Fabricio Werdum looks on before stepping into the octagon before a UFC fight in May 2020.
UFC 249’s Fabricio Werdum is nearing the end of his contract
Fabricio Werdum is thinking about his future ahead of UFC 249.
The 42-year-old is scheduled to fight Aleksei Oleinik on the event’s prelims this Saturday, May 9. It is the seventh bout of his current eight-fight deal with the UFC.
Closing in on the end of his contract, Werdum told Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting he is still deciding if he will resign with the promotion. His bout in Jacksonville, Fla. is one step closer to his decision.
“We’ll re-sign, or we’ll retire. I’ll see. But there’s no chance this is my last, no,” Werdum said to Cruz.
“I don’t know yet if I’ll re-sign, I don’t have this decision 100 percent made in my head. I might re-sign a few more fights to be able to end my career or retire after these two and continue only as a commentator.”
The former heavyweight champion is returning to the octagon for the first time since his USADA suspension. The positive urine test came right before Werdum was supposed to face Oleinik at UFC Fight Night 136 in September 2018.
In his last outing, lost by a fourth-round knockout to Alexander Volkov at UFC Fight Night 127 on March 17, 2018. Following a two year layoff, Werdum is planning on staying busy,
The Brazilian is even considering the May 13 and May 16 UFC cards, also scheduled to be at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville.
“Let’s make up for lost time. Let’s see if we can do it,” Werdum said. “If there’s an opening on the 13th, I’ll stay there (in Florida). I’ll commentate the May 16 UFC card from the studio in Los Angeles, but if I had to cancel that to fight, I’d fight.”
The past and the future
Fabricio Werdum signed his current contract after submitting Cain Velasquez to win the title in June 2015.
There are multiple factors Werdum is considering in his decision to resign or retire. He’s had a long career after turning professional in June 2002.
The 16-time UFC veteran also fought for other notable promotions like Pride and Strikeforce. The career is all his own, but the decision to continue fighting is a family-affair.
“I’ll talk to my family and my wife, we make decisions together,” Werdum said. “She wants me to stop after these two; she thinks it’s good already. It will all depend on the victories, the way the fights go.”
