Chris Weidman hopes to show he can nonetheless cling with the highest at UFC 309.
Weidman (16-7 MMA, 12-7 UFC) faces Eryk Anders (16-8 MMA, 8-8 UFC) in Saturday’s prelims (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.
The previous UFC middleweight champion is 1-1 since getting back from his grotesque damaged leg, most just lately selecting up a technical unanimous determination win over Bruno Silva at UFC on ESPN 54 in March. In accordance with DraftKings, Weidman is a slight +120 underdog in opposition to Anders, who’s a -142 favourite.
“Followers can anticipate an superior present,” Weidman mentioned on Episode 1 of UFC 309 “Embedded.” “I’m making an attempt to showcase my abilities, placed on an incredible show of blended martial arts and utterly dominate my man, and actually shock individuals. I’ve been gone for thus lengthy.
I’m 40 years outdated, I’ve had 30 surgical procedures, I’ve been by means of so much, in all probability one of many worst accidents within the historical past of the game with my leg breaking in half. To get to the opposite aspect and nonetheless have the flexibility to compete in opposition to the most effective guys on the planet is what I’m making an attempt to indicate.”
Weidman will compete in New York for the primary time since a knockout loss to Ronaldo Souza at UFC 230 in November 2018.
“Very excited to get again in there in entrance of a hometown crowd in New York,” Weidman mentioned. “Hopefully, a bunch of Lengthy Island dudes and women are there. I simply assume it is going to be a good time. It’s been some time since I fought in New York. So, to have the ability to come again there and placed on a present for everyone goes to be superior. I’m tremendous enthusiastic about it.”
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