Chris Weidman ready to get right back at it following big win
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman’s back was against the wall at UFC Vegas 6.
The former champ was riding a 1-5 record in his past six fights. A win was necessary in order to stay in the UFC’s elite.
Weidman knows just how big the win was last night.
“This is huge for me, man,” Weidman told reports, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC on ESPN+ 32 post-fight news conference. “I think this was a big moment for me to come back to the middleweight division to go against a guy who is very tough, and to come out with a hard-fought victory. I think that puts me right back into the middleweight division where I want to be.”
Many believed he was washed up and would lose to tough contender Omar Akhmedov. But Weidman didn’t lose the mentality which made him a champion in the first place.
“I’ve been through so much damn adversity and had so much critique on me, from being the undefeated world champion to never really feeling like I was getting the love or respect I deserved when I was on top,” Weidman said. “And then finally getting knocked down and then everybody trying to kick me when I was down. To overcome that is a championship mindset and a big part of my pushing though and continuing to do what I do is to help inspire other people. Life isn’t going to turn out the way you want all the time.”
Weidman is now 2-1 in his last three middleweight fights and looks to build off the momentum from last night.
“I’m ready to move pretty damn quick here,” he said. “I’m healthy. I’m ready to make a statement. I feel like I’m renewed and I’ve got a fresh start here.”
