Weidman suffered a gruesome leg break after throwing the first kick of the fight in his main card bout against Uriah Hall at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville on Saturday night. The fight ended instantly as Weidman crumpled in agony to the canvas, and the former middleweight champion had to be stretchered out of the arena. According to a post-fight update from ESPN, Weidman was admitted to a hospital and will have surgery on Sunday.
The injury was eerily similar to the one Silva suffered throwing a leg kick against Weidman in their championship rematch at UFC 168 in December 2013. “The Spider” recovered to fight seven more times in the Octagon before parting ways with the promotion late last year.
On Saturday, Silva sent a heartfelt message of support to his former opponent on social media.
“My deepest and most sincere sentiments champ,” Silva wrote. “Have faith, I wish you a speedy recovery. In this moment I wish you and your family light, love and knowledge. To the fans of the sport, please respect this moment of this incredible warrior and let's wish that he is 100 percent very recovered soon. May God bless you and your family.”