F. Werdum is a former UFC heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @werdum
One of the most notorious champions in UFC heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) history, the Brazilian Fabricio Werdum made an alarming statement last Friday (11). In a statement made as part of the antitrust process, 'Vai Cavalo' admitted to having suffered several neurological injuries in his years as an athlete in the organization. Among them, a cyst in the central area of the brain, impossible to operate.
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Furthermore, the fighter also said he noticed several symptoms in his behavior that indicate the existence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, popularly known as Pugilistic Dementia.
“While fighting for the UFC, I have suffered many concussions. I fear that during my career I have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am experiencing symptoms common to TBI and CTE, including irritability, anger, anxiety, insomnia, and memory loss. I have extensive brain damage and scarring and a centrally located cyst in my brain, making surgery impossible at this time. I monitor this cyst with biannual scans to determine if it is growing. To date, no treatment for CTE has been found,” the testimony reads.
Fabricio Werdum
At 47, Fabricio Werdum has a record of 24 wins, 10 losses, one draw and one fight without a result. In the UFC, the Gaucho won the world heavyweight title (up to 120,2 kg) in 2015, by winning Cain Velazquez. He has also been knocked out on three occasions at the world's biggest MMA event. His last appearance was at Gamebred BareKnuckle MMA in September 2023, against Junior Gypsy.
Werdum won Cain Velazquez with a guillotine in 2015. Photo: Disclosure/UFC.
Wanderlei Silva also spoke out
Former Pride FC Middleweight Champion (up to 93 kg.) Wanderlei Silva also gave similar testimony in the same case.
“While fighting for the UFC, I have suffered many injuries, including concussions. I fear that during my career I have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am experiencing symptoms common to TBI and CTE, including depression, mood swings and irritability. To date, no treatment for CTE has been found. I suffer from sleep apnea and have difficulty sleeping and breathing,” said the ‘Mad Dog’.
Fabricio Werdum (right) and Wanderlei Silva (left) are a reference in world MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Antitrust Process
The lawsuit in which the testimony was inserted is filed by several former athletes who fought in the organization, such as Cung le and Kajan Johnson. In March of this year, the UFC had agreed to a million dollar deal with the fighters, but in July the American justice system reopened the case.
Shanghai Performance Institute Project. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
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