the money

[@andrewskratt9552]

I JUST TOOK A MASSIVE DIARRHEA DUMP

[@deshaunimations7471]

I’m pooping rn

[@Rollan000]

Because he’s a delusional fighter who still thinks he’s in his prime, the end.

[@tuffneggah]

eyedman

[@NikhilKumar-fo5on]

👉👀🎯

[@dude9038]

He did not look good in his last fight. This guy is gonna get hurt

[@hiren8325]

“Ferguson 2.0 Doenliaded” Hhahhahahhh

[@frankiecal3186]

Retire already

[@SherryNiles1312]

Painfully awkward. Really hope he retires and finds a bag somewhere else