Werdum is scrambling looking for another opponent following the declaration of Cain Velasquez ineligible to fight over the weekend at UFC 207 in Las Vegas.
Werdum first heard of this from social media but he’s prepared to fight anyone regardless. As he told mmafighting:
“We’re waiting. I’m on standby. If the UFC calls me, I’ll fight. I’m ready to fight,” Werdum said. “If the UFC says they have an opponent, I’ll fight. I’ll fight anyone, like I always did. I always fought the best. My record shows that. If I were afraid of anyone, I wouldn’t be in this sport.”
Meanwhile Junior dos Santos tweeted Werdum turned down a fight against him:
That’s wrong Ariel
He was the one 2 deny a replacement.
He’s prepared 2 fight & still did that If I was in his shoes I would be embarrassed https://t.co/LbnfmVoqcP— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) December 25, 2016
Ok
Just to make it clear. I hate fake excuses.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! https://t.co/2xcLG1rN4A— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) December 25, 2016
Werdum denies this:
“What ‘Cigano’ said was a bit weird,” Werdum said. “‘Cigano’ has been chasing me for a long time. You usually go after the belt, not a fighter. I think that’s weird. I wasn’t offered this (fight). He’s saying I turned it down. I’d fight him just to end this story of him chasing me.”
“Some people think he’s jealous because I became champion beating his ‘dad’ Cain Velasquez, but I don’t think that’s the case,” he continued. “I think he didn’t come out of the closet yet. I don’t have anything against homosexuals, but ‘Cigano’ needs to get out of the closet. He must have something because he won’t forget me. I already told him I’m married. Nothing against gays, but everyone does their own thing.”
Werdum said he’d fight him Friday night if the UFC wants it.
“He said something yesterday, he said I’m not a good fighter. I’ll show him inside the Octagon,” Werdum said. “Put us both in there now, no problem. He thinks I’m that same Werdum from 2007. Look at both of us and see who evolved more. My game changed completely.
“I want to fight Friday. It’s hard because of the strategy, to prepare for someone on days’ notice. I’ve been thinking about Cain Velasquez for three or four months, training for him, but I’ll fight anyone. Just give me a fight.”
