Chris Weidman announces retirement – MMA Fighting

Chris Weidman has fought for the last time.

The former UFC middleweight champion officially announced his retirement during Friday’s UFC 311 weigh-in show.

“Since I decided to get into this sport, since 2009, the goal was to be a UFC fighter,” Weidman said. “Then immediately the goal was to be a UFC world champion. Fourteen years later, I’m here and I’m here to tell you guys I’m hanging up the gloves in the UFC. I’m no longer going to be fighting for the organization that changed my life in so many ways. I’m just super appreciative to everybody that got me here.”

Weidman, 40, finishes his pro career with a 16-8 record, including a 12-8 record in the UFC. He scored one of the most memorable title fight victories in MMA history when he upset middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 162 in July 2013. Silva had won 17 straight fights heading into that contest and Weidman shocked the world when he finished Silva via strikes in the second round.

“The All-American” defeated Silva in the rematch (Silva broke his leg in the fight) and went on to successfully defend it against Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort. He dropped the belt to Luke Rockhold at UFC 194 and saw mixed results for the remainder of his career.

In April 2021, Weidman suffered a freak leg injury in a fight against Uriah Hall that threatened to end his career, but he returned to fight in his native New York at UFC 292 over two years later. Though he lost to Brad Tavares, he rebounded with a decision win over Bruno Silva, before losing to Eryk Anders at UFC 310 this past December, which would turn out to be the final fight of his career.

“It’s been a ride,” Weidman said. “From being an undefeated world champion and being able to beat one of the greatest of all time in Anderson Silva, and then being able to defend my belt three times against some of the greatest legends of the sport. Even from the amount I’ve learned about myself in dealing with adversity and injuries, I’ve had 30 surgeries. I put my body through a lot and to be able to overcome a lot of that was always tough.

“I’m just proud that the UFC gave me an outlet to compete against some of the best guys in the world. I’m proud of the résumé and the type of guys I was able to fight, I respect them all so much.”

Weidman was a standout wrestler for Hofstra University and was viewed as a blue chip prospect coming out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team in Long Island, N.Y. He made his UFC debut with just four pro bouts under his belt and defeated 24-fight veteran Alessio Sakara in his first octagon appearance.

Though Weidman is leaving a hint of a possibility that he might fight again, he sounds content with his decision for now.

“It’s weird, it’s kind of part of your identity,” Weidman said. “You’ve got to move on, so I’m opening up the new chapter of my life and I’m excited about the future and I’m leaving the door open for opportunities, any big opportunities out there, but we’re moving on to see my life develop in different ways.”