Former UFC champion Chris Weidman is returning to competition, not in the octagon but on the grappling mat.
Despite announcing his retirement from MMA earlier this year, Weidman remains eager to compete. “Grappling is something I’ve always had a passion for, coming from a wrestling background,” Weidman said in an interview. “Then I got really into jiu-jitsu when I first started training for MMA.”
Weidman explained that his UFC career prevented him from competing in grappling for many years. Now in retirement, he sees this match as an opportunity to scratch his competitive itch. “I’ve been a competitor for all my life, so that’s going to be a hard one to let go of,” he said.
The matchup with Downey intrigues Weidman. “I think Pat Downey is a great opponent. He’s a tough matchup, really good wrestler with great jiu-jitsu skills,” Weidman said. While Downey has a reputation for trash-talking, he’s been respectful toward Weidman, calling him a legend. Weidman, however, gave Downey permission to engage in some antics: “Don’t worry. He could do all the antics he wants. It’s all good. I got really thick skin.”
While many fans remember Weidman for his knockout victory over Anderson Silva, his grappling credentials are extensive. He won the Abu Dhabi trials in 2009 and considers grappling his “bread and butter.” Despite both men having wrestling backgrounds, Weidman suggested he might surprise fans with his strategy: “I wouldn’t be surprised if you see me sitting guard… I really don’t want to have a boring match.”
Weidman emphasized that he’s studying the ruleset carefully this time, having learned that lesson in previous grappling competitions.
When asked what fans can expect from the matchup, Weidman was candid: “Maybe I get thrown around. Maybe I throw him around. I’m very curious. I’m very open-minded to the results, but I’m going to give a hundred percent effort… I know he likes to throw people. I like to throw people too. So we ended up being in those types of positions. That should be fun.”
The “All-American” will face wrestler Pat Downey at Fury Professional Grappling 13 on May 23rd at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.
Former UFC champ & 2x All-American Chris Weidman headlocks then 2x IBJJF World champ Andre Galvao as Galvao attempts to take his back. Weidman qualified for this event – 2009 ADCC's – after winning trials with reportedly only 8 months of formal BJJ training.
📹@ADCC_Federation pic.twitter.com/jlRI1luGzn— Dan Sweeney (@DPSBreakdowns) February 9, 2023
