JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Uriah Hall is now part of one of the worst in-fight injuries in UFC history.
Hall gave former middleweight champion Chris Weidman a gruesome leg break after checking one of his leg kicks early in the opening seconds of their main card fight Saturday at UFC 261.
Hall (17-9 MMA, 10-7 UFC) hit a common defense to a leg kick, which rarely can lead to a shin injury and sometimes even a break. Unfortunately for Weidman, his shin broke on impact. When he went to plant his foot, he fell on the canvas in excruciating pain, putting an immediate end to the bout.
“I’m very articulate with blocking and you don’t have to pick your leg up too high. It’s just driving it in at the right spot,” Hall told reporters at the UFC 261 post-fight news conference. “I heard a click. I thought it was a slap, but I didn’t feel the slap on my calf, so that’s got to be his bone. And when he landed, it clicked in. To be honest, it was just Anderson Silva when he landed. It was weird. It was so weird. I just pictured Anderson Silva. I wish him well.”
Chris Weidman lies on the mat after breaking his leg at UFC 261. (Alex Menendez, Getty Images)
It was a horrific scene, and it’s one of the worst injuries an athlete can sustain in the cage. Anderson Silva infamously broke his leg fighting, ironically, Weidman back in 2013. It was the same technique that led to his injury and defeat.
Hall is disappointed in not being able to fully fight and avenge his loss to Weidman from 10 years ago. He also feels bad for Weidman, as he respects his fellow New Yorker.
“It sucks on both of our parts, the preparation leading up to this,” Hall said. “The only thing I can do is wish him well. I have respect for him. I know we’re both in the same state, and I felt like the media was trying to build something up, but I felt like we both had respect for each other because we both played a part in molding each other to bring us to where we are right now. Like I said out there, I wish him a good recovery, and I owe him a fight. There’s nothing bad, and it’s just respect. I hope he’s ok. It’s very unfortunate, and I just wish him and his family well.”
