Chris Weidman, the former middleweight champion, is set to make his return to the UFC octagon. He is expected to face Brad Tavares at UFC 292, which will take place on August 19 at the TD Garden Arena in Boston. This news was confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the UFC’s plans following an initial report from Newsday.
Weidman’s comeback fight comes after a gruesome compound fracture and broken leg suffered during his bout against Uriah Hall in April 2021. The injury occurred just seconds into the fight when Weidman threw a kick, resulting in his leg snapping upon impact and leaving him in excruciating pain on the canvas. He underwent surgery to repair the damage, including the placement of a rod and a plate in his leg, and continued his rehabilitation with the goal of returning to the sport.
In a recent grappling match in March, Weidman fought back tears after his participation, reflecting on the challenging past two years. He expressed gratitude for being able to compete again and put on a show for the audience, regardless of the outcome.
As for his upcoming opponent, Brad Tavares, the 35-year-old veteran aims to bounce back from two consecutive losses in his recent fights, including a first-round TKO defeat to Bruno Silva in April. Tavares has a record of 2-2 in his last four UFC fights, with victories over Omari Akhmedov and Antonio Carlos Junior.
The main event of UFC 292 features Weidman’s longtime friend and teammate, Aljamain Sterling, who will defend his bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley.