Former UFC Champion Chris Weidman Moving Up

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is heading to light heavyweight.

Weidman confirmed the news during an interview with MMAjunkie backstage at UFC 238. He has been recovering from surgeries.

“I’ve had two back-to-back surgeries, I’m coming off a loss, and I’m just like, my weight’s going kind of high,” Weidman said. “I’ve accomplished my goals at (185 pounds). I’ve had that belt wrapped around me four different times. I really wanted to get it back, and I’m not saying the door is totally shut on that idea. I’m not saying the door is totally shut on ’85, but the weight cuts are tough, and I kind of want to see what my body is like without depleting itself.”

Weidman is 14-4 overall and 10-4 with the UFC. Among his wins include two victories over Anderson Silva, with the first resulting in him becoming middleweight champion.

“I always wanted to go up to 205,” Weidman said. “The goal, when everything was good when I was undefeated and champion of the world, the goal was to defend my belt a few times at ’85, move up to 205 and beat Jon Jones. That was always the goal, then things changed. You have to reevaluate your goals, and now I’m going up to 205.”