Chris Weidman’s brutal leg break: Update
Over 7 years ago at UFC168, a pop was heard around the world. Chris Weidman had defended his middleweight championship for the first time against the very man he took it from, Anderson Silva. Just 1:16 into the second round Weidman was celebrating the TKO victory, while Silva was writhing in pain. The pop heard wasn’t the crowd or a specific shot, it was the crumbling of Silva’s calf. He had broken his leg off of a checked inside leg kick and all that was left holding it together were muscles, ligaments, and skin.
As his foot seemed to flail uncontrollably with every movement, Weidman ran around the cage in celebration. Weidman was met with great criticism, but nevertheless, he was proud of himself. After all, he had just defeated arguably the greatest middleweight for the second time in his career and managed to retain his belt. The stakes were high. He applied the appropriate block and claimed the leg break “was no accident.” Regardless, there was no humility on Weidmans end, and next to no sympathy for Silva in the moment.
What was once an afterthought of Weidman’s career seemed to live on as some form of karma or curse. In the years that followed, Weidman lost his belt, tried his hand at 205lbs, and went back to 185lbs. He then found himself in a rematch against Uriah Hall. The two had squared off nearly 11 years prior, where they were both undefeated fighters at 3-0 and 4-0 respectively. The bout saw Weidman win by first round TKO moving Hall to 4-1 with the first loss of his career.
This time, Hall was looking to avenge his loss. The fight began with both men patiently waiting for their shot to come, as professionals do. Weidman threw a feinted jab to disguise the outside calf kick. Hall is a prolific striker and is detailed in the art of defence, he checked the kick, driving his knee into Weidman’s calf. The scene was all too reminiscent of UFC 168, both incidents ironically involved Weidman, but this time he was the one writhing in pain. Whether a curse or karma, it had come full circle. Uriah had a visceral reaction to the outcome and seemed sick and nearly traumatized by what had just happened. He knelt on the opposite side of the cage facing away from Weidman, almost refusing to look.
Hall continuously expressed his disappointment in the outcome as well as his respect and empathy for Weidman. He handled the situation like a true professional. In the post-fight interview he commented about how he’s a proficient blocker and has had this happen to a teammate in the past. He said all he thought about was the Silva situation, saying all he could picture was the traumatic event that happened nearly 8 years ago. In his octogan inteverview he commented about how Weidman was the first man to introduce him to fear, the first to scar him, and how Weidman was the first to defeat Silva and he was the last.
Weidman raised a hand on his way out to signal to the crowd that he was okay and the crowd roared in response. Stephen Thompson and Ray Longo, who were in Weidman’s corner, accompanied him to the hospital where he would undergo surgery the following morning. Thompson had confirmed on his recent podcast that Weidman had indeed suffered a double compound fracture, the same injury as Silva.
A compound fracture is a single clean break through the bone that can or has punctured the surrounding tissue. It is also referred to as an open fracture. I have experienced this type of fracture as a result of a baseball slide but would compare it more to the injuries experienced by Cro-Cop or Alexey Oleynik. I received a 14 inch titanium rod that ran from my foot into my leg with three screws to secure the fibula on the outside. In an update provided by Weidman, we learn that he had a similar surgery. However, his titanium rod runs from the pateller joint in his knee throughout his entire tibia, fastened with screws.
The recovery time is 6-8 weeks, and he’ll be training again in 6-12 months. In my experience, overcoming an injury of this magnitude requires mental toughness and willingness to push yourself in uncomfortable situations. As an MMA fighter and a decorated athlete who has suffered multiple injuries and endured many surgeries, he’s likely going to come back with a vengeance. It would be an extremely disappointing way to finish your career, and Silva has already shown it to be possible even in his 40’s, though he was never the same after that kick himself.
On his podcast Thompson mentions that he spoke to Weidman about this situation and told him he wouldn’t let him go out like that. His brother, Tony, went on to say that he knows Weidman could never throw a leg kick ever again but that it would not change his game. He could box you wrestle you and submit you. The leg kick was just extra and he still has a chance to be great again. The brothers have extensive insight on Weidman as Tony is married to Weidman’s sister and they consider each other as close as brothers, in addition to being in-laws.
Weidman has talked about the outpouring of support and is going to attempt to document his recovery in order to keep everyone updated. Check out what he had to say below.
