Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: UFC Fighter Suffers Awful Leg Injury During Fight
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 29, 2013
Modified Dec 29, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 29, 2013
Modified Dec 29, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
UFC fighter Anderson Silva suffered a gruesome leg injury that prematurely ended last night's title fight against Chris Weidman. Weidman, who hails from Long Island, successfully defended his UFC title after Silva broke his shin on a kick to Weidman's knee in the second round at UFC 168 Saturday night. "There's no real excitement in a fight finishing like that, because you never want to see anyone get hurt like that," Weidman said. Warning: don't watch if you are squeamish about legs getting turned into limp noodles.
"As soon as I checked it, I knew I checked it right, and he was going to be in a lot of pain," Weidman said. "As soon as he put his foot down and I saw him fall, I knew it was over." The move Weidman used is called “The Destruction,” which is when a fighter crashes his knee into an opponent’s leg kick. “I’ve done it a couple times in sparring and guys take some time, about a minute off, and they walk around and they’re OK,” Weidman added. “It stops them from kicking you, but to break someone’s leg? I’ve never done that before.”
Silva was immediately taken to a local hospital after the fight, where he had surgery on his left leg. An intramedullary rod was inserted into his left tibia, according to a statement from the UFC. The broken fibula was stabilized as well and a second surgery will not be necessary.
“There’s nothing worse than breaking your leg like that,” UFC President Dana White said. “Well, there are worse things but it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened here.”
Tagged
Anderson Silva
leg injury
legs
UFC
ultimate fighting championship
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
New data shows suicide taking an outsize toll among Latino New Yorkers, even as overall deaths fell.
By
Jill Webb
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
The fight over a consolidation plan for a hospital in Hudson captures a trend throughout the state.
By
Samuel King
News
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
The fight over a consolidation plan for a hospital in Hudson captures a trend throughout the state.
By
Samuel King
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
By
Arya Sundaram
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
By
Arya Sundaram
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .