Werdum will have to wait for Velasquez to return to the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Fabricio Werdum must wait for the return of Cain Velazquez to the octagon so as not to miss his opportunity to fight for the UFC heavyweight belt.
The category champion recently underwent shoulder surgery, which should keep him out of action until the second half of 2014. Therefore, Werdum, next in line to fight for the belt, has a decision to make: either choose wait for Velasquez's return, or, to avoid being inactive for a long time, he has one more fight before facing the champion.
The gaucho was offered a fight against the winner of the fight between Josh Barnett and Travis Browne, which will take place on December 28th. However, in an interview with the North American website MMA Fighting, Werdum stated that it is more likely that he will wait for Velasquez to return.
“They said it was my decision. I had a meeting with Dana White and my team and they told me that I will decide if I want to wait or fight again. I'm still thinking about it, but I think I'll wait for the opportunity to fight for the title. I'm next in line. But this is not 100% decided”, commented the jiu-jitsu black belt.
“I will make my final decision next week. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and it's something I've been waiting for for a long time. My dream is to fight for the UFC title. I achieved all my other dreams, which was to be world champion in jiu-jitsu and in the ADCC, and I still want the world title in MMA”, he added.
Werdum believes that Velasquez will not be out of action for a long period of time. “I think he [Velasquez] will return soon, maybe in July or August. Nowadays it's normal for recoveries to be quick, so that's what I hope. I will send my physical therapist to help you get better. I will pay for his recovery,” he joked.
Since returning to the UFC in 2012, Werdum has won three victories against Roy Nelson, Mike Russow and Rodrigo Minotauro.
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