Christopher James Weidman (born June 17, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist and actor. He is the former UFC Middleweight Champion. He is currently ranked #3 in the official UFC middleweight rankings as of May 23, 2018. In 2013, he earned worldwide prominence by becoming the first man to defeat Anderson Silva (twice) inside the UFC to become the Middleweight Champion, which he held for approximately two and a half years.
Chris Weidman was born in Baldwin, New York, the second of three children. He is of German and Irish descent and was raised as a Lutheran. He and his older brother were involved in numerous athletic activities. Chris started wrestling at a very young age. With his natural athleticism he mastered the sport very quickly. He attended Baldwin Senior High School on Long Island where he was a Nassau County and New York state wrestling champion. He was an All-American in Cadet Freestyle and Greco Roman.