Chris Weidman's Highly Anticipated Boxing Return Against Anderson Silva Scrapped Due to Bicep Tendon Tear

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman’s planned boxing debut and a highly anticipated third encounter with long-time rival Anderson Silva has been formally called off, with the fighter confirming a significant bicep tendon injury sustained during training. The setback, which necessitated immediate surgery, prevents Weidman from participating in the December 19 event in Miami, an occasion that was intended to mark his return to competitive action following a period of professional uncertainty. The news arrived as a considerable disappointment for combat sports enthusiasts, who had eagerly awaited the continuation of one of mixed martial arts’ most iconic rivalries in a new discipline. Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by Jake Paul, has since announced a replacement opponent for Silva, with former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley stepping in to face "The Spider" on the same card.

Weidman, 39, detailed the specifics of the injury and his subsequent struggle to an audience via Instagram, expressing a degree of incredulity regarding the nature of the setback. "I didn’t think I could get hurt boxing," Weidman admitted, contrasting the perceived physical demands of boxing with the multifaceted rigors of mixed martial arts. "It’s so much easier on the body compared to MMA." The injury, a torn bicep tendon, occurred unexpectedly during a sparring session. Weidman recounted the moment with stark clarity: "I was sparring some professional boxer and in the first one-minute, I threw not even a hard left hook and my bicep just popped." This seemingly innocuous motion resulted in a severe tear, estimated to be 95 percent complete. The immediate aftermath involved intense pain and a rapidly escalating impairment of his left arm’s function, effectively compromising his ability to punch or even maintain defensive posture.

Despite the initial severity, Weidman attempted to navigate the injury through rest and rehabilitation, hoping to push through for the scheduled fight. However, the nature of the tear presented an insurmountable obstacle. "It was 95 percent torn and because there was a bit of tendon left, it was just too painful. I couldn’t get through it," he explained. Weidman speculated that a complete tear might have been more manageable post-inflammation, potentially allowing him to compete with a weakened arm before undergoing surgical repair. This partial attachment, however, created persistent, debilitating pain that rendered effective training impossible. "Every time I would give it rest and try to give it a shot to train again, I would feel good shadow boxing and stuff and then as soon as I would speed up my punches, it was really bad pain and then I couldn’t even hold my arm up for defense anymore." The recurring pain and functional limitation ultimately led to the difficult decision to withdraw from the bout and proceed with surgery to repair the damaged tendon, confirming his absence from the December card.

The planned boxing match represented a significant crossroads in Weidman’s career. With a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 7 losses, Weidman had briefly hinted at retirement from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after suffering a gruesome leg fracture against Uriah Hall at UFC 261 in April 2021. That career-altering injury, which eerily mirrored the one he famously inflicted upon Anderson Silva years prior, marked a challenging period for the former champion. After a lengthy rehabilitation, Weidman had inked a deal with the fledgling Global Fight League (GFL), a promotion that promised high-profile matchups. Among these was a highly anticipated rematch against Luke Rockhold, another former UFC middleweight champion whom Weidman had previously defeated. However, the GFL’s ambitious plans unraveled quickly due to funding issues, leading to the effective shutdown of operations before its initial cards could materialize. This left Weidman once again awaiting a viable opportunity to compete, after his last official MMA bout in April 2021.

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The offer to face Anderson Silva in a boxing ring emerged as precisely such an opportunity, reigniting a storied rivalry and offering Weidman a chance to make his professional boxing debut. The initial scheduling placed the bout in November on a card headlined by Jake Paul against Gervonta "Tank" Davis. Following the postponement of the Paul-Davis event, the Weidman-Silva clash was rescheduled for December 19. The historical context of a Weidman-Silva third encounter cannot be overstated. Their initial two clashes in the UFC remain pivotal moments in the sport’s history, forever etched into the annals of MMA. Their first encounter, at UFC 162 in July 2013, saw Weidman deliver a stunning second-round knockout of Silva, who had been an almost mythical figure, reigning as the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion for an unprecedented 2,457 days across ten successful title defenses. Silva’s aura of invincibility was shattered by Weidman’s left hook, a moment widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in UFC history and the definitive end of arguably the greatest championship run the sport had ever witnessed.

The rematch, held just five months later at UFC 168 in December 2013, was equally, if not more, dramatic and devastating. In the second round, Silva threw a low kick that Weidman checked with his shin, resulting in a horrific tibia and fibula fracture for "The Spider." The visual of Silva’s leg snapping remains one of the most replayed and cringe-inducing moments in combat sports, a moment that fundamentally altered the trajectory of Silva’s career. Weidman’s two victories over Silva, while definitive, were punctuated by these memorable and impactful finishes, solidifying his place as the man who dethroned the legendary Brazilian. The prospect of seeing these two veterans settle their score a third time, albeit under boxing rules, offered a unique blend of nostalgia and competitive intrigue, promising a different dimension to their legendary rivalry.

Anderson Silva, now 48, has forged a remarkable second career in professional boxing since departing the UFC in 2020. With a professional boxing record of 3 wins and 2 losses (though boxrec.com lists 3-2, his prominent post-UFC record is 2-1 against professional boxers), Silva has demonstrated a surprising aptitude for the sweet science in his later years. His post-UFC boxing resurgence began with a dominant decision victory over former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June 2021, a performance that shocked many in the boxing world and showcased Silva’s refined striking skills and defensive prowess. He followed this with a first-round knockout of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz in September 2021, further cementing his legitimacy in the boxing landscape. Silva’s only recent boxing loss came against social media personality and nascent boxer Jake Paul in October 2022, a competitive eight-round affair that went the distance. Despite the loss, Silva’s performances have made him a sought-after opponent in the crossover boxing sphere, attracting significant pay-per-view interest due to his enduring star power and unique fighting style.

For Weidman, the journey has been considerably more arduous since his title reign. Following his landmark victories over Silva, he successfully defended his middleweight title against Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort, showcasing a well-rounded skillset that combined elite wrestling with powerful striking. However, a string of losses against top contenders such as Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero, Gegard Mousasi, and Ronaldo Souza, coupled with recurring injuries, marked a challenging period. His most recent outing against Uriah Hall, where he suffered the leg break, was a stark reminder of the brutal realities of combat sports and capped a period where he had lost five of his last seven fights in the UFC. Weidman’s resilience in returning from such a severe injury, and his willingness to step into a new sport against a fighter of Silva’s caliber, underscored his competitive drive and desire to prove himself anew.

With Weidman sidelined, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the promotional outfit behind Jake Paul’s boxing endeavors, moved swiftly to secure a replacement. Tyron Woodley, another former UFC champion with a professional boxing record of 0 wins and 2 losses, has been enlisted to face Silva. Woodley, 41, held the UFC Welterweight Championship from 2016 to 2019, successfully defending it four times against formidable opponents like Stephen Thompson (twice), Demian Maia, and Darren Till. After leaving the UFC with an MMA record of 19-7-1, Woodley transitioned to boxing, notably facing Jake Paul twice. He lost a split decision to Paul in August 2021 and was subsequently knocked out in the sixth round of their December 2021 rematch. While Woodley possesses significant knockout power in his right hand, his professional boxing outings have yet to yield a victory. The matchup against Silva, another striking specialist, offers Woodley an opportunity to secure a high-profile win and potentially revive his boxing aspirations. The Silva vs. Woodley bout is now officially scheduled for December 19 in Miami, adding another layer of intrigue to a card that has seen significant reshuffling.

Despite the immediate disappointment and the necessity of surgery, Weidman remains optimistic about his future in boxing and expresses a strong desire to revisit the matchup with Silva. "It sucks," Weidman lamented, reflecting on the timing and circumstances of his injury. However, his enthusiasm for the sport has not waned. "I was really excited. The boxing training was going well. Had a lot of fun doing it. Really fell in love with boxing," he stated. This newfound passion fuels his determination for a swift and complete recovery. "I’m hoping to get this thing healed up fast and get back into training and see if I could get that fight back with Anderson." The timeline for his return remains subject to the recovery process from bicep tendon surgery, which typically involves several months of rehabilitation before a full return to intense training and sparring. While the immediate future holds intensive physical therapy, the possibility of Weidman vs. Silva III in the boxing ring remains a tantalizing prospect for combat sports fans once Weidman is medically cleared to compete at an elite level.