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Undefeated since returning to the UFC in 2012, Fabricio Werdum has put himself in position for his next fight to be for the UFC heavyweight title.
The Brazilian fighter said he’s been told by his UFC bosses that he’s next in line and waiting to see who wins the UFC 166 title fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.
“I had a meeting with Dana White and the first thing he asked me was if I wanted to fight one more time or wait to fight for the title,” Werdum told MMAFighting.com. “I didn’t even think twice. I’ve waited for this opportunity for years. I will have to stay away from the octagon for more time, but that’s not a problem. I will have more time to focus and train.”
The UFC President, White, said last week he loves Werdum and that the company just finished a new deal with the heavyweight. The executive told reporters that Werdum is soon expected to get an opportunity years in the making.
“Werdum is coming,” White said. ”That guy is on his way to a title shot.”
Velasquez and dos Santos will meet in the main event of this month’s pay-per-view to round out their trilogy, with each fighter collecting a win in their two previous meetings. The winner will surely meet Werdum in 2014, but “Via Cavalo” prefers that he gets a rematch of his own – a second go-around with JDS.
“Nothing against ‘Cigano,’ but I want this rematch,” he said. “I thought I was the man at that time. I want to fight him again … to prove to myself that I can beat him when I do things right.”
