UFC fighter shares X-rays after 'horrific' leg injury
WARNING: The following article contains graphic images that some readers may find distressing.
UFC fighter Chris Weidman has shared graphic new details about the sickening leg break he suffered against Uriah Hall in Jacksonville over the weekend.
Fight fans were left horrified by the incident that UFC 261 and left the American's leg shattered in the opening seconds of the middleweight bout against Hall.
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Weidman was forced to undergo an extensive leg operation after being rushed to a Florida hospital in the aftermath of the incident that was described as "horrific" by many viewers.
The 36-year-old shattered his right tibia and fibula after an attempted leg check against Hall went horribly wrong.
The brutal extent of the damage could be seen in X-rays the former middleweight champion shared on social media.
Weidman also explained what the operation to fix his busted up leg entailed, during a series of video updates from his hospital bed.
“They put a titanium rod through the tibia," Weidman said.
"So they go through the knee, and they take the rod and they drill it through the tibia to make it straight and hard.
"My fibula was broken, as well, but I guess when they put the tibia back together and my leg was straight, the fibula kind of matched back up to where it was broken, and they feel that could heal on its own as long as I’m not putting weight on it and stuff."
The fighter also said a special thank you to the doctors that operated on him and made sure he was "taken care of properly".
"The primary concern is the bone punctured through my calf and skin when I put my weight on it, making sure the laceration doesn't get infected," he added.
Fighter to fly home after successful operation
Weidman seems in good spirits in hospital and is expected to be discharged imminently, with UFC president Dana White set to provide the fighter with a private jet for his flight home to Long Island.
The shocking incident happened from the very first kick of the fight when Weidman's shin struck Hall's.
Weidman's leg crumpled horribly as he stepped backwards and put his full weight on it, with the fighter clearly in agony as the fight was called off and he was stretchered out of the ring.
Hall was clearly distraught over the way the fight ended, sending his well-wishes to Weidman.
“I wanted to put on a great performance, but man, I feel so bad for him,” Hall said.
“I hope he’s OK. I wish his family well, if they’re watching.
"It’s the sucky part of this sport. It’s the hurt business.
"I hope he recovers and then hey, whatever rank I am in the future, if he gets well, I owe him this fight.
"I hope he can come back from this.”
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