Despite Recent Slump, Ex-UFC Champ Chris Weidman ‘Definitely Not Ready to Retire’

Chris Weidman lost for the fifth time in six Octagon appearances at UFC on ESPN 6, prompting many observers — including Dana White — to question whether the former middleweight champion should continue fighting.

“What he said tonight didn’t sound to me like he’s considering retirement,” White said at the UFC on ESPN 6 post-fight press conference. “So it’s a conversation that 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 thinks about maybe retiring.”

While Weidman’s light heavyweight debut against Dominick Reyes didn’t go as planned, “The All-American” has no designs on hanging up the four-ounce gloves.

“I’m hearing a lot of ‘you should retire’ comments, and I get where you are coming from based on the results of my recent fights,” Weidman wrote in a statement on Instagram. “It’s crazy because with a win over Reyes the chances of me fighting for the world championship were very strong. Now to be getting hit with the retirement talk is really a big swing for me to get used to hearing. I will tell you that I am [definitely] not ready to retire. I still love this and am very hungry to get back in there. I believe I have the abilities to still be world champion.

“I know some of you are shaking your head and laughing at me when I say that .. well screw you, and thanks for the motivation.”

Weidman’s lone victory during his current stretch came in July 2017, when he submitted Kelvin Gastelum in the third round at UFC on Fox 25. All of his five defeats have come via knockout or technical knockout, though they have occurred against top-flight competition — Reyes, Ronaldo Souza, Gegard Mousasi, Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold.

At the moment, the Serra-Longo Fight Team standout is unwavering in his belief that he will be able to turn things around.

“This fight I was coming off a year layoff, [two] major surgeries, and a weight class change. Way too much time out of the gym and I feel like that did play a role in this fight,” Weidman wrote. “The fact that I’m healthy right now and can get back in the gym is territory that I’m not used to.

“I will be back soon and I will look good doing it. Thank you everyone for your support and I’m sorry to let you down. This extreme low in my career will be part of my story, and I will finish on top.”

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I just want to let everyone know I’m all good just obviously bummed with the result. I knew Dom was a tough fight and he proved to be more than that with a beautiful timed left hand that put me down in the first. I jumped in with a right hand and the range was off and he capitalized. Sucks for me. As for what is next for me... I’m hearing a lot of “you should retire comments” and I get where you are coming from based on the results of my recent fights. It’s crazy because with a win over Reyes the chances of me fighting for the world championship were very strong. Now to be getting hit with the retirement talk is really a big swing for me to get used to hearing. I will tell you that I am def not ready to retire. I still love this and am very hungry to get back in there. I believe I have the abilities to still be world champion. I know some of you are shaking your head and laughing at me when I say that .. well screw you and thanks for the motivation. This fight I was coming off a year lay-off, 2 major surgeries, and a weight class change. Way too much time out of the gym and I feel like that did play a role in this fight. The fact that I’m healthy right now and can get back in the gym is territory that I’m not used too. I will be back soon and I will look good doing it. Thank you everyone for your support and I’m sorry to let you down. This extreme low in my career will be part of my story and I will finish on top. Thank you to my friends and family and sponsors @monsterenergy @cbdmd.usa @fellowshiphomeloans @medtronic who stand behind me in my high and low moments! Thank you to God for blessing me with all that I have and am so undeserving of. Everyday is a gift and I’m so thankful to be able to experience that gift even when my goals and desires aren’t met.

A post shared by Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) on Oct 22, 2019 at 8:13am PDT