by Dane McGuire
Despite debuting for the Professional Fighters League just last year, it appears 44-year-old Fabricio Werdum could be on his way out. The former UFC heavyweight champion has withdrawn from the upcoming PFL season.
“It’s a bit complicated to say that to a fighter after 24 years of fighting,” Werdum said. “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’s single PFL bout ended in a no contest after a bizarre series of events. As MMA Fighting reports, Werdum complained that Ferreira faked tapping to a submission before knocking him out, and the New Jersey commission overturned the result to a no contest.
Werdum had been set to fight Brandon Sayles a couple of months after the no contest, but said the incident made him lose motivation.
Werdum (24-9-1, 1 NC), earned victories against Cain Velasquez, Mark Hunt, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Alexander Gustafsson in his second UFC run after defeating Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Silva and Mike Kyle in Strikeforce.
According to a press release from the PFL:
“(The) 2022 Regular Season will begin on April 20 at Esports Stadium Arlington and live on ESPN in primetime.
The first three events of the Regular Season will take place at the Texas venue on April 20, Thursday, April 28 and Friday, May 6 before the action shifts to Atlanta, GA for the second half of the season on Friday June 17, Friday June 24 and Friday July 1.”
“After our renewal with ESPN, the Professional Fighters League Season is back and we’re excited to bring the best fighters in the world to Arlington and Atlanta,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “The PFL continues to disrupt the sport of MMA with our unique season format, innovative SmartCage technology and elite talent, with 2022 set to be our biggest year yet.”
While Werdum has not yet officially retired from MMA, CageNation will continue to follow this story for more information as it develops.