ABU DHABI – Everyone has been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic one way or another, and Fabricio Werdum is no different.
The former UFC heavyweight champion made his return to the octagon at UFC 249 in May after serving a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) suspension. Werdum (23-9-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) was out of the game for almost two years, then suffered a split-decision loss to Aleksei Oleinik in his return. Many thought he didn’t live up to his previous career performances.
Werdum attributes his effort in part to the ongoing pandemic, citing the lack of sparring and training in the weeks leading up to the contest.
“I wasn’t able to train like I should,” Werdum told reporters, including MMA Junkie, through an interpreter during Tuesday’s UFC on ESPN 14 virtual media day. “The pandemic, which is still going on today, so I preferred to fight as soon as possible to keep that rhythm because I was in a halt for too long. I’m 42 years old, and so I want to fight as often as possible so I can end my career. I never had a fight where I didn’t do sparring because the pandemic was very strong, so it’s something I now learned, that training online doesn’t work.”
Werdum got a fairly quick turnaround, as he’s set to welcome Alexander Gustafsson to the heavyweight division on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 14, which takes place at Flash Forum in Yas Island and airs on ESPN. Werdum said for this camp, he was able to get proper sparring and feels he had a complete training camp, unlike his previous bout.
“This time was very complete,” Werdum said. “I was able to do sparring, jiu-jitsu, the physical part, which is very important and the mental work, as well. So I had a complete camp.”
At 42, Werdum acknowledges he’s not a young man in the game. He’s not focusing on retirement, though, but rather has his focus locked in on Gustafsson.
“It’s hard for us as fighters to talk about that and to realize when it’s coming, so we’re going to have to talk about that after July 25 when I sit down and think about it.”
