Fabricio Werdum: 'Training for Vera'
By Dave Carpinello
UFC Heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum recently took some time to talk with PDG about his victory over Gabriel Gonzaga, training and his upcoming fight with Brandon Vera at UFC 85.
PDG: How is the training going? And what is your schedule like?
Werdum: Fine, we are now at the end of the hard season.
My schedule is usually the same from Monday to Saturday:
8:30 - 10:00 Gym-weights, 10:30 - 12:00 MMA-techniques, 16:00-18:00 wrestling, and in the evening Jiu-Jitsu.
PDG: What do you think of your upcoming opponent, Brandon Vera?
Werdum: He is a dangerous fighter, a Muay Thai specialist with good Jiu-Jitsu. Brandon is a left-handed fighter and like me he's fighting for a spot in the UFC heavyweight division.
PDG: What advantages/disadvantages do you see for yourself going into this fight?
Werdum: The advantage is that we are both fighting for an opportunity to reach the belt. The disadvantage is that a good fighter is in the other side of the octagon (laughs....)
PDG: Great fight with Gabriel Gonzaga; What are your thoughts on that victory?
Werdum: The low kicks at the beginning surprised me a little, I thought that Gonzaga would prefer to go to the ground, the way the fight ended didn't surprise me. I knew that I improved my stand-up game and that I could beat him; It was the victory that I was looking for, gave me inspiration to keep me fighting for my goals.
PDG: Did you suffer any injuries that needed some time to heel before training again?
Werdum: No, thank God, I am in the best shape of my life.
picture courtesy of www.UFC.com
PDG: If you win against Vera, do you think you should rematch Andrei Arlovski (if he is still in the UFC) or fight the current Heavyweight Champion?
Werdum: There is some rumors about Arlovski out there, I don’t know. My main goal is the belt but I like to think step by step, one fight at a time. Now is Vera, then we will think about the future.
PDG: Your long-time training partner, Mirko ‘Cro-Cop’ recently left the UFC and was victorious in his first fight for DREAM. What are your thoughts on him leaving and his recent fight?
Werdum: To be honest we didn’t talk to each other for a long time, I like him a lot. He gave me excellent opportunities in my life, opened doors for me and I wish him the best. Japan is like his second home, very comfortable for him there and he is already a legend there.
PDG: Who are you currently training with at Chute-Boxe?
Werdum: All of the Chute-Boxe Team is helping me a lot. Like Nilson Castro in the Muay-Thai, Cristopher in Wrestling, Cyborg and Fabio Silva in MMA and Cristiano Marcelo in the Jiu-Jitsu.
PDG: You are currently ranked in the top 10 Heavyweight fighters in the world. After all of your hard work, how does that feel and is there any added pressure to compete at a higher level?
Werdum: In our sport we must prove everyday that we can perform. Today you are a top fighter, one or two victories you can be with the belt. On the other hand, one ore two losses you are done, at the end of the line. You must learn to live with this kind of situation, the pressure sometimes is good. It keeps you motivated and running for your goals. The sport today is very professional; you need to be completely trained in all martial arts disciplines. Chute-Boxe gave me the confidence to be more aggressive and to develop my Muay-Thai, I'm very happy with my evolution.
PDG: Is there anything that you would like your fans to know or people that you would like to thank?
Werdum: I'm very anxious to fight in the USA, last year I went to California with Mauricio 'Shogun' to the event in Anaheim. It was sold out, the crowd was fantastic and the atmosphere inside the Honda Center was incredible. I sat in the middle of the fans and all of them treated me with great respect. Can you imagine me fighting in USA for the belt? Uhau, would be a dream come true.....
