Former
UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio
Werdum revealed some interesting details about a meeting he had
with Jon
Jones backstage at ADCC recently.
Advertisement
“It was really nice to see Jones again,” Werdum said. “I couldn’t
believe it when he asked to teach him how I make my happy
face.”
The Brazilian heavyweight recalled that he and Jones initially
became close when they were both paid to be a VIP presence by local
promoters from Russia and the Brazilian state of Goais on separate
occasions.
“Both were nice opportunities to know [Jones] as a person, and we
had a great time together,” Werdum said. “We even recalled a party
we had in Russia and grappling and sparring in a small hotel room
we had in Goias where we almost destroyed the room. Two big guys,
Wanderlei [Silva] and Rafael
Cordeiro. Imagine how crazy it was.”
Werdum revealed that Jones asked his thoughts about Stipe
Miocic when they fought for the heavyweight title at UFC 198 in
2016, when Werdum was knocked out in the first round.
“I told Jones that I didn’t have anything special to add, since I
didn’t have time to [get a] feel [for] Miocic,” Werdum said,
laughing while recalling his title loss. “As I told Jones, not
taking anything from Miocic, but I wish I were as hungry and
focused as I was when I fought [Cain] Velasquez to get the belt.
The fact is that I was so excited about defending my belt at home
in Curitiba in a soccer stadium in front of 40,000 people, so I
didn’t train as I should. Definitely I deserved that loss. Not
taking anything from Miocic, but if I were as hungry as he was at
least it would have been a great fight.”
Werdum also told Jones how he expects “Bones” to emerge victorious
from his expected matchup against Miocic. The bout has been rumored
for UFC 309,
but it has not been formally announced by the promotion.
“I told him that I see him taking Miocic [down] and punishing
Miocic until the referee stops the fight,” Werdum said.
Werdum revealed that Jones moved him when they said goodbye.
“He looked into my eyes and said, ‘You are a really nice guy with a
big heart.’ Hearing that from the great [Jon Jones] was something
really special to me,” Werdum said. “I even sent him a WhatsApp
message thanking him for his kind words and wishing him the best.
It definitely was a weekend of great meetings. After seeing
Mark
Kerr, and telling him how his invitation to train him in 2003
revolutionized my career, it was very nice to see Jones, too.”