Fabricio Werdum has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming 2025 GFL season.
The Global Fight League confirmed that the ex-UFC heavyweight titleholder is out of the competition due to an “injury.” However, Werdum clarified on the Mundo da Luta podcast that his decision was primarily due to a lack of motivation after Frank Mir, his expected opponent, had to pull out of their planned fight due to his own injury.
Werdum, nicknamed “Vai Cavalo,” was initially scheduled to face Mir in the first half of 2025. But with Mir`s withdrawal, Werdum decided to terminate his participation in the GFL event.
“I will not be fighting in GFL,” Werdum stated. “I hope the event is successful and provides opportunities for others, especially legends, to compete again. I wish them well and understand that these kinds of setbacks are common, especially in the early stages of a promotion. However, I have decided not to continue.”
“I have returned home and am currently in Florianópolis. I have adjusted my plans and am returning to my life without the focus of fighting. I am now 47 years old.”
Werdum`s last fight was a bare-knuckle MMA match against Junior dos Santos in September 2023, which he lost by decision. Before that, he suffered a TKO loss to Renan Ferreira in a PFL fight in May 2021. This result was later changed to a no-contest due to allegations of Ferreira tapping out before the TKO.
