Hofstra University Athletics

A three-year member of the Hofstra wrestling team between 2004 and 2007, Chris Weidman was a two-time All-American for the Pride. He won 59 matches during his three seasons, placing sixth as a red-shirt junior and third as a senior at the NCAA Championships. He was named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s Silver Anniversary Wrestling Team in 2009.

During his first season at Hofstra in 2004-05, Weidman red-shirted and competed in two open meets. He posted an 8-2 record and placed third at the Penn State Nittany Lion Open. Weidman was 18-13 in 2005-06 and placed second at the CAA Championships at 197 pounds. He went on to post a 3-2 record at the NCAA Championships, with wins over the No. 1 and No. 8 seeds, en route to a sixth-place finish. During his final campaign in 2006-07, Weidman was 33-8 and ranked as high as third in the nation. He was the CAA Champion at 197 pounds and went 5-1 at the NCAA Championships to place third.

Prior to coming to Hofstra, Weidman was a two-time Junior College All-American at Nassau Community College. In 2003 he was the first-ever junior college wrestler to win the New York State Championships. 

Following his graduation from Hofstra in 2007 with a degree in psychology, Weidman served as a volunteer assistant coach at Hofstra and began training for a mixed martial arts career and made his professional debut in 2009. He won the Ring of Combat middleweight championship in 2010 in just his third professional bout. He then defended the ROC belt one last time before joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2011. Weidman eventually became an undefeated world champion in 2013 when he took out UFC legend Anderson Silva by knockout in the second round.

Weidman was named the 2013 UFC Fighter of the Year and also won top fighter awards that year from Yahoo Sports and the World MMA Awards. He is still an active competitor in UFC and won his last bout this past March.

A scholastic standout at Baldwin High School on Long Island, Weidman captured New York State and Nassau County championships. 

Weidman and his wife, Marivi, have three children - Cassidy, CJ, and Colten.