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Video: UFC Fighter Suffers Awful Leg Injury During Fight
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 29, 2013
Modified Dec 29, 2013
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 29, 2013
Modified Dec 29, 2013
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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.”
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Anderson Silva
leg injury
legs
UFC
ultimate fighting championship
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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