The middleweight showdown between Chris Weidman and stirred up quite the controversy.
Weidman secured a victory over his Brazilian counterpart with a third-round stoppage due to strikes, but the match was overshadowed by preceding eye pokes.
This bout unfolded amidst the bustling energy of the UFC Atlantic City event in New Jersey on March 30, 2024, with Weidman, nicknamed ‘The All-American,’ clinching the win.
However, upon review, it became evident that Weidman’s strikes included multiple eye pokes directed at ‘Blindado,’ potentially influencing the eventual outcome.
CHRIS WEIDMAN KNOCKS OUT BRUNO SILVA BY… EYE POKE?! 😳🇺🇸
Thoughts on the finish? Will it be overturned or is it a legit win? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/iIshMOtjy0
— Combat Buzz (@CombatBuzzX) March 31, 2024
Consequently, the initial decision was overturned, granting Weidman a technical decision victory.
In the aftermath, Bruno Silva, now back in Curitiba, Brazil, has shared insights into the match and its impact on his well-being.
He has shed light on how the eye pokes affected his health, revealing the extent of the damage and his path to recovery.
Silva disclosed,
“The exam showed I lost 30 percent of my vision in one of the eyes… But the doctor doesn’t think it’s permanent; he thinks it will come back fast. I’ll have to go back there next week for another test,” and highlighting the potential for reversal and restoration of his vision post-injury.
Moreover, Silva expressed his intention to challenge the technical decision outcome, seeking recourse from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board.
His aim is to rectify what he perceives as an unjust verdict delivered in the aftermath of the contentious bout.
During a podcast discussion, Silva didn’t hold back in criticizing referee Gary Copeland’s handling of the fight, lamenting the oversight in penalizing Weidman for the eye pokes.
He firmly advocates for overturning the decision to a No Contest, considering it a fitting response to the circumstances.
Silva reiterated his stance, asserting the justifiability of a No Contest verdict and expressing a desire for a rematch, although uncertainty looms over Weidman’s willingness to engage in one.
Nevertheless, Silva’s openness to resolving the matter within the octagon remains apparent.
While the prospect of an immediate rematch remains uncertain, Silva appears receptive to the UFC’s decisions moving forward.
Meanwhile, in an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Chris Weidman maintained his innocence, vehemently denying any deliberate intent behind the eye pokes.
He emphasized his commitment to fair play and disavowed any suggestion of cheating. Additionally, Weidman’s own ordeal with an eye injury sustained during the match has drawn attention, with fans expressing curiosity over images circulating online.
In the aftermath of this contentious bout, both Weidman and Silva have presented contrasting perspectives, each seeking to address the fallout in their respective manners.
The resolution of this dispute and its implications for both fighters remain subjects of speculation within the MMA community.
