UFC News: Chris Weidman Reacts to Fouling Bruno Silva, Result to Be Appealed

Chris Weidman addresses the UFC Atlantic City controversy.

Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman returned to the win column last week at UFC Atlantic City, where he defeated Bruno Silva in a fight marred by controversy.

Despite an impressive performance from 'The All-American', Weidman managed to foul Silva several times, including a 1-2 eye-poke which secured his victory. Spectators would have thought Silva was clipped by a punch in the final moments of the fight, but replays revealed he was contesting the repeated fouls, and the referee was incorrect to call a TKO.

CHRIS WEIDMAN KNOCKS OUT BRUNO SILVA BY… EYE POKE?! 😳🇺🇸

Thoughts on the finish? Will it be overturned or is it a legit win? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/iIshMOtjy0

— Combat Buzz (@CombatBuzzX) March 31, 2024

The result was overturned during the broadcast, but not to a no-contest. The bout was scored and Weidman still walked away victorious. The American wrestler had choice words for his Brazilian opponent at the post-fight presser, remarking that Silva was "looking for a way out":

"I'll never question a guy who says he's [been] poked in the eye," Weidman said. "But you can't just drop every time you feel something touching your eyeball. He [Silva] poked me in the eye bad one time, and I stood there, took it, and unless the ref's gonna say something I don't drop. .... You can't look to the ref for things, they're not gonna help you. .... [Was he] looking for a way out? I don't know, but you can't just turn your back and fall to the ground every time that your eyeball feels poked."

Bruno Silva to Appeal Chris Weidman Fight Result

Weidman is addressing the fact he did foul his opponent, and many fans believe the result should be overturned. The person campaigning the most for a no-contest is Silva, who plans to appeal the decision.

Chris Weidman fouled Bruno Silva four times in one round at UFC Atlantic City / Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

During an interview with MMA Fighting the night after the fight, Silva explained his frustration with the referee, and his plans to appeal the decision:

"That referee was bizarre," Silva admitted. ".... The least they could do is a no-contest. No way. He put his finger inside my eye. .... We think it's hard for Chris Weidman to accept a rematch, but the no-contest would be fair. Let's see what the UFC does. I just want things done the right way, the fair way.

"I went to the medicals backstage and my cornerman said they had changed the result and I felt relieved because there was no knockout. I thought they were going to rule it a no-contest, but then he said it was a unanimous win. I didn’t understand it. He poked me in the eye in the second round, poked me in the third, and it’s still a unanimous decision win for him?" (h/t MMA Fighting)

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