Fabricio Werdum recently had an interesting physical encounter with the boxer once recognized as “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”
The former UFC heavyweight champion had a role in the action film “Kickboxer: Retaliation,” and as a result, he got to work with former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. The results were a little bit painful.
“I saw him on TV all the time and now I fight with him in the movie. It’s amazing. Mike Tyson punched my nose, too, an accident, but he punched me and almost he broke my nose,” Werdum told TMZ Sports. “Because I’m an actor, he’s no actor too, but he’s good, he’s a funny guy, he’s a very nice guy, but he punch very hard.”
Considering the source of the punch, Werdum sounds almost honored that the incident occurred. And even at 51 years old, Tyson still apparently has some power.
“It almost knocked me down, but it’s good,” Werdum said. “I feel good because it’s Mike Tyson, no other guy. Maybe other guy, I don’t feel good if they punch my face, but Mike Tyson’s OK.”
Werdum laughed when asked if he considered hitting Tyson back.
“No, no, no,” Werdum said. “Maybe I take down him. He’s maybe 50 years old, but he punch very hard. He’s a tough guy, yes.”
Werdum will return to the Octagon on Saturday in the UFC Fight Night 127 headliner in London against Alexander Volkov in a heavyweight bout. The card will stream in its entirety on UFC Fight Pass.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ1uKtNbRwI&w=640&h=360]