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Chris Weidman’s fractured right leg is healed. His confidence in that leg, however, is not.
“[The] leg is probably at like a 6, maybe even a 5,” said Weidman in a one-on-one interview with Greater Long Island. “But it’s progressing really fast.”
On Aug. 24, 2021, Weidman suffered one of the most gruesome sports injuries in recent history.
After throwing a kick against Uriah Hall at UFC 261, his leg snapped as Weidman fell to the canvas. He had suffered a compound fracture.
Weidman shared the x-rays on Twitter, showing part of the bone actually coming through his skin.
You can watch the full video of his injury here. Warning: it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Weidman would have multiple surgeries on the leg, but nearly a year later, the Baldwin native is getting ready to step back into the octagon.
“Probably July,” he said last month. “At first, I thought June but I don’t feel confident yet with the strength of my leg for June.”
July would mark less than one year after the horrific injury occurred.
Weidman said while his conditioning and strength are excellent, he has not yet taken a shot to the leg nor has he used the leg for any power shots.
“It’s not something I’ll get over so I’ll have to deal with it for sure,” said Weidman. “I’m not yet comfortable with that right now.”
Weidman, who now lives in South Carolina, says there’s still some pain in the leg, but it’s manageable.
And as for managing his way around the octagon, Weidman said he can do it, without using his leg much anyway.
“I can beat anyone in the world without kicking one time,” Weidman said.
Weidman, who is regarded as one of the top UFC middleweights of all time, holds an MMA record of 15-6. His five KO finishes are all are by punches. He also has one TKO against Anderson Silva, who suffered an eerily similar leg injury. His other wins are by submission (4) and decision (5).
The right leg is Weidman’s back leg when he takes a fighting stance, so he warns that any opponent who tries to kick that leg “would be in trouble” from a position standpoint.
The former middleweight champion, who turns 38 this coming June, says he’s returning to fighting not just for “another fight” but rather another shot at glory.
“If I’m not at a high level, if I’m not in love with it, then it’s time to go.”
Time to go, with two good legs.
