Chris Weidman “Can’t Wait to Shut up The Haters”, is Heading Back to 185

Chris Weidman hoped to make a run at the UFC’s light-heavyweight crown, but after having that goal set back by the hands of Dominick Reyes, “The All-American’s” returning to middleweight. But, if you’re one of the people who believes Weidman’s championship days are done, it looks like he has a message for you.

Weidman plans to “shut up the haters”

After Weidman was knocked out by “Jacare” Souza in November, 2018, he decided to move up to light-heavyweight. The decorated wrestler had talked about fighting at 205 in the past. But, at the time, his loss to Souza was the fourth he had incurred in his last five fights. So, the former middleweight champ decided to move up, and he made it clear he had the light-heavyweight title in his sights.

But, as mentioned above, Weidman was taken out by Reyes at UFC Boston in October. Following the defeat, Weidman said a return to middleweight could happen, and more recently the 35-year-old shared out the following statement.

I’ve been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in my fight career. I really love what I do, and I believe I still have some great moments ahead of me! Can’t wait to shut up all the haters! To all the people that have supported me through the ups and the downs, I appreciate it more than you know. I am more motivated than ever and I know the future is bright. Hopefully getting a fight booked around April back in the MW division! #Blessed

Is this the right decision?

Since Weidman dropped four of his last 5 fights before facing Reyes, some fans are going to question whether he can make an impact at 185 any longer. It should be noted that all of those defeats came against top-tier middleweights. But, there are reasons to question whether Weidman can in fact, make another title run at this stage of the game.

So much so, following his loss to Reyes in October, UFC President Dana White said this (quote via MMA Junkie)::

“What he said tonight didn’t sound to me like he is considering retirement,” White said. “So it’s a conversation he and I definitely need to have. This was his move up to light heavyweight, which obviously didn’t go well for him. So maybe he goes back down to middleweight or he thinks about maybe retiring.”

Would Weidman possibly be better off taking one more bout at 205 to see how it goes? And not endure the cut to 185? Maybe. There’s no shame in losing to Reyes, as evidenced in how he did against Jon Jones at UFC 247.