Werdum Runs Into Fedor Before Fight

Fabricio Werdum was on his way to take a blood test for his upcoming fight and was also talking to a reporter on the phone when his opponent, Fedor Emelianenko, walked by and extended his right hand for a shake.

“Hi, Fedor. It’s gonna be a great fight,” Werdum said while shaking with his right hand, holding the phone with his left and trying to explain to the reporter what was happening all at the same time.

Later, after the test, Werdum explained his relationship with the No. 1-ranked heavyweight in the world, whom he fights Saturday in the main event of the Strikeforce/M-1 Global card in San Jose, Calif.

“I have a nice relationship with Fedor,” Werdum said. “He is a nice guy, and I have to confess that after I shook hands with Antonio Silva, nothing impresses me anymore. (Silva) has five kilograms in the end of each arm.”

Werdum said he has been training hard for Fedor since the bout was scheduled in April. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, he promised some tactical surprises come fight time.

“We are bringing a strategy different from what everybody has done before,” he said. “Let’s say that I’ll try to avoid his right hand and, if the fight goes to the ground, use a very tight game.”

Werdum believes coach Rafael Cordeiro will give him a critical edge in the fight.

“When you train everyday with a guy like Rafael, you feel a different energy,” Werdum said. “It is like you need to show him that you are evolving. Some coaches impose respect. Cordeiro earns your respect and admiration. You could see that in the last fights of Wanderlei and Babalú.”

Numerous fighters and trainers have helped Werdum prepare for Fedor, including Muhammed Lawal, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Wanderlei Silva and jiu-jitsu teacher Otavio “Ratinho” Couto.

“All of these guys have helped me a lot, but I have to say that ‘Babalú,’ who already faced Fedor, and [Vladimir] Matyushenko, who has a similar size, helped so much,” Werdum said.

Werdum also mentioned Wanderlei Silva, who recently posted a video on the Internet saying that Fedor vs. Werdum would be the fight of the century for Brazilian fans.

“When I saw that video, I was really moved and even more motivated to win this fight,” Werdum said. “Besides being a great training partner, Wanderlei is an amazing human being.”

Werdum also asked for the support of fans all over the world: “I know everybody is a fan of Fedor, including myself, but I’ve been training so hard to fight the number one heavyweight in the world that I would like to deserve people’s support. I’ll win this fight, which is the fight of my life.”