Fabricio Werdum open to trilogy fight with Alistair Overeem

CURITIBA, Brazil – Alistair Overeem finished Andrei Arlovski last Sunday in Rotterdam, and could be next in line for a shot at the UFC heavyweight championship.

Fabricio Werdum, who defends the belt at Saturday’s UFC 198 event in Curitiba, Brazil, against Stipe Miocic, congratulates Overeem for his impressive finish in the Netherlands.

"I thought it was a good win," Werdum told the media in Curitiba. "Overeem is really smart when he’s fighting, had the patience to wait for the right moment. His technical kick surprised everyone, like Lyoto Machida (versus Randy Couture). I liked it.

"If he’s the next (in line) or not, it’s not up to me to decide," he continued. "Based on his performance, he might be, but I want to focus on my next fight on May 14."

Werdum is undefeated in his return to the Octagon, going 6-0 since losing a rematch to Overeem under the Strikeforce banner in 2011. "Vai Cavalo", who tapped Overeem five years before in the Pride ring, has learned an important lesson in the rematch.

"I don’t like to give excuses but I was overtrained," Werdum said. "The fight was canceled twice and I didn’t stop training. I overtrained. I never felt like that before. I got too tired after throwing one punch. The fight was horrible for both of us, nobody liked it. I submitted him at Pride, and it was a tough fight. It’s 1-1 now, and let’s see what the UFC decides."