Tag: Chris Weidman

“The Ship Has Sailed” UFC Icon Calls for Chris Weidman to Hang Up His Gloves

"The Ship Has Sailed" UFC Icon Calls for Chris Weidman to Hang Up His GlovesFormer UFC fighter and current commentator Paul Felder has spoken out about Chris Weidman’s future in mixed martial arts…

"The Ship Has Sailed" UFC Icon Calls for Chris Weidman to Hang Up His Gloves

Former UFC fighter and current commentator Paul Felder has spoken out about Chris Weidman’s future in mixed martial arts following his latest setback at UFC 310. Felder, who was once a fan of Weidman during his reign as the UFC middleweight champion, now believes it’s time for the legendary fighter to step away from the sport.

Chris Weidman

In a candid comment speaking on a podcast with Michael Bisping, Felder stated, “But I was a big Chris Weidman fan. I loved him when he was a champion. But I do think—I think that ship has sailed. I think it’s time for him to—dude, you’ve done so much in the freaking sport. I know money is always an issue when you’re an athlete, and you don’t necessarily have other things, but now is definitely the time to start thinking about, What am I going to do full-time post-being a UFC fighter? Because Father Time is there, and it’s knocking hard on his door.”

Chris Weidman, who gained worldwide recognition in 2013 when he dethroned Anderson Silva to become the middleweight champion, has struggled to regain his form in recent years, losses and a leg break recovery have weighed heavily on the US-born athlete. The loss at UFC 310 has led many to question his future in the sport, and Felder’s remarks echo the sentiment within the MMA community.

Despite his storied career, including notable victories over legends like Silva, Vitor Belfort, and Lyoto Machida, Weidman’s recent performances have been marred by injury and a series of tough losses. With Father Time seemingly catching up with him, the question now is whether Weidman can rebound or if it’s time for the former champion to transition into the next chapter of his life.

Anderson Silva Chris Weidman

Felder, who himself transitioned to a successful commentary career after his fighting days, offered support for Weidman’s legacy, urging him to consider his health and future beyond the octagon. “You’ve done so much in the freaking sport,” Felder added, urging the former champ to reflect on what lies ahead as he nears the end of his UFC tenure.

As discussions continue about Weidman’s future, many fans and fighters are mirroring the idea that it might be time for the veteran to walk away.

‘Time To Hang Them Up’ – Fans React As Eryk Anders Overcomes Knockdown To Stop Chris Weidman At UFC 310

After the matchup was postponed on fight day at UFC 309 last month, Eryk Anders was able to score a win over former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman to close out the early preliminary portion of UFC 310. Anders got off to a strong start with his striking to start the opening round. After a […]

After the matchup was postponed on fight day at UFC 309 last month, Eryk Anders was able to score a win over former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman to close out the early preliminary portion of UFC 310.

Anders got off to a strong start with his striking to start the opening round. After a brief timeout due to an illegal knee from “Ya Boi,” however, Weidman managed to score a knockdown and took control of the rest of the frame.

But in the second stanza, Anders managed to outwork the former champ in his specialty area — grappling. The 37-year-old controlled the pace on top and delivered ground-and-pound that, while not powerful and ruthless, slowly drowned and overwhelmed Weidman over the course of the round before the fight was stopped in the closing seconds.

MMA Fans React As Eryk Anders Finishes Chris Weidman With Ground-And-Pound

The ex-middleweight kingpin has now lost two of three fights since returning last year from the devastating leg injury he suffered at UFC 261 in 2021.

Anders, meanwhile, has now won three of his last four fights.

Eryk Anders Pounds Out a Second-Round TKO Against Chris Weidman – UFC 310 Highlights

Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders - UFC 310 HighlightsEryk Anders pounded out the biggest win of his career at UFC 310 on Saturday night. Just before the…

Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders - UFC 310 Highlights

Eryk Anders pounded out the biggest win of his career at UFC 310 on Saturday night.

Just before the two-minute mark of the opening round, Anders caught a kick from Weidman and caught the former champion with a head kick. Clearly compromised, Weidman attempted to evade leading Anders to shoot for a takedown. As Weidman attempted to defend with one knee on the mat, Anders unleashed a knee that caught Weidman in the head. Fortunately, Weidman appeared to be okay and the fight continued moments later.

Seconds into the resumed scrap, Weidman caught Anders with a left hook that sat ‘Ya Boi’ down. With a little bit of blood flowing from his right eye, Anders looked to ride out the remainder of the round on his back and keep Weidman from doing any more damage.

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The second round was a completely different story with Anders securing an early takedown on Weidman and pummeling the future Hall of Famer with a slew of ground-and-pound strikes. Anders switches to some elbows as Weidman does everything he can to defend and block the shots.

After allowing Weidman to take a beating for two and a half minutes, referee Mark Smith finally sees enough and brings a stop to the contest with 10 seconds left in the second stanza.

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Official Result: Eryk Anders def. Chris Weidman via TKO (ground-and-pound) at 4:51 of Round 2.

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Check out highlights from Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders at UFC 310:

Chris Weidman Discusses Not Getting Full Pay After Opponent’s UFC 309 Fight-Day Withdrawal

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman was left devastated and a sizable chunk of cash down when an illness to Eryk Anders scuppered his plans of competing at Madison Square Garden earlier this month. At UFC 309, Weidman was set for his second assignment of 2024 and third since returning from a gruesome broken leg […]

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman was left devastated and a sizable chunk of cash down when an illness to Eryk Anders scuppered his plans of competing at Madison Square Garden earlier this month.

At UFC 309, Weidman was set for his second assignment of 2024 and third since returning from a gruesome broken leg that had kept him out for two years. But his pursuit of a first win streak since 2015 will have to wait.

After completing his training camp, fight-week obligations, and successfully making weight, Weidman awoke on Saturday, Nov. 16, expecting to make the walk on MMA’s biggest stage for the 20th time.

But disaster struck just hours before his scheduled preliminary clash with Anders when a bout of food poisoning became too serious for the ex-American football linebacker to fight through.

That left a devastated Weidman off the card on late notice, with the New York State Athletic Commission rejecting the UFC’s attempts to book a same-day replacement opponent.

And worse still, it wasn’t just the chance to make it two wins on the bounce that the 40-year-old missed out on…

During a recent appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Weidman explained that while he is expecting to be ‘taken care of’ in some way financially, he won’t be getting his full purse.

The American admitted the situation is difficult to take, especially given his compensation would have already been set aside and is ultimately now being kept by the UFC.

“My show money is my win money, I have guaranteed money,” Weidman said. “So that was my point, ‘I showed up, you guys had that on the budget sheet to begin with, you guys made a great night, why do you guys keep that money and I don’t?’ That was my thought.

“Their thoughts were, ‘Listen, this happens on like 40 percent of the cards. If we pay people to not fight…’ They just want to be consistent on what they do in those situations,” Weidman continued. “That’s what I think they’ve decided to do consistently for their business.”

The situation is similar to that of Stephen Thompson last year. He made public his disappointment at not being paid for his canceled fight with Michel Pereira at UFC 291, which fell through when the Brazilian missed weight after “Wonderboy” had already successfully got under the welterweight limit.

Fortunately for Weidman, he won’t have to wait long to pick up a full check for sharing the cage with Anders. The pair’s clash has been rescheduled for UFC 310 in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, this time at a catchweight of 195 pounds.

Chris Weidman Discusses Not Getting Full Pay After Opponent’s UFC 309 Fight-Day Withdrawal

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman was left devastated and a sizable chunk of cash down when an illness to Eryk Anders scuppered his plans of competing at Madison Square Garden earlier this month. At UFC 309, Weidman was set for his second assignment of 2024 and third since returning from a gruesome broken leg […]

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman was left devastated and a sizable chunk of cash down when an illness to Eryk Anders scuppered his plans of competing at Madison Square Garden earlier this month.

At UFC 309, Weidman was set for his second assignment of 2024 and third since returning from a gruesome broken leg that had kept him out for two years. But his pursuit of a first win streak since 2015 will have to wait.

After completing his training camp, fight-week obligations, and successfully making weight, Weidman awoke on Saturday, Nov. 16, expecting to make the walk on MMA’s biggest stage for the 20th time.

But disaster struck just hours before his scheduled preliminary clash with Anders when a bout of food poisoning became too serious for the ex-American football linebacker to fight through.

That left a devastated Weidman off the card on late notice, with the New York State Athletic Commission rejecting the UFC’s attempts to book a same-day replacement opponent.

And worse still, it wasn’t just the chance to make it two wins on the bounce that the 40-year-old missed out on…

During a recent appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Weidman explained that while he is expecting to be ‘taken care of’ in some way financially, he won’t be getting his full purse.

The American admitted the situation is difficult to take, especially given his compensation would have already been set aside and is ultimately now being kept by the UFC.

“My show money is my win money, I have guaranteed money,” Weidman said. “So that was my point, ‘I showed up, you guys had that on the budget sheet to begin with, you guys made a great night, why do you guys keep that money and I don’t?’ That was my thought.

“Their thoughts were, ‘Listen, this happens on like 40 percent of the cards. If we pay people to not fight…’ They just want to be consistent on what they do in those situations,” Weidman continued. “That’s what I think they’ve decided to do consistently for their business.”

The situation is similar to that of Stephen Thompson last year. He made public his disappointment at not being paid for his canceled fight with Michel Pereira at UFC 291, which fell through when the Brazilian missed weight after “Wonderboy” had already successfully got under the welterweight limit.

Fortunately for Weidman, he won’t have to wait long to pick up a full check for sharing the cage with Anders. The pair’s clash has been rescheduled for UFC 310 in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, this time at a catchweight of 195 pounds.

Eryk Anders Reveals Reason For Fight-Day Cancellation Of UFC 309 Matchup With Chris Weidman

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman looked to finally break his run of bad luck in New York in his scheduled bout against Eryk Anders on the UFC 309 prelims this past weekend. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be following an announcement that happened during the broadcast of the early prelims at Madison Square Garden. Jon […]

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman looked to finally break his run of bad luck in New York in his scheduled bout against Eryk Anders on the UFC 309 prelims this past weekend. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be following an announcement that happened during the broadcast of the early prelims at Madison Square Garden.

Jon Anik stated once the card went live that Anders had been forced out of the fight due to a medical issue. As a result, the card continued with 12-bouts with Weidman releasing a video on social media to give his reaction to the news shortly after the fans found out.

The day after the promotion’s return to Madison Square Garden, Anders also posted a video on social media where he explained why he was forced to withdraw on such short notice. Anders states that he was suffering from food poisoning throughout Saturday so couldn’t make the walk on fight night.

Weidman was obviously looking forward to fighting in New York for what could have been the last time in his career but Anders was also incredibly disappointed to miss out on a huge opportunity for his career also. He secured a decision win over Jamie Pickett in March to return to the win column but beating Weidman would have been a big scalp for him.

“Status update- got food poisoning Friday night and there was no way I would have been able to go out there and compete,” Anders wrote. “Super upset I didn’t get to compete at MSG against a former champ. I seriously doubt that opportunity will come around again, but it is what it is. Hopefully we can get that matchup rebooked ASAP. Thank you all for the messages of concern.”