Chris Weidman Explains No Fight with Anderson Silva on Paul-Joshua Card

ago 2 hours
Chris Weidman Explains No Fight with Anderson Silva on Paul-Joshua Card

Chris Weidman will not fight Anderson Silva on the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua card due to a training injury. Weidman, a former UFC middleweight champion, had anticipated stepping back into the ring for a third bout with Silva. This fight would have marked his first boxing match after a brief retirement from mixed martial arts.

Injury Details and Surgery

Originally scheduled for November, Weidman was set to box Silva on a card that included Paul and Gervonta “Tank” Davis. However, after changes to the fight lineup, including the cancellation of the Paul vs. Davis match, Weidman aimed to still compete on December 19. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious injury.

  • Weidman tore his bicep tendon while training.
  • He explained the injury occurred during a routine left hook.
  • Despite believing boxing was less taxing on his body than MMA, he sustained significant damage.

Weidman stated, “I didn’t think I could get hurt boxing. It was 95 percent torn, and I couldn’t push through the pain.” He underwent surgery to repair the tendon, resulting in his withdrawal from the upcoming fight.

Upcoming Fight Changes

Most Valuable Promotions quickly adjusted the fight card following Weidman’s exit. Silva will now face Tyron Woodley, a former UFC welterweight champion, in a boxing match on December 19 in Miami.

Future Plans and Hopes

Despite the setback, Weidman remains optimistic about a future matchup with Silva. He expressed excitement over his boxing training and hopes to heal quickly. “I was really excited. The boxing training was going well. I hope it happens in the future,” Weidman stated.

As the situation evolves, fight fans will be eager to see if Weidman can return to the ring to face Silva once he recovers.