Chris Weidman, a former UFC champion who stunningly ended Anderson Silva's historic title run, will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer, the promotion announced Saturday.
Weidman, 41, became a star in July 2013, when he knocked out Silva at UFC 162 in Las Vegas. The New Yorker went on to defeat Silva a second time in an immediate rematch and defended the 185-pound title three times.
Weidman was a significant underdog when he faced Silva in Weidman's 10th professional appearance. A former NCAA Division-I collegiate wrestler at Hofstra University, Weidman shocked the world when he dropped Silva with a left hook in the second round. The loss snapped Silva's 16-fight win streak and UFC-record 2,457-day title reign.
They fought again five months later at UFC 168, and Weidman won again when Silva suffered a gruesome broken leg in the second round. Weidman defended his title against popular Brazilian contenders Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort. But Weidman also suffered a leg injury in a 17-second loss to Uriah Hall in 2021. Weidman returned from the injury two years later, before he retired from the sport in 2024.