After much debate regarding his return to combat sports, Fabricio
Werdum has announced his future plans at a press conference for
Brazilian media.
Advertisement
While earlier this year Werdum claimed he was hoping to return to
the Professional Fighters League for another MMA bout, the
44-year-old former UFC heavyweight king announced Wednesday that he
intends to focus on his boxing career.
“For us fighters, it’s very difficult to have this idea of doing
what you love most in life and stopping 100%, that’s why I don’t
like this word retired,” Werdum told Sherdog.com after the press
conference. “When I focused on being a jiu-jitsu champion
I accomplished (that). I dedicated my life to become a UFC
champion, and I also accomplished that. Now, the focus is 100% on
winning a title in boxing before hanging up the gloves.
Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you
can then stream UFC Fight Night 207 „Volkov vs. Rozenstruik“ live
on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via
the ESPN app.
“I’ve been a jiu-jitsu champion, grappling and MMA champion, but
not boxing. I’ve never competed in boxing and I want to put another
belt on the wall. Boxing is the only belt missing on my wall. I
didn’t stop fighting. I just changed the focus completely. I will
focus 100% on boxing. I’m not going to fight MMA so I can focus on
boxing.”
Werdum also revealed that he has already been approached by BKFC,
but negotiations did not progress.
“I am open to proposals. It could be against some Youtuber, boxer
or someone from MMA. I’m in no hurry.”