In a recent interview with Canal Encarada, Werdum spoke about the progress of his negotiations with Bellator, saying that his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has been in contact with Bellator and they’re just waiting to hear back from Fedor.
“(The talks) really are advanced. Ali went there last week, had the talk, and now it’s a matter of Fedor accepting,” Werdum said. “And he said the other day in an interview that he wanted to do this rematch as well. Since I have a huge respect for Fedor, I’d definitely give him a rematch — not only for that, but also the financial side, the promotion, the whole history we had.”
Fedor and Scott Coker have both previously shown an interest in a rematch with the now free agent Werdum and it’s easy to see why. The two originally met in Strikeforce in a bout that became historic as Werdum ended the legendary run of Emelianenko by submitting him with a triangle armbar in just 69 seconds. Shortly after that, Werdum returned to the UFC where he went on his career defining run to claim the heavyweight championship and the two have never had a chance to run it back. Now it seems like they will, but Werdum believes it will end in much the same way.
“In my opinion, I still think Fedor is the greatest of all time, you have to respect the man,” Werdum said. “He’s done a lot of things for 10 years, he beat the best, so I think it would be a fight that everybody would like to see in Bellator, a superfight, a main event. I think it would sell a lot.
“If Fedor accepts, if he really wants to fight me one more time for this rematch… And, with all due respect, I firmly believe I will submit him again. I have no doubt. It’s not me being cocky, it’s the reality. That’s what I imagine. It will be a tough, of course. People think the other fight was easy, but how about the one before? Fighting Fedor, the expectation, nobody believing in me, everybody against me and chanting ‘The Emperor’ in the arena. It was tough, of course, because of everything that surrounded it.”
One of the delays with booking the fight is likely an issue with when and where it will take place. At 44, Fedor is in the twilight of his career and Bellator had intended to promote a sort of retirement tour for him this year. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and has temporarily delayed those plans, in part because Scott Coker remains adamant that Fedor should not spend any of his last fights competing in an empty arena. Emelianenko himself is less concerned about that aspect of his retirement tour but should the two fight once again, it may not be only Fedor’s last dance. Werdum also says he could hang them up afterwards as well.
“And who knows, I don’t know if it could be the last one,” Werdum said. “When Fedor retires, I retire, we have a tequila together and it’s over, you know? [Laughs] I don’t know if it could happen.”
Werdum is one of the most accomplished heavyweights of all time, having won the UFC heavyweight title, multiple BJJ world championships, and a host of wins over most of the all-time greats in the sport. His current record stands at 24-9-1.
[h=1]MUST-READ STORIES[/h]Fight. Conor McGregor says he’s accepted Dustin Poirier rematch but demands fight ‘must happen in 2020’.
Mad. Tony Ferguson attacks ‘sellout’ Dustin Poirier for ‘taking a bribe from international terrorist’ Conor McGregor.
Fence. Georges St-Pierre still undecided on comeback, but reveals conditions required to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov.
New man. Cory Sandhagen makes no excuses for ‘pathetic’ showing in last fight – but he learned valuable lesson.
COVID. Rafael dos Anjos announces COVID-19 positive, scratch from UFC 254.
[h=1]VIDEO STEW[/h]What the Heck.
Top finishes from this weekend’s fighters.
Khabib’s Dubai training camp.
Ronda on Hot Ones.
[h=1]LISTEN UP[/h]Fights Gone By. Breaking down the key fights at UFC Fight Island 5.
UFC Unfiltered. An interview with Marlon Moraes from Fight Island.
[h=1]SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE[/h]This is just incredible.
I would never complain about slow fight night pacing if we got quality commercials like this. pic.twitter.com/HOFco1gQj8
— MS (@UFC_Obsessed) October 8, 2020
Good guy, Poirier.— MS (@UFC_Obsessed) October 8, 2020
I fight for a lot of things, but nothing more important to me than fighting for change and giving back @TheGoodFightFDN. The Generosity of @TheNotoriousMMA will help countless in need. I have accepted, Connor has accepted, and the fans demand it! Let’s go @ufc @espnmma
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 8, 2020
He’s not wrong.— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 8, 2020
Just sayin.....when negotiations go public, there's a problem. ???
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) October 8, 2020
This would be a fun fight, but seems unlikely.— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) October 8, 2020
RDA is out yo @MikeChandlerMMA here’s your chance to jump on the Island #UFC254
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 9, 2020
Nor this.— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 9, 2020
Bulshit guy @danthehangman can come see me too. We don’t need to sell tickets now
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 9, 2020
Well that’s not gonna happen.— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 9, 2020
After I beat @Ruthless_RL , let’s go Conor. @TheNotoriousMMA a stand up fight everybody will want to see. https://t.co/XRfCcuuWKQ
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) October 8, 2020
Call outs.— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) October 8, 2020
#Boom https://t.co/VfE0pCnn7A pic.twitter.com/IhPUSBLtai
— Ricky Simón (@RickySimonUFC) October 9, 2020
Pretty good.— Ricky Simón (@RickySimonUFC) October 9, 2020
How it started: How it’s going: pic.twitter.com/UFYPATf4In
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) October 8, 2020
EA Sports UFC rankings upgrades.— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) October 8, 2020
First ratings update from @dc_mma and he has some thoughts after watching #UFC253
Agree with his changes?
Play #UFC4 https://t.co/E1TLBDoU1H pic.twitter.com/GkSPmPcheY
— EA SPORTS UFC (@EASPORTSUFC) October 8, 2020
Agree with his changes?
Play #UFC4 https://t.co/E1TLBDoU1H pic.twitter.com/GkSPmPcheY
— EA SPORTS UFC (@EASPORTSUFC) October 8, 2020
[h=1]FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS[/h]Thomas Almeida (22-3) vs. Jonathan Martinez (12-3); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 17.
Casey Kenney (15-2-1) vs. Nathaniel Wood (17-4); UFC 254, Oct. 24.
[h=1]FINAL THOUGHTS[/h]Thanks for reading and see y’all on Monday.
[h=1]EXIT POLL[/h]
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.
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