Chris Weidman was willing to take a wide range of matchups in the middleweight division in order to salvage the opportunity to compete on May 2.
Weidman (14-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC), the former UFC champ at 185 pounds, was supposed to fight Jack Hermansson in Oklahoma City. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic threw the UFC calendar into madness, though, and travel restrictions prevented Hermansson from entering the U.S. from Europe, where he resides.
Ultimately, the May 2 card – along with all other UFC events – was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis. There was a period where the UFC was still pursuing putting on events, though, and during that time Weidman claims he accepted Edmen Shahbazyan, and subsequently Yoel Romero, as replacement opponents (via Twitter):
Although Hermansson was no joke of a matchup, the alternative options would have been no joke for Weidman, either.
Shahbazyan (11-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is an undefeated rising star in the UFC who has impressed in each of his octagon appearances thus far. Weidman would’ve been a major step up in competition for the 22-year-old, but it didn’t materialize.
A clash with Romero (13-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) would’ve represented a rematch of one of Weidman’s worst career losses. They met at UFC 205 in November 2016, with Romero scoring a brutal flying-knee knockout in the third round.
Unfortunately, as of now, it appears Weidman won’t be fighting anyone at all next month.
.jpg?w=600)
