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Chris Weidman Highlights Major Change He's Made To Prepare For Second Outing Since Comeback From Leg Break: 'More Than Any Fighter...'

Originally posted on MMA News | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated 3/28/24

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has changed things up for his return to Octagon action this weekend in Atlantic City.

Weidman is scheduled to make the walk on Saturday's main card, where Brazilian Bruno Silva will await him inside the cage. The matchup will mark the American's second since returning from an injury layoff.

The ex-titleholder was sidelined after suffering a gruesome leg break against Uriah Hall at UFC 261 in 2021. Although the nature of the injury left many predicting that Weidman's career was over, he stepped back inside the Octagon at UFC 292 in Boston last August.

While returning was a success on its own, Weidman was unable to have his hand raised on the night, with Brad Tavares delivering a leg kick-fest en route to a one-sided decision victory.

Reflecting on that result, Weidman recently revealed that he and his team surprisingly hadn't anticipated Tavares' focus on his legs. That's despite not only the injury he was coming off of, but also the Hawaiian's history of frequent leg-kicking.

With that in mind, Weidman has focused on ensuring that there will be no surprises on March 30 at the Boardwalk Hall...

Weidman Reveals New Focus On Tape Study For UFC Return In Atlantic City

During his appearance at media day on Wednesday, Weidman noted his ignorance when it came to spotting Tavares' tendencies and anticipating his main offense at UFC 292.

And in that regard, the American doesn't plan on letting lightning strike twice, telling reporters that he completed more tape study of Silva than he has ahead of any other fight in his career.

"I watched more film of Bruno Silva than I have for any fighter I've ever fought, which is probably still less than most other fighters," Weidman said, with a laugh. "But for me, it was a lot."

The former champ will hope that the increased pre-fight homework pays dividends in Atlantic City, where the 39-year-old is targeting his first victory since 2020.

And should he deliver the kind of performance he is planning, Weidman anticipates some big fights coming his way at 185 pounds down the line.

He KO'd the former middleweight champ TWICE

This weekend @ChrisWeidman is BACK in the Octagon at #UFCAtlanticCity! pic.twitter.com/hTNhGml40z
— UFC (@ufc) March 27, 2024