Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, praised for his wrestling and responsible for one of the UFC’s biggest upsets, has been announced as the next inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Weidman’s induction into the Hall’s 2026 class was announced during UFC 328.
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Chris Weidman Joins UFC Hall Of Fame Class Of 2026
Weidman was a standout wrestler at Hofstra University, earning the All-American status that served as the basis of his nickname. Weidman made his MMA debut in 2009, winning his first four bouts with Ring of Combat before joining the UFC.
Weidman won five straight, including wins over Demian Maia and Mark Munoz, before challenging then-longtime reigning middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 163.
At that event, Weidman produced one of the UFC’s most memorable moments, knocking out a taunting Silva in the second round to become the new champion. Weidman then won the UFC 168 rematch after Silva broke his leg during the second round.
Weidman then defended the gold against Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida before losing to Luke Rockhold at UFC 194. Weidman would only win three more times in his MMA career.
Weidman also suffered a nasty leg break, as Silva did before him, suffering the injury against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. He’d successfully come back two years later, showcasing a major display of heart and determination to compete again.
Weidman’s last fight came at UFC 310, losing to Eryk Anders.
Weidman joins a Hall of Fame Class of 2026 that also includes Thomas Gerbasi, Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk I, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, Dominick Cruz, and Forrest Griffin Community Service Award winner Alex Pereira.