UFC Fighter Excuses Friend’s Poker Debt the Free But Painful Way

If given the option the pay off a $5,000 poker debt or have talented UFC fighter Chris Weidman choke you out, which do you choose?

One poker player faced that exact scenario — pain or pay. The latter was chosen, and the mixed martial artist (MMA) posted a video of it on his Instagram page.

“He Lost in poker last night. It was either pay 5k or get choked unconscious! What do you do?” Weidman wrote on Instagram.

UFC Fighter Plays Poker

The poker player whose name was not identified opted to have his MMA friend choke him out instead of forking over the $5,000. Weidman secured his arms around his neck and proceeded to put him to sleep after a few seconds. He was then alerted by another individual that the indebted poker player was asleep, and at that point the UFC fighter let up and everyone had a good laugh.

Weidman, who holds a 16-8 record in the octagon, lost by TKO to Eryk Anders on Dec. 7 at UFC 310 in the catch weight division. The recently defeated mixed martial artist has been known to play poker and even promoted the World Series of Poker (WSOP) free-to-play app in 2022,

Weidman isn’t the only UFC personality with a poker background. Bruce Buffer, the longtime UFC ring announcer, reached the final table in the $50,000 High Roller at the 2024 WSOP. He appeared on PokerNews’ Life Outside Poker podcast following his eighth place finish. Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, two retired UFC legends, have also appeared in various charity poker tournaments and private cash games.