Chris Weidman didn't tell anyone that retirement was on his mind before his fight with Bruno Silva at UFC Atlantic City.
The former UFC middleweight champion admitted that despite previously saying his future depended on getting through training camp without major injury or severe pain, that was not the case. Instead, Weidman confessed: MMA hour That his performance against Silva ultimately decided whether he continued to fight.
“If I hadn't performed there, I probably would have retired,” Weidman said. “if [Silva] I think he thought he was going to put the gloves down because he pounced on me and beat me to the punch. She hadn't said that to her wife or anyone else, but in the back of her mind she was thinking, [ready to retire]”
Looking back at camp, Weidman couldn't have imagined a better preparation for the fight. Unlike when he first returned from a broken leg last August, Weidman felt better this time around than ever before, but that didn't mean it all translated into games.
That's why Weidman kept thoughts of retirement to himself. He knew those around him saw how much he improved between games, but the result still mattered most.
“All of my training partners, my coaches, everyone thinks I'm better than I've ever been,” Weidman said. “They can't believe how good I am. They think I'm one of the best guys in the world again, but in my head I've already done everything. , and I'm like I know my potential. I know what they're looking at. I know I could be there with whoever.
“But if I can't put it together in the cage in front of everyone in the UFC, I'm not going to do it anymore. So if I don't have a good performance, I think I'm done.”
Once the match started and Weidman was successful in all aspects of the match, his demeanor changed quite dramatically.
He outclassed Silva with his feet in nearly every exchange. He also threw his kicks viciously, something he had trouble doing in his first match against Brad Tavares.
It was a somewhat disappointing finish, with the eye poke rather than the attack effectively ending Silva's night, but Weidman knew he still had a lot left to do.
“I told myself I'm not going to retire,” Weidman said. “During training camp, he felt really good physically.
“I felt really good. If I don't perform there, I don't think it has to be the end of it.”
Now that he's determined to fight again, Weidman isn't necessarily in a rush to return, but he's also not opposed to building on his recent wins.
Although he is currently taking a much-needed break with his family, the 39-year-old has hinted at interest in potentially returning when UFC 302 takes place in New Jersey on June 1st.
“We’ll see what happens,” Wideman said. “I'm going to take a week off. I'm going to go back to the gym. I'm coming out feeling better. I'm going to go back to training and try to improve and see what happens. There's another game against Jersey in June. I know there is.
“I'm telling you, the love I got from that crowd, I know everyone on Twitter hates me now, but if you were in the arena that night, you would have loved me.” It must have been great there. The crowd was really great. I think it was a great experience for everyone there. It was a fun time. So, especially in Atlantic City, and in New Jersey, 100 percent, we're going to the Northeast. love and things worked out for me.”
