Tag: Fabricio Werdum

Fabricio Werdum walks back retirement talk, wants June return with PFL

Former UFC champion Fabricio Werdum targets summer return under PFL banner.

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] is not done just yet.

The former UFC heavyweight champion and highly decorated jiu-jitsu competitor plans to continue fighting in MMA and is hoping to get booked sometime this summer. Werdum (24-9-1), who’s under contract with PFL, recently flirted with the idea of retiring from MMA, but he’s now had a change of mind.

Werdum has the fire to once again step in the cage and further his distinguished legacy in the sport.

“My businesses have been doing well – my clothing brand, my meat business, and all that – but there’s no way around it, my business is fighting,” Werdum told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I did need that family time, but I’ve decided to continue fighting and I have a lot more to show to everyone.

“I don’t have any injuries – well, I’ve had a few surgeries but nothing bad. My head is fine and I’ve always said the most important thing is having both your body and mind right. I’m aligning both things. I’ve been lifting weights, doing boxing. … I want to fight again, hopefully around June. I’ll be ready.”

Werdum has only fought once since finishing his contract with the UFC back in late 2020. That lone performance marked his PFL debut in which he suffered a TKO loss, but the bout was later overturned into a no contest the by New Jersey State Athletic Control Board after his opponent Renan Ferreira appeared to tap out prior to the finish.

[lawrence-related id=2539998,608742]

The 2022 PFL season is already underway with its heavyweight roster completed. Werdum is open to entering the heavyweight season if the opportunity arises. But regardless the Brazilian just wants to fight again.

“Yeah, it can be like a super fight or a fight outside of the season, or a season fight because it happens – people get injured or can’t fight so I’ll step in there,” Werdum said. “I have no problem doing that. I think the most important thing is that I want to fight, hopefully June 24 or July. I want to fight.”

[pickup_prop id=”15516″]

[vertical-gallery id=323657]

Jeremy Stephens drawing from PFL debut setbacks of former UFC champs Anthony Pettis, Fabricio Werdum

Jeremy Stephens paid close attention to the PFL debuts of fellow former UFC fighters and used their experiences as a teaching point.

[autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] is well aware of the struggles former UFC fighters have experienced under the PFL banner.

At 2022 PFL 1, Stephens will make his debut against Clay Collard following his exit from the UFC, the place he called home since 2007. After 33 fights over 14 years, Stephens is entering the next chapter of his career with the PFL, and will carry the lessons learned from watching a pair of former UFC champions in their debuts with the promotion.

“Lil’ Heathen” is the latest of a few UFC veterans to make the switch to the promotion. Some have seen success, such as [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag], who became champion in 2021, but other high-profile signees struggled to secure victories in their debuts, such as former UFC champions [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag]. It’s something that Stephens is aware of and has used to stay grounded ahead of his own debut in PFL.

“The thing about MMA is I can draw from their experience,” Stephens told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a pre-fight news conference on Monday. “I can draw from Anthony’s experience inside the PFL. You know, he was getting paid a lot of money. I feel like they paid him too much dough and he sat back and thought he was gonna win on intimidation. That’s the experience that I’ve drawn from, something that I’ve learned. I’m fully prepared and in a very good battle with a game opponent.”

[lawrence-related id=2538055,2537630]

Pettis couldn’t get it going against Collard in his debut at 2021 PFL 1, dropping a unanimous decision. Werdum’s PFL debut initially was ruled a knockout loss to Renan Ferreira at 2021 PFL 3, but after review by the commission, was overturned to a no contest.

Stephens believes his name and his track record inside the cage won’t mean much as he prepares to fight Collard on Wednesday. He plans to bring the same intensity he typically does while ensuring he has done everything possible to prepare for the bout.

“That’s all I need,” Stephens said. “I’m not one of these guys that’s going to sit back and think my highlight tape is going to scare people. That’s just not the case. I’m very well prepared and there’s really nothing more to do. I can’t really speak on anything, just watch how my actions show up on Wednesday.”

[pickup_prop id=”23434″]

[listicle id=2539430]

Former UFC champ Fabricio Werdum mulling retirement, needs ‘out-of-this-world offer’ to return

44-year-old Fabricio Werdum appears to be at peace with the idea of never fighting MMA again.

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] appears poised to close the door on a legendary MMA career.

Werdum (24-9-1), a former UFC heavyweight champion, is seriously considering retirement from MMA competition after consistently competing since his debut in June 2002.

The 44-year-old hasn’t fought since May, where he fought to a no contest with Renan Fereira under the PFL banner. Werdum appeared to force his opponent to tap out with a choke, but when he released the submission and the referee didn’t wave it off, he absorbed some heavy strikes that knocked him out. He was originally declared the loser, but appealed the result, which was overturned.

Keeping a commitment to fighting has been historically easy for Werdum, but since moving back to his native Brazil in early 2021, the dedication to training camp has been a struggle. Now he’s debating whether it’s worth it at all, as he explained in a recent interview with AG Fight.

“It’s a bit complicated to say that to a fighter after 24 years of fighting,” Werdum said (H/T MMAFighting.com). “Even my wife keeps telling me to say I’m retired, that I’m done. I tell her I won’t say it.”

On Tuesday, the PFL announced the roster for its upcoming 2022 season. Werdum wasn’t one of the names included, adding more evidence to the notion he is moving away from active competition.

Werdum, who owns notable stoppage victories over Fedor Emelianenko, Cain Velasquez, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Alistair Overeem, Mark Hunt and more during his career, said it would take an irresistible offer to get back in the cage at this point in his life.

He left the door open for the possibility of a box match, because the preparation is less strenuous, but as far as MMA, Werdum said the stars would have to align perfectly.

“Talking about MMA, I think it’s hard for me to come back because it’s more dedication, staying two, three months in the United States, and I’m living in Brazil for a year and three months now,” Werdum said. “If there’s a boxing match, I’d do it. … To sum it up: boxing, yes. MMA, no. It would need to be an out-of-this-world offer to make me stop doing what I’ve been doing right now.”

[vertical-gallery id=323657]

Twitter Mailbag: Is UFC on ESPN 26 a do-or-die for Jeremy Stephens?

Is UFC on ESPN 26 do-or-die for Jeremy Stephens? MMA Junkie’s Nolan King answers that and more.

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in the UFC or sport of MMA in general? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here – and this week, @mma_kings answers:

  • What are the most underrated UFC on ESPN 26 and Bellator 262 matchups?
  • Is UFC on ESPN 26 a do-or-die situation for [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag]?
  • Could we see [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] in a Bellator vs. PFL cross-promotion?

Watch the video above for answers to those questions.

To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.

[vertical-gallery id=640117]

[vertical-gallery id=639828]

Fabricio Werdum wants Fedor Emelianenko rematch in Russia: ‘Fedor was never the GOAT’

Fabricio Werdum is pushing hard to win the Fedor Emelianenko sweepstakes.

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] is pushing hard to win the [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] sweepstakes.

Bellator recently announced Emelianenko (39-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) is set to compete in MMA for the first time since 2019 when he headlines the promotion’s debut in Russia on Oct. 23. An opponent has not been named, but company president Scott Coker said there are multiple candidates in the running.

Werdum (24-9-1), who beat Emelianenko in a stunning upset in 2010, wants to be that guy, and he made it known on social media. The Brazilian not only said he’d be happy to travel to Moscow, but he also took a shot at Emelianenko’s status as the greatest heavyweight of all-time (via Twitter):

IF fedor The 🐐 do you need revenge from me HEY I’m ready to go to Russia

Fedor was never the goat because I killed the 🐐 @ScottCoker let’s go

Werdum, 43, is not currently under Bellator contract. In fact, he’s signed with the PFL. But as MMA Junkie’s John Morgan recently reported, the organization would be willing to allow Werdum the opportunity to fight Emelianenko, if offered.

[lawrence-related id=624836,619901,619123]

The potential rematch would give Emelianenko the chance to redeem the first true loss of his career. After putting together a 28-fight unbeaten streak, Emelianenko suffered a 69-second submission loss to Werdum under the now-defunct Strikeforce banner.

A rematch between Emelianenko, who is coming off a first-round TKO of Quinton Jackson at Bellator 237 in December 2019, and Werdum has been discussed in the more than decade since the first fight, but the stars have never aligned.

[vertical-gallery id=538886]

[pickup_prop id=”8630″]

Triple Take: Highlights and lowlights of the 2021 PFL regular season

Our Triple Take panel looks at the PFL’s six regular season events to examine the highs – and lows – on the way to the $1 million playoffs.

[mm-video type=video id=01f9amcaqq4vgw2rhpjr playlist_id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01f5k5h8pz3brj4xqb image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f9amcaqq4vgw2rhpjr/01f9amcaqq4vgw2rhpjr-9b1e0d002a718740f77485a61c85f4d8.jpg]

The 2021 PFL regular season is in the books, and after taking a one year hiatus from live events due to the coronavirus pandemic, the promotion has rebounded and reasserted itself as a top player in MMA.

From putting on live events on ESPN2 to signing a number of key free agents to seeing some of those free agents getting upset in the cage, there have been many twists and turns in what arguably has been PFL’s breakout year.

With the playoffs and $1 million championship rounds up next, there’s more to come from PFL before the year is out. With six regular season events complete, we thought it was a good time to examine the good and the bad from PFL this year.

In the latest edition of MMA Junkie’s “Triple Take,” the panel of Mike Bohn, Farah Hannoun and Nolan King offer up their highlights and lowlights from the 2021 PFL regular season.

Renan Ferreira blasts PFL’s ‘lack of transparency’ after Werdum fight not rebooked: ‘This is very shady’

A member of the PFL heavyweight roster has called into question the PFL’s “fishy” matchmaking methods.

[autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] has taken exception with PFL’s latest round of matchmaking.

Hours after the promotion Tuesday announced its second regular-season matchups for the heavyweight division, Ferreira (6-2) expressed his displeasure for his pairing against 2019 PFL heavyweight champion Ali Isaev and claims he was expecting a rematch against former UFC heavyweight [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag].

“All this is very shady,” Ferreira said in a written statement Tuesday provided by his team to MMA Junkie. “Ray Sefo told my management team that the Werdum rematch was the fight that made sense to do next. PFL had social media posts asking people if they wanted to see it and they said yes. Now we find out on social media I’m facing the last champion while Werdum faces (Brandon) Sayles.”

Ferreira and Werdum (24-9-1) competed against one another in their first regular-season bout at 2021 PFL 3 in early May. The finishing sequence garnered headlines after it ended in a controversial fashion. During a grappling exchange, Werdum was in the midst of a submission attempt and Ferreira made a hand motion some viewers interpreted as a tap.

The fight, and Werdum, however, continued on as the referee did not stop the fight. Ferreira ultimately escaped the submission and, moments later, earned a stoppage victory via TKO.

In the days that followed, Werdum challenged the outcome – and won his appeal. The result was overturned from a win to a no-contest by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, causing buzz to grow about a potential rematch. To Ferreira, all signs pointed to a rematch, too – until he saw the fight announcement post on Tuesday.

“I find it interesting how all this is happening,” Ferreira said. “First, we have them interviewing Werdum after our fight but they didn’t interview me. They only showed the replay in slow motion that made it seem I tapped. After that, the commission changed the result of our fight over the weekend in a decision so fast a lot of people have questioned their procedure.”

[lawrence-related id=613813,613814]

Ferreira also questioned the PFL’s matchmaking system. The method for regular season matchmaking is unclear, as opposed to the tournament-style bracket that occurs in the playoffs.

“What’s their criteria?” Ferreira asked of the matchmaking. “We have no idea how the matchmaking works here but some things look kind of fishy.”

Despite the “surprise” opponent, Ferreira said his focus remains the same. That said, Ferreira vowed to face Werdum in the near future and expects a victory that will stand that time around.

“Isaev is a very good fighter and I knew we would cross paths eventually,” Ferreira said. “I’ll be ready for him and I’m gonna go in there to finish him so I move on in the tournament. They won’t be able to protect Werdum forever. I would be embarrassed to be in his place after all the shit he said after our fight. I’d be calling PFL to make the rematch happen. But he knows he’d get finished again, he doesn’t want anything to do with me”

Both Ferreira and Werdum will return to action on June 25 at 2021 PFL 6.

At the time of publication, PFL has not responded to MMA Junkie’s request for comment.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=none image=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Kayla Harrison to headline 2021 PFL 6; Fabricio Werdum to make second appearance

Reigning PFL champion Kayla Harrison will take on Bellator and UFC veteran Cindy Dandois in her next outing.

Reigning PFL champion [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] will take on a Bellator and UFC veteran in her next outing.

On Tuesday, officials announced the lineup for the second round of 2021 regular-season bouts for women’s lightweights and heavyweights set for June 25 at 2021 PFL 6. In the main event, Harrison (9-0) faces [autotag]Cindy Dandois[/autotag] (16-6) at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, made quick work of Mariana Morais at PFL 3, stopping her in the first round by TKO. Meanwhile on the same night, Dandois dropped her promotional debut when she dropped a unanimous decision to Kaitlin Young.

Former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (24-9-1) will be in search of his first PFL win when he takes on Brandon Sayles on the main card. Originally a knockout loss, Werdum’s promotional debut at PFL 3 was overturned to a no contest after the commission reviewed the tape and concluded the referee missed Renan Ferreira tapping out to a Werdum triangle choke early in Round 1.

Earlier in the night, Sayles (6-1) had a standout performance when he upset Muhammad Usman with a second-round submission, notching his fourth consecutive win. He will look to score another upset against the far more experienced Werdum.

The full 2021 PFL 6 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN 2, 10 p.m. E.T.)

  • Kayla Harrison vs. Cindy Dandois
  • Ali Isaev vs. Renan Ferreira
  • Denis Goltsov vs. Mohammed Usman
  • Fabricio Werdum vs. Brandon Sayles

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. E.T.)

  • Bruno Cappelozza vs Muhammed Dereese
  • Larissa Pacheco vs. Olena Kolesnyk
  • Genah Fabian vs. Julija Pajic
  • Ante Delija vs. Hatef Moeil
  • Taylor Guardado vs. Laura Sanchez
  • Kaitlin Young vs. Mariana Morais

[vertical-gallery id=608714]

Commission overturns Fabricio Werdum’s KO loss to Renan Ferreira at 2021 PFL 3

Fabricio Werdum wanted justice for his controversial PFL debut, and now he’s got it.

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] wanted justice for his controversial PFL debut, and now he’s got it.

The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board has overturned Werdum’s (24-9-1) knockout loss to [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] at 2021 PFL 3 this past Thursday to a no contest after reviewing the tape and concluding that the referee missed what should’ve been a fight-ending tap out by Ferreira (6-2).

ESPN first reported the change in result on Monday, and Werdum’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, subsequently expressed his pleasure with a successful appeal in a statement on Twitter.

I want to thank the New Jersey Athletic Commission, Mr. Nick Lembo who worked all weekend on over turning Fabricio Werdum’s decision to a NO Contest from his last week at PFL. I also want to thank PFL for quickly providing all of the necessary evidence.

Werdum, a former UFC heavyweight champion, headlined 2021 PFL 3 at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlanta City, N.J., as part of the regular season kickoff event for the heavyweight division. He quickly took Ferreira down in the opening round of their matchup, then put his world-class ground game to use.

After transitioning into a triangle choke/armbar combination on bottom, Ferreira appeared to tap out. Referee Keith Peterson missed it, though, according to Werdum’s retelling of his experience, he released part of the pressure in expectation the fight would be stopped.

It wasn’t, however, and moments later Ferreira escaped the choke, postured up and reigned down massive hammerfists on Werdum to put his lights out and end the fight in a knockout.

https://www.instagram.com/p/COjjfFlHoLg

Werdum immediately protested the result, and vowed he felt a tap. Instant replay did reveal a tapping motion by Ferreira, but an argument can be made it’s not definitive. The commission apparently felt it was, though, and opted to change the result.

PFL has yet to comment on how the result change will impact its season standing. Ferreira was awarded six points for the first-round finish, but that has now been wiped from his record.

[listicle id=608681]

[vertical-gallery id=608740]

2021 PFL 3 video highlights: Controversy, dominance, upset rule wild night

Reacap the action from PFL 3, where Fabricio Werdum lost in controversial fashion, while Kayla Harrison picked up where she left off in 2019.

The PFL was back in action Thursday, and what a wild night of twists and turns it was – except for one defending champion picking up right where she left off.

In the main event, former UFC champ [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (24-10-1) made his promotional debut, which ended with a TKO loss to [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] (7-2) in controversial fashion after video replays showed referee Keith Peterson missed Ferreira tapping out while in a triangle choke. In the co-headliner, 2019 PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (9-0) needed only 83 seconds to take out [autotag]Mariana Morais[/autotag] (16-11). The night also featured a surprise upset for [autotag]Brandon Sayles[/autotag] (6-1), who choked out [autotag]Mohammed Usman[/autotag] (7-2) in the second round.

Check out the highlights from 2021 PFL 3, which featured fights in the heavyweight and women’s lightweight divisions, in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=608740]

[vertical-gallery id=608714]