UFC News: Chris Weidman shuts down talk of retirement - "I'm still capable of some big things"
Chris Weidman is 1-5 in his last six fights, all of his losses being via knockout. There's no doubt that the former UFC Middleweight Champion has only fought a row of killers, but the constant knockouts have gotten many to question whether he has it in him to continue his career in MMA.
Weidman was recently on Ariel Helwani's MMA Show and shut down any talk of retirement, saying:
"Definitely continuing to fight, that’s not in question at all... I’ve been through hell, I’ve had 23 surgeries, but I feel good right now, I know that sounds crazy... I feel like I’m still capable of some big things." (H/T Aaron Bronsteter of TSN)
Weidman was last knocked out by Dominick Reyes in his Light Heavyweight debut. With that win, Reyes has earned a title shot against Jon Jones and will be competing for the title in the main event of the February 2020 PPV.
As of now, Weidman doesn't seem sure as to whether he's going to return to Middleweight or stay at Light Heavyweight:
"I’m not sure if I’m going to go back to down to 185 or stay at 205.”
Weidman faces a dilemma that his old rival Luke Rockhold faced. When jumping up to 205 pounds, he has a size disadvantage. However, at Middleweight, he has to cut a lot more weight, which is naturally more stressful to him during training camp.
Hopefully, Weidman makes the right decision and takes a step down in competition. He's faced nothing but elite-level fighters for years and his chin hasn't been able to hold up that well. Following his last devastating knockout loss, many called for Weidman to retire, but the former Champion is determined to keep going and push through.
He stated his interest in a quick turnaround, so expect a return in early 2020.