Fabricio Werdum Opens up on Retirement Plans as PFL Debut Gets Closer

Published 12/02/2020, 10:03 AM EST

Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum made his professional debut in 2002. Now, 18 years later, Werdum has signed a multi-fight contract with the PFL. The Brazilian star left the UFC to test himself with free agency and now couldn’t be happier.

Werdum has fought the best of the best during his MMA career. He holds wins over heavyweight legends such as Fedor Emelianenko, Cain Velasquez, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Alistair Overeem. With a professional record of 24-9-1, Werdum still is not thinking about stepping away from the sport.

Speaking to MMA media, Werdum exclaimed his delight at signing for the promotion. While his best days may be behind him, Werdum is here to win world titles. Not only do PFL tournament winners win a title belt, but each division winner also receives one million dollars.

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Fabricio Werdum wants to be a PFL champion

Werdum explained his strategy to be PFL champion. He told the media, “You know when you guys say one million dollars is amazing, you know, and yes, my goal now for sure is the first fight and second fight. When I have two wins, I go this season after that I’d be a champion. I love the idea to become a champion when I am 44 years old.”

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‘Vai Cavalo’ has spent the better part of two decades competing in combat sports. He however is not sure if he would hang up his gloves after just a single season. Werdum continued, “Imagine like an old champion in the PFL for sure, and I love this. Maybe after that, I’m saying ‘okay thank you’. Or maybe I just go again because this is my life.”

Werdum believes that he is in the right place right now saying, “All my life I have fought and it’s so hard for us to stop fighting. It’s so hard, you put your mind, you have to stop now. It’s so hard but I’ll be happy, I’m very happy. I told you, now I’m in the PFL 100 percent.”

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The PFL missed out on its 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic. They will now look to start 2021 on the right foot, having signed Rory MacDonald, Fabricio Werdum, and recently Claressa Shields to their roster.

Read : Fabricio Werdum Explains Why Alexander Gustafsson Fight Was So Important in His Career

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Keith D'Souza is part of the Essentially Sports MMA writing team. Having followed the sport since 2013, some of his favorite fighters include Max Holloway, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Johny Hendricks. Keith also runs PureMMAIndia, a brand that promotes MMA over social media which aims at growing the sport in India.

Fabricio Werdum Opens up on Retirement Plans as PFL Debut Gets Closer

Fabricio Werdum wants to be a PFL champion

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