UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman will undergo minor surgery on both of his knees on Tuesday, according to a report from Ariel Helwani on UFC Tonight.
The injury to Weidman’s left knee stems from a lingering issue from Weidman’s high school days, in which his lateral meniscus would lock in the joint and cause him severe pain. According to Weidman, the problem recurred twice over the past week, lasting upwards of 10 to 15 minutes in the most recent instance, which led him to seek the advice of doctors and ultimately schedule an arthroscopic scope procedure to clean up the tear.
Weidman also plans to undergo similar surgery to clean up and repair a meniscal tear in his right knee.
Altogether, Weidman anticipates a four-week rehabilitation period before he can return to active training, although he expects to be able to walk out of surgery under his own power.
Complications from the dual injuries forced Weidman to postpone his scheduled title defense against former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, from May 24 at UFC 173, to July 5 at UFC 175, which UFC officials announced earlier this week.
A replacement main event for UFC 173 has yet to be finalized.
Weidman would have undergone both surgeries this week, however his doctor, Dr. Answorth Allen, is the team physician for the New York Knicks, and the NBA squad is currently traveling on the west coast.
Of course, upon discovering that the second defense of his UFC title had to be postponed, Weidman did what any red-blooded American does in a time of trouble — he went to McDonalds and drowned his sorrows in a few greasy burgers.