UFC 249 is underway with the main card from the Vystar veterans Memorial arena in Jacksonville. The event marks the return of live sports after a 2-year hiatus and sees the return of two fighters from long layoffs. One of them received a reality check in his fight on the preliminary card.  

“Thank You All”- Conor McGregor Pays Tribute to UFC 249 Fighters and Staff

Aleksei Oleinik beats Fabricio Werdum at UFC 249

The Heavyweight clash saw Fabricio Werdum return to the Octagon for the first time in 2 years. He faced ‘The Boa Constrictor’ Aleksei Oleinik who came off a performance of the night award in his previous fight against Maurice Greene at UFC 246. 

‘Vai Cavalo’ came out strong and clinched the opening round. However, he struggled to continue in the same way and lost the other two rounds and the fight. The judges scored the bout 28-29, 29-28, 29-28. The 42-year-old secured his first decision win in almost ten years. 

The win meant a lot to the Ukrainian born Russian fighter who said this in his post-fight interview. 

“This win for me a lot. Very lot. Because you can fight one guy, two guys, ten guys no name. If you fight all time with no name you still no name. If you fight with big big names like legend of mixed martial arts you go to highest of ranking and each time you have biggest name too. And if you want to be a legend you must fight with legend.”

The triumph instills confidence in ‘The Boa Constrictor.’ He highlights the fact that he is among the smaller in a division including Francis Ngannou and his UFC 249 opponent. 

“I’m one of smallest Heavyweight in my division. If I have good technique, it doesn’t mean I win because some of these guys stronger than me, but still I am in best promotion of world and I’m not last in promotion.” 

This certainly was seen today as ‘The Boa Constrictor’ had to rely on a combination of strategy and strength to win. ‘Vai Cavalo’ will rue the missed opportunities he had to go for submissions in rounds 2 and 3. 

Will we see Fabricio Werdum continue with his comeback? Also, who do you see Aleksei Olienik facing next?