Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove – USA TODAY Sports
Chris Weidman has undergone successful surgery on a broken leg suffered in his main card rematch against Uriah Hall at UFC 261 on Saturday night.
Just eighteen seconds deep into his main card re-run against Spanish Town native, Hall, former middleweight kingpin, Weidman suffered a horrific leg break — seeing his first attempted low kick partially checked by Hall, resulting in an immediate break upon impact.
Circling briefly, Weidman attempted his first significant strike of the night, firing a low kick off his right leg, which landed just partially below Hall’s knee. Breaking what appears to be his tibia and fibula in his right leg, Weidman immediately placed his weight back onto his leg, before falling to the Octagon canvas in excruciating agony. Referee, Herb Dean waved off the contest as Hall returned to his corner in a knelt. position, distraught.
With medical personnel entering the Octagon, per UFC play-by-play commentator, Jon Anik, Weidman’s right leg was immediately placed in a compression sleeve. With the attendees at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida gasping and visibly upset as a result of the injury, Weidman was wheeled away on a stretcher, before he was transported to a medical facility.
Following the event, UFC president, Dana White revealed at the post-fight press conference that Weidman was in a stable condition at a medical facility, where he was expected to undergo surgery on Sunday morning.
Posting an update amid a successful surgical procedure yesterday morning, Weidman’s wife, Mariva Weidman, thanked medical staff, detailing how the procedure was a success, posting a picture of the former undisputed 185-pound champion recovering in his hospital bed.
“Well, that was horrible,” Marivi Weidman wrote on her official Instagram. “Freak things happen in life and plans get crushed. It’s been a lonnnggg day but so happy. to finally see this man of mine post-surgery. Everything went well thank you Lord! Very thankful for the medical staff, UFC family @danawhite @reedharrisufc #allieraimondo, our management team @vaynersports @sarahzemonek and our family and friends here rallying to help with the kids.”
“My heart breaks for my husband because I know the work and dedication that he puts into his training every day and the great man that he is, so I only want the best for him. While this absolutely sucks in the moment and for some weeks to come, we are completely overwhelmed by the love and support we have far and wide and are very aware how blessed we are.”
“All of that overpowers the awfulness of this situation. We are blown away by our friends and family offering to hop on flights to come help us without hesitation. We are so grateful and love you all!! It’s been a crazy year so far but us Weidman’s are a force and covered in Grace and Mercy every day! We were reminded this year how precious each day is and I am so thankful to be spending another day on earth next to my love even if it’s in a hospital room far from home. #teamweidman“
Incredibly, Weidman’s horrific injury is almost a mirror image to an injury suffered by former middleweight champion, Anderson Silva at UFC 168 in December of 2013. Rematching Weidman for the middleweight crown off the back of a second round knockout loss that July, Silva suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg, after Weidman checked a low kick attempt in the second round.
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