Werdum: Accepting Harris fight was such a hard decision

When Derrick Lewis was unable to overcome an ongoing back issue, and pulled out of the main card bout with Fabricio Werdum on fight day, the UFC did some swift shuffling. Heavyweight Walt Harris was pulled from his fight vs. Mark Godbeer on the UFC Fight Pass portion of the card, and instead fought former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum.

At the post-fight press conference, Werdum discussed the factors he weighed in deciding whether or not to take the fight.

Walt Harris has been removed from his scheduled fight against to take on Fabricio Werdum.

It’s such a hard decision, said Werdum as transcribed by Alexander K. Lee for MMA Fighting. Imagine three hours before, I just have my room, I just come to the arena, and my manager Ali [Abdel-Aziz] calls me and says, ‘Your fight is canceled.’ Imagine everything is good coming to the arena — and at first I’m very sad, but my manager called me again. Two minutes later, he called me, ‘Werdum, I have one more guy,’ maybe one more fight for me. ‘Harris.’ I say, ‘Yes, just one second, Ali.’

I [talked with my team]. This is a very hard decision. Because you prepare your body, strategy, everything for one guy, for Derrick Lewis, for three months, and three hours [before the fight you] change everything.

I saw him when I do commentary, when I work on UFC network. I just have a strategy when I’m on my way to the arena, me, Rafael [Cordeiro], my team, watching his fights and coming up with the strategy… 30-40 minutes to make the strategy, that’s it. You see the strategy, this is the strategy, I just make it.

Werdum put on a textbook BJJ clinic, closing the distance, taking the fight to the ground, securing position, and then going for the submission. The fight ended via Armbar in just 65 seconds. Werdum says he is confident against anyone in the division, inlcuding Francis Ngannou, who offered to step in for Lewis. That fight would have been impossible due to licensing issues.

Anyone, said Werdum. No problem. I say Francis, Overeem, Harris, whoever wants to fight me, that’s it. I’ve been waiting for a fight. I just have my bag on my back to walk to here, I fight. I showed today.

What Werdum wants now is a rematch with the heavyweight champion.

When Stipe Miocic [asked for an opportunity], I give for him,” said Werdum. “Now, it’s his turn to give the opportunity for the belt again. Whenever he wants. Maybe next week, I’m ready for New York, for everyone. Just keep going in training, I come back to Los Angeles tomorrow with my family, a couple of days I go to vacation and after then I start to train again. I want to fight Stipe Miocic, this is my big goal.

And as for Harris, he took the loss with grace and humor.

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