Civic Leaders On LI Call UFC Fighter Chris Weidman A 'True Hometown Hero'

BALDWIN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — He's not just a champion of the mixed martial arts world.

Civic leaders on Long Island say Chris Weidman is a "true hometown hero."

A "Chris Weidman Day" celebration is being held Wednesday afternoon in Baldwin.

When his family's Baldwin home was badly damaged by Superstorm Sandy, they moved in with his parents.

Then Weidman and his wife organized a food and clothing drive to help those who were hit even harder by the storm.

Weidman first made his mark as a wrestling star at Baldwin High School, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University.

This month, he defeated Anderson Silva to claim the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title.

Weidman told WFAN co-hosts Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton on July 10 that a rematch with Silva was a "done deal," and will happen either in December (Las Vegas) or February (New Jersey).

"We're going to have a rematch," Weidman said. "It's 100 percent."

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