Chris Weidman (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Chris Weidman’s first fight since 2021 is scheduled to take place on the prelims of UFC 292 this Saturday, and the former middleweight champ has some issues with that placement.

The 39-year-old is booked to fight Brad Tavares at the event, which will mark the first time Weidman has fought since he broke his leg in his 2021 bout with Uriah Hall.

While speaking to ESPN ahead of the fight, Weidman let it be known he feels disrespected by the fact he won’t be part of the pay-per-view card (quotes via MMA Junkie.com).

“It’s kind of disrespectful, to be honest. I’m not going to pretend like it’s not,” Weidman said. “Like, to be out for two years, with a broken injury – I broke my leg on the mats in the UFC on a pay-per-view – first card ever since COVID, first fully packed arena in Jacksonville, (Fla.). (I) put my body on the line, and then they put me on a prelim?

“I’m going to show: That’s a bad idea. You know what? It probably works out better for everybody at the end of the day, because it’s a little bit of motivation. But all right mother-effers, you disrespect me like that? What, do you think I’m done? Do you think I’m here to just see how I feel? No. I’m here to make a statement.”

Prior to facing Hall, Weidman (15-6) recorded a decision win over Omari Akhmedov in 2020. Weidman has gone 2-3 in his last five contests.

The 35-year-old Tavares (19-8) is also looking to get back into the win column, as he’s coming off a stoppage loss to Bruno Silva in April.

UFC 292 will take place in Boston and will feature bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling versus Sean O’Malley in the main event.