Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum is set to face Alexey Oleynik at the rescheduled UFC 249 card, after a two year layoff due to a failed drug test back in 2018.
The fight was scheduled to be the co-main event at UFC 250, in Brazil. But with UFC 249 being postponed from its original date due to the coronavirus, it will occupy the May 9th slot, while UFC 250 is being pushed back to a later date.
In a recent interview with Combate (as transcribed by Bloody Elbow), Werdum explained his excitement to return to the Octagon.
“I was going to fight at UFC 250, in Brazil. I know lots of people were looking at that date because UFC 249 got cancelled, but now it’s back on. They chose me and I was very happy. Although I’m on the prelims, I don’t really care about that. I’d like to be on the main card, but being able to fight again after two years because a contamination I was unable to prove, it just makes me want to fight. It doesn’t matter where. If it’s the first of the night, I’m happy, because I’ll fight and then leave. I’m happy to be on the card, it’s pretty important, there will only be great fights,” Werdum said.
“I know that if I were in Brazil, I’d be on the main card, but being able to fight is the most important thing. I have two fights left in the UFC, I want to be done with that soon so I can make up for the years I’ve been away. I want to be more active so I have to fight for five more years. I think I’ll fight for one or two years more, but you never really know.”
While being excited to fight, Werdum is also focused on getting back to his home in Big Bear, Colorado as soon as the event is done.
“It’s all set. We’re leaving on May 7th, we don’t even have to be there a week before because there’ll be no media. I arrive on the 7th and leave on the 10th. I’ll go back to Big Bear, where I’ll be with my family. It was the best decision because I was able to train at an altitude, which makes a big difference. I run up the mountains, I train online with Rafael Cordeiro, Cobrinha and Renato Babalu has been helping, too. It reminds me of Mexico, when I fought Cain Velasquez and Mark Hunt with altitude. I feel like I’m physically and mentally prepared because of the experience I have. Everything will turn out fine.”
Originally Werdum was set to meet Alexey Oleynik at the main event of UFC Moscow, on the 15th of September 2018. Fabricio did not make it to the fight however, due to being flagged for a USADA doping violation. He was handed a two year suspension subsequently.
Now 42 years of age, the former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum is looking to make up for lost time and get back on track.
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