UFC 261: Chris Weidman’s gruesome leg snap silences arena, Uriah Hall says ‘I hope he comes back from it’

The 36-year-old American breaks hiw own right leg in half after throwing the very first leg kick in rematch

‘I wish his family well if they are watching’ says ‘Prime Time’ Hall after official TKO win

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Fans are in shock after Chris Weidman broke his leg on the first kick of his bout against Uriah Hall at UFC 261 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonvilla, Florida. Photo: USA Today

Published: 11:42am, 25 Apr 2021Updated: 1:51pm, 25 Apr 2021

Warning: graphic content follows

Former UFC champion Chris Weidman’s route to middleweight resurgence ended in tragedy after suffering a grotesque leg break against contender Uriah Hall at UFC 261 on Saturday.

The 36-year-old’s (15-6) right leg snapped after throwing the very first kick of the bout – just 17 seconds in – leaving spectators in the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonvilla, Florida gasping in shock at the replay. Weidman appeared to fall back on the same broken leg, likely damaging it even further.

“All American” could be seen covering his face in disbelief while being wrapped up and stretchered out of the venue. It was a similar injury to one sustained by former opponent Anderson Silva in their rematch in 2013.

Hall (17-9) was also visibly disturbed by the incident. The 36-year-old Jamaican, who lost to Weidman won via first-round TKO in 2010, is on his own win-streak having beaten Silva via fourth-round TKO in October 2020.

UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall in the Octagon after Chris Weidman broke his leg on the first kick of their fight during UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo: USA Today

“I wanted to put on a performance but I feel so bad for him. I hope he’s OK, I wish his family well if they are watching. It’s the sucky part of this sport, it’s the hurt business. Believe me, they don’t see the fight outside the Octagon but I got nothing bad to say about him,” said “Prime Time” in the post-fight Octagon interview.