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Ex-UFC champ Fabricio Werdum calls off MMA return; Brain health isn’t the reason

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 7:44 AM ET

Some MMA comebacks aren't meant to happen. Despite this, athletes of all ages insist on returning to the cage, whether for money or to chase an old high.

Such is the case with former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, who achieved the highest of heights by submitting Cain Velasquez for the title in 2015. 'Via Cavalo' has been retired from the sport since 2023 when he ended a two-year layoff by losing to Junior Dos Santos in a bareknuckle MMA fight.

He'd also planned to return as part of the newly minted Global Fight League (GFL) later this year, but has recently announced his withdrawal.

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Fabricio Werdum explains lack of motivation for GFL withdrawal despite damning UFC antitrust statement

Speaking on the Mundo da Luta podcast, Werdum explained that Frank Mir's withdrawal from their fight is the core reason for his withdrawal.

"Frank Mir was a fight that motivated me to return," Werdum said. "After he announced his withdrawal, I also lost my motivation."

Fabricio Werdum has inoperable brain cyst

To anybody who had been tracking the now-resolved UFC anti trust lawsuit, Werdum's return to the cage came as a shock.

Werdum was one of a plethora of former UFC fighters who released statements in support of the $375 million Le vs. Zuffa settlement.

In his statement, Werdum revealed he had a brain cyst, which was 'thus far impossible' to operate upon,

"I have many lesions and scarring on my brain, and I have a cyst that is located centrally within my brain making surgery thus far impossible," Werdum's statement read. "I monitor this cyst with biannual exams to determine if it is growing."

News of Werdum's comeback was jarring for those familiar with the statement, and drew into question the ethicality of promotion's like GFL signing older talent.

Thankfully we won't have to find out whether Werdum is in fighting shape.

This article first appeared on MMA on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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