Fabricio Werdum, last seen getting knocked out at the hands of Junior "Cigano" dos Santos at UFC 90, is now out of the UFC completely.MMA Weekly reports:
Werdum's exit comes on the heels of a failed contract renegotiation following the loss to dos Santos. The Brazilian came into the fight with the expectation that he would soon be contending for a heavyweight title shot.That's a stunning fall from grace for a fighter who once thought that he would get the first title shot against the winner of the current four-man UFC heavyweight tournament. But it's not altogether unsurprising: Werdum was never a huge draw, and that loss to Cigano was devastating. And, as Zach Arnold notes, when it comes to fighter contracts, UFC has total control. In this case, they're using their control to say goodbye to Werdum.
The knockout at UFC 90 derailed anything of the like in the near future, and spurred a renegotiation of his contract. Werdum and the UFC were apparently unable to come to an agreement. He has already opened talks with other promotions in the U.S. and Japan.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell are getting knocked out left and right, but the UFC can't find a way to "come to an agreement" with Werdum?
It's unfortunate that the UFC cares more about marketability than talent.
I do see your point an agree but to defend the UFC werdum is 5 and 4 in is last 9 fights. I do not know how the negociations went but maybe both parties did not have the same vision
Hughes and Liddell are (1-3) in their last 4 fights. The UFC is making a mistake by not investing in the future. Look at Arlovski, Barnett, and even Sylvia ... all top 10 heavyweights that no longer fight with the UFC.
I used to stick up for the UFC too, but there is only so much you can take. Frederick, if you follow this sport long enough you will come to the same conclusion.
Don't get me wrong I enjoy watching the UFC, and I don't mind Dana too much ... but with the power and size of the UFC the treatment of it's athletes has been overlooked.
I personally like werdum and think he can still be a top heavyweight
what I mean is look at the UFC and how they pay there fighters. I am just throwing numbers but I would imagine werdum wanted over 100K per fight and I am not sure Dana was willing to go that far.
I would love to see the UFC expand more there roster and have more fighters but I am not sure that is there plan. There happy to have a limited number of stars(the most of any organization) and do not want to over commit
UFC probably say to themself that guys like Werdum Lawler Nick diaz and others are replaceable.
I agree Eric.The marketing also comes with favortism.if a fighter cant draw as much attraction and he is favored by Ufc corporates,they will find a way to market the fighter even during losing streaks.As far as the Liddels,hughses,franklins,Coutures and even mir,the ufc will give them an oppurtunity wether they win or lose.I RESPECT what they have done for the sport but there will be a time when they will not be main-event status.As far as Im concerned losing werdum is a huge loss.
BTW I have been following thesport since the beggining
Thats what I think goes in Dana's head not what I would do. I am just trying to see it from both point of views
personnally Id love to see all these guys make more money and to see the UFC expand with a much bigger roster
werdums record is crap and his last fight he was completely and utterly owned.
The guy is not that good.
Ever heard of Arlovski, Vera, Aleksander Emelianenko, Nogueira, Overeem, Kharitonov, or Gonzaga (twice)? I would hope so since many of them are in the top 10 at heavyweight.
Werdum has a winning record (5-3) against the opposition listed above, and an overall record of 11-4-1. Werdum has been in with VERY deep opposition for a guy with only 16 fights.
Werdum has only been knocked out that one time. Sometimes you get clipped ... I fail to see how one punch qualifies as being "owned"!
WERDUM is top 10
UFC SHOULD HAVE LADDER LIKE TENNIS - IT'S NOT A TEAM SPORT. IF UFC WANTS TO REGARD ITSELF AS A VALID SPORTING CONTEST WHERE THE BELT MEANS SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE FIGHTER IS A COMMODITY WHO GOT HIS TITLE SHOT BY FIGHTING NOT BEING DAN'S PET
The problem overall is the signing of exclusive contracts, and total control of fighters by the UFC.Dana wants to function as a promotion , and a league, and u cant have it both ways.this creates a very muddled situation.D.A.has done alot for the sport , but lately , his megalomania is showing.