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Chris Weidman facing long recovery after breaking leg

ufc26 April 2021 20:18| © Reuters
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Chris Weidman © Gallo Images

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is facing a recovery period of up to a year after badly breaking his right leg during Saturday's bout against Uriah Hall.

Weidman said in an Instagram video that both the tibia and fibula were broken. He said surgeons inserted a titanium rod in the leg.

The timetable Weidman outlined gives him a slight chance of returning to the Octogon later this year.

"I'm going to get through this," Weidman said. "I think it's going to be eight weeks until I can walk without crutches and stuff, and drive and all that. As far as actual training, I don't know. They said between six and 12 months I'll be good to go."

Weidman was injured in the opening seconds of the UFC 261 bout in Jacksonville, Florida., when he delivered a kick to Hall. He collapsed to the canvas as his lower leg snapped in a gruesome manner.

Medical personnel treated Weidman before he was taken out of the Octagon on a stretcher. He underwent surgery on Sunday.

Weidman, who turns 37 in June, said he was trying to remain positive about the situation.

"Trying to find the blessing in disguise and silver lining," Weidman said. "Honestly, as soon as it happened and I hit the floor, seeing what happened to my leg and the pain started hitting me, I was just trying to put my mind on something positive and coming out of this. I'm hopeful that's the thing that's gonna come out of it that's good. This is not fun. I can't believe what happened."

Weidman (15-6) has lost six of his last eight bouts after opening his career with 13 consecutive victories.

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