An admittedly “sad” Fabricio Werdum issued a statement thanking his fans and vowing to keep his head up following a loss to Alexander Volkov at UFC Fight Night 127.
Werdum, the former heavyweight champion, entered Saturday’s headliner in London as the favorite, and he initially looked the part as he used takedowns and top control to bank the first two rounds against his Russian opponent. However, “Vai Cavalo” slowed down the stretch, and Volkov took control, ultimately winning via knockout at the 1:38 mark of round four.
“I would like to thank everyone who cheered for me, who sent me messages of support and who are by my side in this difficult moment which is a defeat,” Werdum wrote on Instagram. “I am sad but I keep my head up with the certainty that life is made and mistakes and correct and that the most important of this trajectory is how we rise from a fall.”
Werdum had won three of his previous four Octagon appearances prior to Saturday. While a win might have inserted the 40-year-old right back into the title picture, he now figures to have some work to do in order to return to the top of the division.
“I am fortunate to have happiness and determination in my heart and to be surrounded by people who respect me and who give me the energy that I need to continue my path of success,” he wrote. “Thanks for the support and know that each one of you is very important to me!”