Chris Weidman did not waste time jumping the ship after announcing his departure from the UFC.
As a new kid on the MMA block, the Global Fight League (GFL) tries to sweep as many notable names as possible, including the fighters fresh out of the UFC list like Weidman and Tony Ferguson. Weidman’s career has been approaching his end since his catastrophic break on the legs in 2021 against Uriah Hall; However, he has fought three times since, and instead of retiring after his last defeat – a KO in the second round at Eryk Anders – he left UFC and now joins GFL in the New York team .
Addressing “The Ariel Helwani Show” of UNCROWNED, Weidman explained how his involvement in the Upstart League met.
“I think it was just when my manager told me that it is probably not one thing,” said Weidman. “He called (GFL) and they were talking, but I didn’t think it was going anywhere, to be honest. I was cool with that anyway. It was really after things started to move quickly , which is weird.
“Everyone thought I was retiring. I left it open that I am open to other opportunities. I close the chapter with the UFC, I retire from the UFC, but I understand that many People thought I was just withdrawing from MMA – which did not know if I was. fans have always wanted to see for a long time.
The official introduction of GFL came last Friday when the promotion broadcast its live “draft”, revealing the 120 fighters of the six inaugural teams. According to the founder of GFL, Darren Owen, the promotion plans to launch his first event in April and can organize three shows in two days on weekends.
Even if he is part of the New York team, the former average weight champion of the UFC Weidman is still relatively in the dark of details, but he remains optimistic for another alternative to the strong UFC.
“I hope this thing takes place,” said Weidman. “I hope they succeed. It’s a very difficult business. I think you don’t really want to compete with the UFC. It shouldn’t be the goal. I don’t think it’s something that Can really be done at this stage, but I think there is a lot of room to earn a lot of money to wage great fights, so I don’t really know.
“The commercial side seems incredible for combatants, they do the right thing for combatants. I don’t know if (it will work in the long term). I hope it’s sustainable. I hope they are just very good guys and they looked at the figures, and they see how they could be profitable with this, and it is something that continues. Not only for me, but for the future, for MMA fighters. I think it is always good to have other promotions in which the fighters have the opportunity to fight, and you can earn a lot of money, and they do a lot of cool things, guy.
“They try to set up a retirement for the fighters, Medical for the Fighters and their families, 50/50 Share profit. I mean, they really put their money where their mouths are and try to do the best for fighters they can.
Weidman, 40, looked at his stock retail in his last five UFC outputs; In the end, he was fighting with non -classified fighters and fell to preliminaries. In the GFL, however, he is re -engaged by the idea of redemption against the ancient enemies – Rockhold, in particular.
In 2015, the unbeaten 13-0 race of Weidman met a brutal end at the 194 UFC with the kind authorization of Rockhold, which torn off the average weight of Weidman with an infamous Knock-out of fourth round. The stars never aligned themselves for Weidman to get his revenge match, but now he wants to finish this story in GFL.
“I would love Luke Rockhold, (that would be my first fight,” said Weidman. “We have the most history. I know I lost against these other guys, but that of Rockhold was my first loss. I lost my belt against him, we had animosity and all that. would be very interested in watching. with them.
It also does not hurt that GFL seems to open its portfolio for all these well -known names. While he refused to provide details, Weidman does not complain about the figures that arise.
“Oh yeah, yes, yes, very good. Very well, ”replied Weidman when asked if he was financially taken care of.
(Tagstotranslate) Chris Weidman (T) Luke Rockhold (T) Global Fight League (T) UFC (T) Uriah Hall
