“I Want to Add Another Belt on the Wall”- Former UFC Champion Fabricio Werdum Eyes a Stint in Boxing
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum hopped on a virtual press conference and revealed his intention to foray into the world of boxing. Chiefly, this decision would come as a surprise to some since Werdum recently opened the door to retiring after his ‘No Contest ‘ at PFL 3 against Renan Ferreira.
The fight that was initially ruled a KO loss for Werdum was eventually overturned to an NC and ‘Vai Cavalo’ talked about finally hanging up the gloves. However, it seems as though he has a newly renewed focus and is in fact looking to enter into a whole new sport altogether.
Fabricio Werdum gets real about wanting a boxing championship
MMA fighters transitioning into boxing is far from an unknown phenomenon, however, Werdum’s approach is certainly unique. The former UFC heavyweight champion wants to contest for a championship belt and won’t settle for anything less.
He talked about dedicating “100%” to boxing and believes he can excel at the sport, much like he did in MMA.
“I don’t like the word ‘retired’ or ‘stopped fighting. For us, fighters, it’s very hard to stop doing what you love. I’ll completely change my focus…When I set out to become a jiu-jitsu champion, I did it – in the UFC, I also did it. I don’t have that title in boxing, and I want to dedicate 100 percent to boxing because I want that title. I was champion in everything, except boxing, I never competed in boxing, and I want to add another belt on the wall.”
Fabricio Werdum continued, “I didn’t stop fighting [MMA] – I just changed my focus completely. I will focus 100 percent on boxing, but I won’t stop fighting MMA to focus on boxing.” [h/t bjpenn.com]
The road to a boxing championship belt will not be easy as age is certainly not on his side. At 44-years of age, some fans and critics will certainly have their doubts about Fabricio Werdum making it big.
However, the Brazilian ace has overcome the odds in the past and will be more than willing to stage a late-career resurgence in a new sport.
