Fabricio Werdum (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Fabricio Werdum announced he’s also withdrawing from UFC 196, after Stipe Miocic was asked to fight him on short notice, and the latter’s manager isn’t happy with the heavyweight champ.

On Sunday, the UFC confirmed that Cain Velasquez was pulling out his February 6th bout with Werdum due to a back injury, and that Miocic was taking his place. But, on Monday, Werdum said he was also withdrawing due to injuries. The champion also noted that he would have fought at UFC 196, however, if Velasquez hadn’t gone down.

Miocic’s manager, Greg Kalikas, was asked to comment on what has transpired, and here’s some of what he told MMA Fighting.com via text:

“We’re extremely disappointed to hear that Werdum is pulling out of the fight,”Kalikas said. “If he’s [Werdum is] healthy enough to defend against Cain, we can’t understand why he’s not healthy enough to fight Stipe, who would only have 12 days to prepare for him as it stands.

“A champion shouldn’t pick and choose opponents. A true champion fights all comers…”

Miocic quickly took out Andrei Arlovski at UFC 195 earlier this month to lock up a title shot.