LI's Chris Weidman Set To Return In August Against Omari Akhmedov

LONG ISLAND, NY — Chris Weidman, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion from Long Island, is set to make his return to the cage. "The All American" is slated to take on Russia-born Omari Akhmedov at a UFC Fight Night event on Aug. 8.

"Let's go! Excited to be fighting this tough Russian fighter," Weidman tweeted Tuesday.

Weidman served as UFC middleweight champion from July 2013 through December 2015. He made history when he scored a major upset knockout win over Anderson Silva, who some consider the greatest fighter of all time.

Weidman, now holding a record of 14-5, last tasted victory when he submitted Kelvin Gastelum on Long Island in July 2017. He's looking to snap a two-fight skid when he takes on Akhmedov. The bout marks his return to middleweight's 185-pound limit after one fight at light heavyweight's 205-pound limit, which he lost via knockout to former title challenger Dominick Reyes.

Akhmedov, who's 20-4-1 overall, is on a six-fight win-streak. Weidman, however, will mark the biggest name fight of his career yet.

The Aug. 8 UFC card does not yet have an official location, but it is expected to take place in Las Vegas, MMAJunkie.com reported. The card will either air on ESPN or its online streaming service, ESPN+.