Chris Weidman, after contemplating retirement due to a disappointing fight and the UFC’s reluctance to support another bout, announced his retirement but soon joined the Global Fight League, highlighting a surprising turn in his career.
Chris Weidman really thought his career was over. When the former middleweight champion announced his retirement during the weigh-in show for UFC 311 in January, he was serious about hanging up his gloves. It wasn’t the sequence of events he envisioned, but at 40, Weidman felt it was the best decision.
“After my fight with [Eryk] Anders, that fight for me was just awful in my mind,” Weidman explained to MMA Fighting. “I just was like what am I doing? What’s the point now?” He thought maybe one more fight and then retire. But he didn’t feel great in that fight. Not performing well, you know?
The UFC wasn’t exactly thrilled with his plan. They were okay if he left and did his own thing, though. While it wasn’t the exit he’d imagined, Weidman understood their hesitation after his lackluster outing against Anders.
That fight ended with a second-round knockout, Anders landing punches that forced the ref to stop it. A bad night for Weidman. As much as he wanted another chance, he got why the UFC was against it.
“Really, when I talked to my wife right afterward, I’m like I think I’m done,” Weidman said. “I’ll just retire and then maybe I’ll do one more.” By then, even the UFC suggested he might be better off retiring.
Their point? If he won another fight on the prelims, he’d want more. Never truly happy with a last fight. The UFC needed room for new talent. He got it; at his age, not the best spot for him.
Ultimately, Weidman got time on the weigh-in show to announce his retirement and reflect on his career—a lengthy segment not afforded to many others. It wasn’t how he’d pictured his final appearance but understood the promotion’s hesitancy.
Truth is, while understanding the UFC’s stance on ending his career, one moment really bugged him. “The one [moment] that did bother me…” Weidman revealed. He was supposed to open UFC 309’s main card but got moved to prelims last minute.
He was excited to open a pay-per-view in NYC! But they had their reasons. In his mind, being on a different slot would’ve changed everything—but that’s not realistic.
Weidman didn’t even perform on that card; Anders fell ill with food poisoning. The matchup got pushed back to UFC 310 instead.
Suffering a loss—his third in four fights—left him in a tough spot, leading to retirement thoughts. Options still existed: maybe boxing like other ex-UFC fighters? But he believed he’d fought his last MMA bout.
Then came a twist! Just four days later, Weidman joined the inaugural draft class for Global Fight League—an upstart promotion with ex-UFC champs in a team format set to launch in April.
“The whole thing was a surprise,” Weidman said. He’d retired and kept doors open but didn’t expect MMA opportunities due to financial concerns.
He’d heard GFL money dried up; contracts already filled with big names. Thought it wasn’t an option until things started moving fast—and boom! He’s in GFL now.
Even when GFL showed interest, he hesitated initially. “My manager tried talking about it Monday and Tuesday; I didn’t want to rush decisions,” Weidman explained. Good money though! Got first contract Thursday and signed that night after review.
As for UFC’s reaction? They weren’t shocked by him signing elsewhere post-retirement announcement. “They brought it up—’if you can make money elsewhere in MMA or boxing, go for it,'” Weidman revealed.
No real discussions before closing doors with them; they supported whatever choice he made next.