Fabricio Werdum out of UFC
by MMAmania.com on Nov 10, 2008 9:51 AM EST
63 comments
Content with its current stable of heavyweight fighters, which includes a mix of veterans and up-and-comers, the UFC apparently no longer required the services of a widely regarded top 10 competitor.
Fabricio Werdum was unable to come to terms with UFC officials on a new contract after his surprising 81-second knockout loss to Octagon newcomer Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" on October 15, forcing the Brazilian and the promotion to go their separate ways, according to MMAWeekly.com.
"Vai Cavalo" perhaps spoke prematurely (or something was lost in translation) when he declared that he had inked a five-fight contract extension back in July that included a guaranteed title shot with a win over "Cigano."
It appears that the offer may have been merely discussed and/or was contingent on a win in the "Windy City." He also could have ruffled some feathers when he voiced his displeasure about being excluded from the mini heavyweight tournament put together to declare an undisputed division champion.
Regardless, Werdum leaves the promotion with an even record (2-2), scoring big wins over Brandon Vera and Gabriel Gonzaga and perhaps bigger losses to Andrei Arlovski and Dos Santos.
He remains a very capable and dangerous fighter who, according to the report, is already courting offers to compete in "The Land of the Rising Sun." That's because prior to his UFC run, the Brazilian was a very popular and successful fighter in Pride FC.
In fact, Werdum battled current UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera at Critical Countdown Absolute back in July of 2006 for the chance to advance to the semifinals of the PRIDE 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix. "Minotauro" bested Werdum by unanimous decision in what was one of many outstanding fights that night.
While his chances for a rematch anytime soon are now more than likely dashed, rest assured that we will see the Chute Boxe-trained fighter back in action sooner rather than later.
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I dont get what Werdum was thinking? Affliction will be done very soon! After that where will he go Japan? Even Dream is not doing good.
by JV on Nov 10, 2008 9:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
another heavyweight out of the picture for the ufc they are throwing guys away
by the heat on Nov 10, 2008 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is just BS!!!!! UFC let go another top Heavyweight fighter. WTF!!!! UFC needs to start looking at the big picture. After the 4 man HW tournament is OVER, the UFC will have a hard time finding legit contenders to the HW title. Werdum would fit at the top of the list. NOw he is gone.
People say that he didnt deserve to be part of the 4 man tournament, but IMO he is much more qualified to fight for the title than Mir or Brock, who I think Werdum would easily beat both.
They just lost their main contender to the eventual unified HW title. Who else can get a title shot?
Cain Vallasquez/Carwin: No WAY. I like those guys a lot but the UFC hasnt given them top opponents to prove themselves against.
This is really starting to piss me the F oFF!!!!!
When you guys see PhilQNy on here today, ask him to tell you about his experience this past saturday. He got to grapple with and have a private conversation with MMA Legend Big John McCarthy. He has some interesting stuff to tell….Nevermind, I will let him do it!
by john on Nov 10, 2008 10:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
why is it always the UFC’s fault when something like this happens John? Do you think Werdum is worth tons of money? Do you thing a win ove GG and an early (but justified stoppage) over Vera earn six figure deals? Do you think gaining 20 pounds of donut fat earn you a title shot? Get used to this, the next to go is VERA! I’m a fan of vera, but after his last 4 fights, UFC isn’t going to pay him what he wants either.
Took the book to the bank last night…7-3 including giants and the over last night. thank you philly!!!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2008 10:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why should he have been forced to re-negotiate his contract after a loss? This is exactly what the NFL does and I hate it. Fighters sign a contract, and after a loss, he has to take a pay cut? He had 4 more fights on his contract worth a base salary of $80,000 per fight, and the UFC tells him to take a pay cut or leave….I dont like that. What are Contracts for? UFC contracts dont even give fighters job security because like the NFL they can be ripped up at any moment… I dont like that crap. A deal is a binding agreement between 2 parties….I dopnt see it that way in the UFC and I feel like it stinks. Cant a guy have a bad night without his contract being renigged?
by john on Nov 10, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think his initial deal was 5 fights, UFC always renegotiates when 1 fight left! Thats smart business, why would you want a free agent, rather than lock him up!
I agree the NFL contracts suck, really suck! the raiders just released a guy (the raiders mind you) he made 8 million already this year, just signed with washington for 500k. The guarantees suck John, but the NFL guys are worried about signing bonus money, which they get up front and is guaranteed. Once you have the guaranteed money, who cares if you get let go…go sign another deal with good guarantees!
Back to your point “can’t a guy have a bad night” yeah they can, ask Brandon Vera, have they renegotiated with him? Go check your facts, but I’d be willing to bet Werdum’s contract was 5 fights!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2008 11:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it has to do with the fact that if the contracts can’t be negotiated then fighters can coast their way through the ranks with boring fights….AA comes to mind. Werdum came in fat and lost. There is nothing special about his personality or lack of, which is a big part of marketing in the UFC. I have no problem with Werdum leaving.
by Robert on Nov 10, 2008 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ROBERT. i agree. dont blame the ufc people, blame werdum! he held his own fate in his hands and he blew it. personally im not gagging to see him fight again. i am excited to see cigano fight again though, give him the money,let Affliction overpay werdum.
by b.w. on Nov 10, 2008 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yep the guy complains about not being in the tournament but comes in out of shape…bye bye
by Robert on Nov 10, 2008 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No amount of being in shape would have saved him from that punch. If he was gassed out maybe i would agree, but that KO was meant to happen. He will be back though once most big orgs fail.
by NameNotRequired on Nov 10, 2008 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin: Facts are that before the Dos Santos fight, Werdum signed a 5 fight extension prior to the Dos fight. He got KO’ed by Santos. THat means he has 4 fights left on his deal. I go to DREXEL U, so believe me when I tell you 5 minus 1 equals 4! haha just teasing.
Facts are that Werdum signed a NEW contract 5 fight extension. Base pay at $80,000 per fight. He gets screwed out of the 4 man tournament, takes a dangerous fight against a hard hitting nObody, and now he has to take a pay cut? I dont5 like it at all! Brandon Vera should be taking pay cuts…Not Werdum. With the exception of the Santos fight Werdum was getting better with each fight and he will only continue to improve.
This situation just STINKS!!!! I always wanted to see Nog vs. Werdum 2
by john on Nov 10, 2008 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t understand why there has to be pay cuts at all. I mean these athletes are under enough pressure without having to worry about getting released or their pay cut in half after one loss.
I am bummed that Werdum is out. He is one of the few heavyweights that I actually look forward to watching. I would pay to see Werdum/Mir or Werdum/Nog 2. I guess the UFC didnt think he was gaining popularity, so they gave him his walking papers. Hopefully more information comes out as to exactly why he was released.
by stevo on Nov 10, 2008 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree John.. Werdum is a + for the UFc’s current HW stable.. will the UFC keep doing keep receycling this 4 man tourney??
Right now.. all is needed is nothing more then winning 2 fights.. then you will be the 1 # contender for the UFC HW title yeah.. John. I see you point.
On Big John.. I had the pleasure meeting him over the weekend.. at a trainers/ autograph/ MMA Q&A with Big John.
First and Foremost.. Big John is one of hte nicest guys I’ve met in the MMA world.
Class act.
As he was answering my questions.. he asked for me to come out and demostrate to the people gathering.. a defensive guard position and offensive.. No joke.
Big John was in my guard..
I pointed out to him the AA vs Roy neslon fight. where Roy was working a Kimura from side across.. and the ref stood them back..
John said.. " Phil.. you and I can sit down and watch some fight together.."
John totally disagreed with the ref’s decision to stand them up.
He mention the great pressure a ref is under in a match.
He said there was times the crowd would be screaming to stand them up.. but he sees a mount coming.. and he lets the action go.. I thanked him for that.
He picked Randy Couture to beat Lesnar.. he said Randy would win in the stand up realm.. he said standing Lesnar is too tight with his hands..and Randy expoit that.
He believes BJ Penn is the best P per P fighting in the World.
it’s funny.. cuz he picked GSP in his rematch with BJ Penn.
He said if BJ can’t put GSP on his back.. that BJ will not beat GSP from his back.
It was with out a doubt..a great time had by me. I stell bug out.. like Big John was in my guard.. that’s crazy.. but true.
by PhilQNY on Nov 10, 2008 12:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that UFC shouldn’t let any talented fighter get away if possible, but look at the condition Werdum went into his last fight. He looked like Tim Sylvia but without the KO power. Dana has proven time and again that, like the NFL, he pays for performance. The guys who go into their fights in shape, give 100% effort and put on entertaining fights get to stay. Guys who come in fat, who pull a Starnes, who pull a Werdum (repeatedly flop to the ground to draw a guy into a ground fight) are sent away.
by PW on Nov 10, 2008 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I say that the next guy on the chopping block is Brandon Vera!
by JV on Nov 10, 2008 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good stuff phil!
i have also met big john and i cant agree 100% = class act!
by stinky~fingers on Nov 10, 2008 6:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
why??? why is it always the UFC? I’m 100% positive that the UFC offered a 2-2 (in the UFC) a fair deal. I’m also 100% positive that Werdum wanted more money. I don’t understand how a guy that comes in over weight and chubby then gets KO’d so quickly thinks he’s worth top draw money. He’ll go make his money fighting somewhere else, but then what? Affliction will be bankrupt after their next show (proven by the willingness to make a deal with the UFC, before the deal fell through), and fighting in Japan is great and the fans love a good fight, and fighter, but it’s not the U.S. and it’s not where the top HW’s are!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2008 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
at this point why stay in the ufc the best hw’s are not there.
by roy on Nov 10, 2008 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The worlds top HWs arnt in the UFC?
I consder top HWs as Couture, Fedor, Nog, Lesnar, Mir, Sylvia, Arlovski and Barnett. I consider Barnett, Sylvia and Arlovski to be the weakest on that list.
4 out of top 5 is a lot of big names. Werdum would have a much easier time fighting top names in UFC than anywhere else. He wouldnt get the fights in Affliction because he doesnt sell big bucks.
I dont mind that UFC let him go. I would rather he stayed and continued to fight good opponents, but I see it as Werdum asking for too much money after his loss. More than what he is worth. As displayed by his comments before the Dos Santos fight
by Adam on Nov 10, 2008 11:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good post adam…and Werdum can’t beat any of them!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2008 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lesnar? 2-1 a top hw, maybe but he still has to prove it and you got coulture ahead of guys that would and already have pout a beating on him, and mir is not and never has been a top 10 hw look at any ranking and he won’t be there.
by roy on Nov 10, 2008 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
kevin i see your point but your the one who is always crying about 1 org and all the fighters fighting in the ufc, werdum i don’t care for him but he is a top ranked fighter and its really about who sells tickets he doesn’t so he is gone, if he was in the top 3 hw’s and didn’t sell titckets it would be the same thing how can a sport cut a top athlete, cause its not a legit sport yet, the ufc puts fights together based on sales not on rank and cuts top fighters that don’t sell seats.
ps. you think mir,sylvia,coulture, even lesnar could beat werdum?
by roy on Nov 10, 2008 12:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All you have to do to beat Werdum is have submission defense! So yes roy, I believe any of those guys could beat him. Even Brock, cause Werdum would have to take a pounding to try to get a sub! And maybe Werdum wouldnt have been able to do so? Werdum’s striking was getting better, but still had a ways to go!
by JV on Nov 10, 2008 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i am not saying werdum would beat them all but trust me he would beat some of them so your wrong, what would mir do to him?
by roy on Nov 10, 2008 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great stuff Roy!
Werdum would DESTROY Frank Mir…. I really believe that! He would out class Mir really bad!
by john on Nov 10, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you’re way too hard on mir john. the guy is a former champ who beat a juiced up timmy in his prime! If not for the accident, he still may be champ. His jits is great and stand up is pretty good!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
please kevin he would never even beat tim again, and he would not be much better regaurdless of the accident, he wasn’t even that good before it.bring up tim because that is his only win and he has never been a ranked fighter.
by roy on Nov 10, 2008 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
kevin, you should change your name to dana. JK
by KAS on Nov 10, 2008 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Quite surprised by this. My thoughts would be that Werdum was possibly asking for too much money as well in addition to being upset about not being in the 4 man tourny
by ViolentMike on Nov 10, 2008 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
VM. good point. its also possible that werdum asked out of his contract similar to cro-cop and sylvia after losses. we dont know until alll the facts come out. i have read that there are american and japanese orgs already interested in werdum. thats pretty quick for just being “cut”.
by b.w. on Nov 10, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why because Werdum puts on exciting fights? You seen the Alovski fight haven’t you?
I always thought he was overrated and am not bothered to see him go.
The H/W division is weak as hell tho but the UFC is bringing some new young guys through who’s idea of ‘beefing up’ isn’t ‘beef burgering it up’.
by Nick J on Nov 10, 2008 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I though AA’s last two fights were entertaining.
by Pat on Nov 10, 2008 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Idiotic…See you Fabricio. Go pad your record fighting bums overseas.
by FukStyck on Nov 10, 2008 10:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
What a shocker. I’m surprised to see the UFC let him go but then again, Werdum probably was probably trying to renegotiate for a higher payday than the UFC was willing to pay especially after his KO loss.
Either way it sucks because the UFC is losing a quality HW and Werdum is losing job security.
by JizzMasterZero on Nov 10, 2008 10:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Had Verdum come into his fight with DosSantos looking like he gave a shit, he probably would still be in the UFC. I don’t know the details of the weight gain in the last event, but all of the weight he put on appeared to be nothing but fat. If you are going to complain about not getting a title shot, gain a bunch of unnecessary weight, get ktfo in the first round, you don’t really have anything to bitch about.
by VNDK8 on Nov 10, 2008 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
it’s just business – Werdum thought he was a top contender (see remarks about title shot) UFC does not see him as that yet and have 4 other fighters ahead of him. When it comes to contract talks they cut him loose knowing the market elsewhere is shrinking and will probably re-sign him at the money they want at a later date.
by The_Bantam on Nov 10, 2008 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
also a couple of wins elsewhere wont hurt him… with the 4 man tournament he was going to be stuck on the sidelines… there arent many decent HWs out there left for him to face with the big 4 tied up… maybe heath herring
by bigjohn on Nov 10, 2008 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
not a great loss
he is a decent fighter, but i dont think hes earnt a place in the 4 man tournament
beating GG and getting a dodgy stoppage against a lackluster vera shouldnt put you in title contention… his fight with arlovski was dull and he looked way out of shape in his last fight.. as if hes been spending his days in Krispy Kreme raather than the gym
im more interested in watching dos santos’ next fight. that kid looks like he could be a top contender at some point
arlovski should be the one they go after especially if he somehow beats fedor… AA is back to his best and his last 2 fights have been an amazing highlight reel of brutal heavy hands
id love to see them get fedor and barnett but sadly i cant see them nor lindland getting in the octagon
by bigjohn on Nov 10, 2008 10:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ha! No loss. Nobody every got excited for the start of a Fabricio Werdum fight. They only got excited when it was over and he would leave. I’ll only remember him for getting punched in the face by Arlovski in that weird sitting position.
by Graham on Nov 10, 2008 10:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
That wasn’t Werdum. That was Marcio Cruz
by Mr C on Nov 10, 2008 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ah crap, you’re right. It was “Sugarfoot” in that fight.
I’ve over 30 now. But my boss tells me that once I get over 50 my memory will be even worse!
by Graham on Nov 10, 2008 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m actually not that surprised. Why wouldn’t you be cut if you’re both over-paid and under-performing?! Werdum was already not very marketable, the least he could do is keep winning like Machida does. But no, he loses to a B-level fighter. See ya.
by Pat on Nov 10, 2008 11:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know how anyone can’t be a little pissed at the UFCs way of doing business with this one…
John, (or PhilQNY for that matter)
I am dyineg to hear about the insights PhilQNY gained when rolling around with BJM…please let us / me know…
by cagefightingkip on Nov 10, 2008 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There is like 15 ppl in the heavyweight division. Nice. Lets count them?
Randy Couture
Brock Lesnar
Big Nog
Frank Mir
Cheick Kongo
Mustafa Al’ Turk
Gonzaga
Junior dos santos
Cain Valasquez
Shane Carwin
Heath Herring
IDK guys:
Dan Evenson?
Eddie Sanchez?
Jake O’brien?
Mark Coleman ??
Justin McCully?
Any I miss?? Maybe the UFC should hang on to talented heavyweight fighters? (Randy, CroCop, Werdum, Arlovski, Sylvia) and stop paying half a mil to professional wrestlers.
by Brandon on Nov 10, 2008 1:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
and how many of these are worth anything? I like the Carwin and valasquez so far, but who else are up and comers
by onthebutton on Nov 10, 2008 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, there are only a few fighters on that list that could carry a main event IMO. And how long will Randy be around for? If he loses to Brock, I would not be surprised if he retires – and if he wins, maybe we get one more fight out of him??
by stevo on Nov 10, 2008 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"Vai Cavalo" perhaps spoke prematurely (or something was lost in translation) when he declared that he had inked a five-fight contract extension back in July that included a guaranteed title shot with a win over "Cigano."
-——
no, the UFC can drop any fighter regardless of where they are in a contract, which pretty much means the contract is toilet paper if you ever lose
by quidnunc on Nov 10, 2008 3:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It also means that the UFC can ask you to take a pay cut after you lose, which may have pissed Werdum off.
Who wouldn’t get pissed when you have one bad day at work, your boss asks you to take a paycut?
by Joseph on Nov 10, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What you fail to see is that Werdum is a legit and proven top 10 HW and he had one bad night. Couture is about to retire soon, and the UFC will be left with only a couple of top 10 HWs. Werdum is still and excellent fighter and has better BJJ than Mir. Werdum can easily beat any HW at any time. Nog beat Werdum by decision and
by Joseph on Nov 10, 2008 4:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. I would add that aside from Nog and Randy, there really aren’t any legit heavyweights that have put together a decent string of wins. If the UFC is willing to give Werdum the boot, why not Gonzaga or Vera? What exactly is going to happen when this 4 man tournament comes to an end?
by stevo on Nov 10, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Am I missing something or wasn’t Werdum guaranteed the title shot after he beat GG and Vera? Then Captain 16 – 8, who fought the law and the law won (By way of the crimimal turning himself in) comes home and throws a wrench into the plans …
Werdum accepts that he has to wait for a title shot or take a dangerous fight which he did and we saw the outcome…
Now this…I can’t understand how anyone would speculate that Werdum asked for more $ and not the UFC asking him to take a pay cut…
by cagefightingkip on Nov 10, 2008 5:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Even if Werdum asked for more money, couldnt the UFC just say NO and keep him under contract? I dont know how UFC contracts work – but it seems like the UFC can renogiate whenever a fighter loses and release the fighter if they refuse to accept less pay – but a fighter cannot get out of a contract unless the UFC permits them…
by stevo on Nov 10, 2008 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the UFC is offering the fighters no money at all! I think it’s only good that he said no to their offer and so should 50 other fighters in the UFC do to cause their getting paid like shit.. why the f is he going to have to take a paycut when he’s already making crap! And for anyone to think that Mir is a top hw is just ridiculous, they were so scared that he would lose to Justin McCully so they took their last and only chance ever in this lifetime to set Mir up for a title shot..
by RoB on Nov 10, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He showed up overweight, out of shape, and now he’s paying for it. Good, he was boring anyway, the only thing better is if he would have taken Brandon Vera and Paulo Filho with him. As for people complaning about Brock. In life you get paid what you can earn for a company. If you wanna argue Werdum will earn more for the company then Brock, you’re either an idiot or you have an agenda.
by tc on Nov 10, 2008 7:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It being a fighting organisation you would hope that skill performance. consistency and who you have beaten would be a factor as well, but that does not seem to be the case with the UFC heavyweight division, it is a complete joke. Mir and Lesner with title shots.WTF.
by Ade on Nov 11, 2008 5:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
meh… good fighter… but i won’t miss him that much. Anyone who’s anyone could tell he was gonna get the crap kicked out of him in that last fight… he was sooo out of shape. Take guys too lightly? adios amigo.
by Andiesel on Nov 11, 2008 3:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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