Weidman retains title after Silva injury

Chris Weidman, top, of Baldwin, N.Y., punches Anderson Silva of Brazil during the UFC 168 mixed martial arts middleweight championship bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, in Las Vegas. Weidman won by a technical knockout during the second round after Silva was injured. AP

MANILA, Philippines—In an unexpected turn of events, Chris Weidman retains his UFC Middleweight title after an unusual technical knockout stopped Anderson Silva’s quest for redemption at UFC 168 Sunday afternoon.

Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at the 1:16 mark after Silva injured his leg on a leg kick that Weidman blocked.

“He is still one of the greatest of all time,” said Weidman who immediately came to Silva’s side after the former champion fell to the mat.

A gruesome injury that almost snapped Silva’s leg was the cause of the stoppage.