Fabricio Werdum Shares Details from Backstage Encounter with Jon Jones at ADCC

Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum revealed some interesting details about a meeting he had with Jon Jones backstage at ADCC recently.

“It was really nice to see Jones again,” Werdum said. “I couldn’t believe it when he asked to teach him how I make my happy face.”

The Brazilian heavyweight recalled that he and Jones initially became close when they were both paid to be a VIP presence by local promoters from Russia and the Brazilian state of Goais on separate occasions.

“Both were nice opportunities to know [Jones] as a person, and we had a great time together,” Werdum said. “We even recalled a party we had in Russia and grappling and sparring in a small hotel room we had in Goias where we almost destroyed the room. Two big guys, Wanderlei [Silva] and Rafael Cordeiro . Imagine how crazy it was.”

Werdum revealed that Jones asked his thoughts about Stipe Miocic when they fought for the heavyweight title at UFC 198 in 2016, when Werdum was knocked out in the first round.

“I told Jones that I didn’t have anything special to add, since I didn’t have time to [get a] feel [for] Miocic,” Werdum said, laughing while recalling his title loss. “As I told Jones, not taking anything from Miocic, but I wish I were as hungry and focused as I was when I fought [Cain] Velasquez to get the belt. The fact is that I was so excited about defending my belt at home in Curitiba in a soccer stadium in front of 40,000 people, so I didn’t train as I should. Definitely I deserved that loss. Not taking anything from Miocic, but if I were as hungry as he was at least it would have been a great fight.”

Werdum also told Jones how he expects “Bones” to emerge victorious from his expected matchup against Miocic. The bout has been rumored for UFC 309 , but it has not been formally announced by the promotion.

“I told him that I see him taking Miocic [down] and punishing Miocic until the referee stops the fight,” Werdum said.

Werdum revealed that Jones moved him when they said goodbye.

“He looked into my eyes and said, ‘You are a really nice guy with a big heart.’ Hearing that from the great [Jon Jones] was something really special to me,” Werdum said. “I even sent him a WhatsApp message thanking him for his kind words and wishing him the best. It definitely was a weekend of great meetings. After seeing Mark Kerr , and telling him how his invitation to train him in 2003 revolutionized my career, it was very nice to see Jones, too.”