Fabricio Werdum contemplating retirement, not included on 2022 PFL roster
After signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2021 and being touted as the most likely candidate to win the promotion’s heavyweight tournament, former UFC heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum (24-9-1) had trouble living up to the expectation.
The 44-year-old only fought once for the PFL, an extremely controversial loss to Renan Ferreira. Werdum was knocked out by the fellow Brazilian mixed martial artist, but not after Werdum released a submission because it appeared that Ferreira had tapped to the hold. The New Jersey Athletic Commission later overturned the bout to a no-contest but the incident had already left a bad taste in Werdum’s mouth.
After being re-booked for another contest, this time against Brandon Sayles, Werdum withdrew from the contest and the season.
Today, the PFL released the lineup for the first leg of the 2022 heavyweight tournament and Werdum’s name was not attached to the list.
“It’s a bit complicated to say that to a fighter after 24 years of fighting,” Werdum told Ag. Fight. “Even my wife keeps telling me to say I’m retired, that I’m done. I tell her I won’t say it. … But 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. 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.”
Werdum was already a notable heavyweight grappler and mixed martial artist but his stock really rose in 2010 when he became the first to submit the great Fedor Emelianenko. Other notable wins include victories over Cain Velasquez, Stipe Miocic, Antonio Silva, Mark Hunt, and Alistair Overeem, among others.
If we have seen the last of Fabricio Werdum, how will you remember this legend of the sport?
