F. Werdum (photo) could face J. Cigano again in 2020. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook @fabriciowerdumoficial
The closer we get to 2020, the closer the return to Fabricio Werdum to Ultimate. Serving two years of suspension after a doping case, the former heavyweight champion (up to 120,2kg) will return to work for the UFC and, according to trainer Rafael Cordeiro, he already has an opponent in sight. Depending on the coach, a clash against junior gypsy is in the plans for next year. In an interview with 'Combate', Cordeiro spoke about the return of 'Vai Cavalo'.
See too
“We believe that 2020 will be a great year with the return of our champion and, without a doubt, he will return to fight for the title. A fight between him and (Junior) Cigano would be very interesting. I don't know about Cigano, but for Werdum it's something he's wanted to do for a long time. When Werdum was champion, it didn't make much sense, now, with both coming off defeats, it would be interesting. If you have a problem, you solve it there and do what you have to do. They are two great athletes and a rematch would be good for the champion to return”, said Rafael.
Werdum was the athlete chosen to 'welcome' Júnior on his Ultimate debut. On that occasion, the athletes faced each other in one of the fights at UFC 90, in October 2008. In the fight, Fabrício ended up surprised by Cigano's excellent boxing and suffered a tough knockout in the first round.
Rafael, responsible for improving the former champion's stand-up fight, also commented on the outcome of the situation involving the athlete's doping. For Cordeiro, the action of USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) was unfair to his fighter.
“I think the suspension ends in April. It was a very unfair decision what USADA did to him. They really couldn't find anything, they couldn't show what it was there. It was very sad for us in that sense, waiting so long for him to fight again. But he’s a guy who stays happy, that’s his strongest part”, commented the coach.
In March, it will be two years since Fabrício entered the octagon for the last time, when he was defeated by Alexander Volkov No. UFC London. However, according to Rafael, the gaucho has maintained his physical shape at his gym, 'Kings MMA'.
“He is training three times a week with us here, he does jiu-jitsu with (Rubens) Cobrinha and (Rômulo) Barral. He’s focusing on that athletic part. He is doing a lot of seminars around the world, and he is still there with the public watching him”, said the coach.
Although there is a desire to face Cigano on the part of the coach, in recent weeks Werdum surprised fans by publicly revealing his desire to face Francis Ngannou, one of the most feared athletes in his category today. There is still no confirmation on when Fabrício will return at a UFC event. However, the 42-year-old Brazilian still hopes to put on the organization's gloves again.
Comments