Fabricio Werdum made the most of his UFC contract fight. The former heavyweight champion featured Alexander Gustafsson at the UFC event on Saturday night on ESPN 14 at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
After the victory, “Vai Cavalo” was very emotional in his interview with Dan Hardy. Werdum spoke to the media behind the scenes during the UFC at the ESPN 14 post-fight press conference to explain what that moment meant to him.
“It was emotional, because it was my last fight with the UFC,” said Werdum. “I have been here 10, 12 years. I have been working making comments in Spanish, and (it seems that) I have spent my whole life here. I love the UFC and I want to thank you for many things. And of course I have also had problems. It’s normal (having problems), and I want to thank the UFC. “
While it may have been the last fight on his deal, and he stated prior to Gustafsson’s fight that he did not plan to stay in the promotion, Werdum admits he has not made up his mind about his next move.
“I’m not going to say no,” said Werdum regarding the possibility of re-signing with the UFC. “I just want to enjoy this victory first.”
Since leaving the belt for Stipe Miocic at UFC 198, Werdum has gone 4-3 inside the octagon. Earlier this year, The Kings MMA product returned to action at UFC 249 after a reduced suspension from the US Anti-Doping Agency for “substantial assistance” and dropped a split decision on Aleksei Oleinik after more than two years on the sidelines.
Werdum made the decision to bet for himself and believes it was worth it in a big way.
“Sometimes you lose the last fight in the UFC and everything changes,” Werdum explained. “I don’t know if I’m going to stay in the UFC or not. One hundred percent, I will not stop the fights. I am 42 years old, but my mind is young. If you lose your last fight in the UFC, people don’t want to give you good money. They do not. With victory, it’s a complete difference. “
It is unclear whether Werdum stays with the UFC or not. However, he has his next reservation, as he will face Marcus Buchecha in a fight in September that will take place in Brazil.
And in terms of his MMA future, there’s a rematch that’s brewing in a decade: Fedor Emelianenko, whom Werdum introduced in 2010 under the famous Strikeforce emblem.
“I want to fight Fedor, very much,” said Werdum. “I respect him very much and I want to give him the opportunity to fight me again. This is history, for me and for him (from our first fight) in 2010. Ten years later, everyone wants to see this fight. I don’t know where, but I’m sure I want to fight Fedor because I respect him and, in my opinion, he is the best in the world. “
