Chris Weidman is addressing the elephant within the room.
Earlier this month, the ‘All American’ introduced his retirement from blended martial arts throughout the UFC 311 weigh-in present. Weidman was given ample time to make the announcement, bringing an finish to a 13-year run contained in the Octagon that noticed him earn wins over Demian Maia, Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Kelvin Gastelum. Alongside the way in which, Weidman captured the middleweight championship and efficiently defended it 3 times.
Eight days later, Weidman is formally popping out of retirement.
Throughout Friday’s stay World Combat League draft, ‘All American’ was chosen by Staff New York because the seventh total decide and is anticipated to participate within the promotion’s inaugural common season when it kicks off in April.
Through the stay draft broadcast, Weidman provided some perception into his choice to chop his retirement brief one week after asserting it.
“The elephant within the room is I simply retired from UFC,” Weidman stated. “Lots of people thought I used to be finished preventing,” defined Weidman. “I didn’t know. I believed perhaps I’m finished preventing. I used to be form of open to different alternatives exterior of the UFC, however it needed to be good. This can be a league with quite a lot of guys I’ve a historical past with. You bought Luke Rockhold, you bought Gegard Mousasi, you bought Uriah Corridor.
“Rockhold was my first loss ever. That was a troublesome capsule for me to swallow. We have been speculated to rematch a bunch of instances in UFC, however it by no means occurred. So that may be a battle I’d like to have. It’s older dudes that I’ve quite a lot of historical past with. I like to compete and we make a complete lot of cash. It’s not one thing I actually really feel like I can say no to. It’s actually an thrilling time for me.”
Chris Weidman joined by 19 different fighters on Staff New York
Becoming a member of Weidman on Staff New York will likely be former UFC mild heavyweight contender Ovince Saint Preux, ‘Motown Phenom’ Kevin Lee, ex-bantamweight queen Holly Holm, BJJ specialist Dillon Danis, and former BKFC heavyweight champion Alan Belcher.
