· Fabricio Werdum ~ Honored To Be Part Of History
Just days away from watching the world’s #1 ranked heavyweight (Fedor Emelianenko) take on one of the world’s most destructive up-and-coming heavyweights (Brett Rogers) on CBS, Strikeforce has another pivotal heavyweight bout on the same card. Although the bout between Antonio Silva and Fabricio Werdum may not be as lauded or talked about as the network's televised main event, but his fight has all the makings of the fight of the night.
Fabricio ‘Vai Cavalo’ Werdum’s journey to prime time television has not been smooth or without doubters. The 12-4-1 Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist says that he feels no added pressure appearing in front of millions of viewers, “I treat every fight as though it is the biggest fight of my career. Of course I want to impress the fans, Strikeforce, CBS, and M-1 Global. I have fought in many big shows before, both in the U.S. and in Japan. I am honored, however, that I have been given the opportunity to participate in this historic event for organizations with the prestige of Strikeforce and M-1 Global.”
“Training went great. I have been training virtually non-stop since my Strikeforce debut. Since after beating Mike Kyle, I went straight into training for Abu Dhabi,” said the winner of this years ADCC +99kg title, Werdum, about preparing for Antonio Silva (12-1). “Silva is no different than the others, other than the size of his head. I think it’s a great match up. My stand up is underrated and his is decent. But there shouldn’t be any question as to who is better on the ground. We are the same height [6’4”]. He weighs a little bit more than me. All that means is that he will fall harder.”
When asked if he thought Silva had any strengths over him Werdum playfully responded, “Finding a hat that fits his head.”
Many fans and journalists have wondered about why Emelianenko was not brought in and given an immediate shot at Alistair Overeem’s Strikeforce heavyweight title. Werdum would like to believe that with a strong showing that he may be in line to get a shot at the title regardless of what happens in the main event on November 7. He also seems to understand that he may have to wait for his chance, “Of course it is every professional fighter’s dream to fight for the title. So, whomever Mr. Coker and his partners at M-1 Global think deserves the shot, they will get it. I am patient.” Even if he is awarded the next title shot, he has doubts that he will ever face the current champion, “I really don’t think Alistair will agree to fight me; unless it is in a jurisdiction that does not drug test.”
Whether or not a chance to wear the Strikeforce title around his waist is around the corner, 'Vai Cavalo’ trains like a champion with some of the very best mixed martial artists in the world, “I train under the direction and control of my long-time trainer, coach, and friend, Rafael Cordeiro of Kings Muay Thai in Huntington Beach, California. With Rafael as my head coach, coupled with my business manager Richard Wilner, I am able to train with multiple people in different techniques. For example, for this fight I wrestled with Mohammed Lawal and Daniel Cormier, not to mention Babalu [Sobral] and Jason Miller. We all sparred together as well. I train Jiu-Jitsu at times with Cleber Luciano, and hands sometimes with Justin Fortune.” Werdum also has roots at the legendary Chute Boxe camp in Brazil, and still holds them in high regard, “Master Rudimar Fedrigo is a great coach and great friend. Chute Boxe will always be in my heart. However, since coming to the United States, my training with Master Rafael Cordeiro has resumed and we fly the flag of Kings Muay Thai.”
Throughout his career, Werdum has run a gauntlet of highly regarded fighters and former champions. His twelve wins include names like Gabriel Gonzaga, Alistair Overeem, Aleksander Emelianenko, and Brandon Vera. Three of his four losses have come by decision against top ranked opponents such as Sergei Kharitonov in 2005, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2006, and Andrei Arlovski in 2007. His most recent loss, and the only fight in which he was ever finished, came just over a year ago to Junior ‘Cigano’ Dos Santos at UFC 90. Commentators and other pundits speculated that Werdum had taken the fight lightly, to which Werdum responds, “I never underestimate an opponent. Cigano might not be known here, however, from Brazil, I know how tough Cigano is. Of course I didn’t underestimate him. I got caught with an upper-cut.”
While Strikeforce has several notable heavyweights under contract, the overall depth of the division leaves plenty of room for expansion and possible potential to rival the heavyweight division that the UFC has. Having recently left the UFC roster, Werdum has a unique perspective on the talent that his former employer has amassed. With young fighters such as Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez, and Todd Duffee at the forefront, his opinion is, “I have fought top-level guys for years, throughout the world. I don’t think too much about individual guys that I am not fighting, nor about guys that haven’t fought the level of guys that I fought. This is not meant to disrespect them, and although they are excellent fighters, they are newcomers.” When asked to assess Brock Lesnar’s ability and rise to the top of the UFC ladder, Werdum simply stated, “Brock sells tickets.”
Although Werdum has just one fight remaining on his Strikeforce contract after Saturday night, he does not seem to be looking to his next contract as much as he is looking to accomplish his goals in the sport, “Promoters are in the business to make money, not hand it out. So a contract is a contract. Right now I fight for Strikeforce / M-1 Global. My goals do not change, they are earning a title shot and winning the belt, and to be known as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.”
Werdum describes his career highlights to date as, “Submitting Alistair Overeem, and smashing Gabriel Gonzaga, twice.” Seeing as Overeem is currently the Strikeforce champion, his goals are definitely within reach. However, he’d like to add a victory Saturday night in Chicago to his list of favorite moments. A victory he’ll celebrate by, “Watching my brother Felipe dance.”
Fabricio ‘Vai Cavalo’ Werdum would like to thank:
First and foremost, I would like to thank my wife Karine and my daughter Julia. I would like to thank all my coaches, training partners, and manager named above. I would also like to thank the following sponsors:
Affliction, with special thanks to Tom Atencio for being my fashion coordinator, Full Tilt Poker, Rev Gear, Polanti Watches, Synergy Physical Therapy, Wilner & O'Reilly, American Spartan, Kimura Wear, Treadmill Factory, Werdum Combat Team
