UFC 261: Uriah Hall targets redemption against Chris Weidman, and a top-five ranking
- ‘Somehow we ended up right kind of where we needed to be,’ says Hall ahead of rematch more than 10 years in the making
- Middleweight contender looks to make a statement against former UFC champ Weidman, who handed him his first defeat
Uriah Hall is ready to get redemption at UFC 261 on April 24.
Competing in just the second rematch of his 25-fight career, Hall (16-9) faces the first man to defeat him, Chris Weidman (15-5), on Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida.
“It’s business,” Hall said at Wednesday’s media day. “That’s all it is. Listen, fighting is about whoever is left standing, nothing else. It was a moment in my past. He capitalised on it. He had a different route to get where he is. He became world champ, had a few successes. I had a separate route, as well. I became the ultimate guy in ‘The Ultimate Fighter’. It’s a story. Somehow, we ended up right kind of where we needed to be.”
The Jamaica-born middleweight contender had initially targeted Darren Till after racking up three consecutive victories. But Hall knew it was inevitable he and Weidman would cross paths again at some point.
As rough as 2020 was for everyone amid the global pandemic, it was no different for “Primetime” who battled through personal struggles of his own. However, he made it through and largely credits his coach at Fortis MMA, Sayif Saud.