Reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, like many MMA fans, watched live as Chris Weidman shattered his leg against Uriah Hall in the first round of their UFC 261 pay-per-view (PPV) showdown last weekend in Jacksonville.
And his reaction pretty much sums up how most of us were feeling.
Adesanya, 31, was capturing “King of the Ring” kickboxing titles in his native New Zealand back when Weidman was still UFC champ, so no doubt he’s been following the “All American’s” career for several years, one not unfamiliar to broken legs.
Fortunately for Weidman, surgeons were able to repair his leg and he’s likely to be walking without crutches in just a few months, thanks to a metal rod inserted into his bones (see the X-rays here). His future in combat sports, however, remains to be seen.
As for “The Last Stylebender,” he’ll make his Octagon return against top contender Marvin Vettori at UFC 263 on June 12 (more on that here).