Werdum Reportedly Released From UFC; Heavyweight Denies Departure
Heavyweight Fabricio Werdum has reportedly been released from the UFC following his upset knockout loss to newcomer Junior dos Santos as UFC 90 in late-October.
Believed to be the top contender in the heavyweight division, Werdum was expected to receive a title shot against the winner of the UFC’s upcoming four-man heavyweight championship tournament, but the loss to dos Santos not only dashed his immediate title aspirations but has also apparently sent him out of the UFC.
However, Werdum, who inked a new, five-fight contract with the UFC in July, believes he’s still under contract with the promotion and has four fights remaining on his current deal.
“I’m surprised by the news. My sister is my manager and she’s the one that deals with the UFC and she always contacted me first before making any decision,” said Werdum to Tatame (translation provided by Robert from Betwwx). “From what I know the UFC have not contacted her. I still have four more fights left on my contract that runs until 2010. From what they told me I should fight in February, July, November and April of 2010. In fact, I’m moving to the US to prepare for those fights with Rafael Cordeiro.”
Tags: Fabricio Werdum
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I think this is a stupid move by the UFC. In a division that lacks talent, they cut a young tough fighter? I hope this is a mistake. This would be like cutting a good fighter in the
MW division. Makes no sense.
That’s weird. I doubt that the UFC would kick him out for getting KOed, his comments about the tournament were not that bad, so I don’t see them being mad at him for that. I certainly hope his sister didn’t go behind his back and screw him over somehow (figuratively not literally, they’re from Brazil, not West Virginia).
Haha Justin
Look, Werdum has been doing this sport for a long time, if his sis did “screw the pooch” on this one that the only thing I can think of, I do believe that his bio has been taken off the UFC website… Werdum is a fighter with a lot of ups and downs has been that way his entire carrer imo
The HW division is lacking in contenders “true contenders” imo not so much in actual talent
Dumb move by the UFC. There has to be more to this story. Maybe they were irritated about his comments on not getting the title shot.
Or maybe they were pissed that he came in so out of shape????
That’s a very strange move by the UFC. I could kinda see if he’d been brutally KO’d by someone else in his UFC stay but his boring loss to Arlovski was in big part due to Werdum’s respect for Arlovski’s Striking and AA’s respect for Werdums ground game. Then he beat the former #1 contender and then Vera so I could see why he thought Los Santos was a step down. Still though I don’t like this move in an already talent thin divsion. I could see Sokoudjou being released before him. Oh well I hope this is just a mistake I like Werdum.
hey guys bad news amir has been forced off the ufc 91 card he got a leg infection….sucks i know so i heard there still gonna show that fight with a replacment fighter and also show hazlett vs mccrory on ppv
That sucks bad news for Amir and us fans
Thx Gun for the info kid
That does suck.
From UFC.com
“A leg infection has forced The Ultimate Fighter season seven winner Amir Sadollah to withdraw from his UFC 91 bout against Nick Catone this Saturday. After an exhaustive search for a replacement, the middleweight matchup will not be replaced on the card, but the welterweight showdown between rising stars Dustin Hazelett and Tamdan McCrory will be bounced to the pay-per-view portion of Saturday’s event.”
Hey guys,just registered for the site and am already finding out info so i am pretty pumped. thanks gun and justin for the info on amir. tough break for amir, but can’t say I mind getting to see hazelett on the main card. His jitz is real tight and fun to watch.
Werdum is nowhere to be found on the ufc.com. He’s gone. I bet it has something to do with not being a draw and paying him a lot more than some other guys. When it comes down to it – if nobody wants to see you fight, what good are you??
Jason Lambert is a “free agent” now as well, incase some care to know, cheers
Thanks for that, FR.
i hope hes not been cut hes still a good fighter that punch would of knocked out anyone
You’re welcome Justin cheers
werdum’s profile IS removed !! WOW !! Thats the ****s ……. actually I was just thinking the other day how he’d be better off in DREAM . Wont be surprised to see him and overeem duke it out in the new year .