Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum last stepped inside the UFC Octagon in March 2018, where he lost to younger contender Alexander Volkov via fourth-round TKO. Since then, he has spent most of his time on the sidelines after a USADA violation that resulted in a two-year suspension.

These days, the 42-year-old Werdum is already looking forward to his return in 2020. When asked whom he intends to fight next, “Val Cavalo” named the hard-hitting Francis Ngannou.

“The big guy, Francis Ngannou. He is a huge guy, a very strong guy,” Werdum told Sherdog (transcript via BJPenn.com). “But, I visualize the fight with him and I saw when I finish him. I do this a lot; I visualize all my fights.

“When I fought Cain Velasquez, remember when I won the belt? I visualized everything. I would go to Mexico, stay there for two months. And become very focused.”

Since his loss to Derrick Lewis in July 2018, “The Predator” put on a three-fight win streak, all of which ended via first-round knockout. Werdum, however, is looking to rely on his best weapon.

“I like the fight against Francis Ngannou. A big challenge for me, I know he is strong, but I believe I finish him on the ground.”

Werdum holds a record of 23-8-1. 11 of those victories ended by submission.