On Saturday night, Former PRIDE FC and Strikeforce star Fabricio Werdum pulled off one of the greatest upsets in UFC history when he submitted reigning champion Cain Velasquez with a 3rd round guillotine choke to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez
Official Result: Fabricio Werdum def. Cain Velasquez via submission (guillotine) at 2:15 of Round 3.
What was the high point of the fight?
This high point of this fight was Fabricio Werdum’s striking. apart from some worrying moments in the opening stanza, Werdum outstruck Velasquez throughout this fight and landed some great strikes, from the clinch in particular, which further took the wind out of an already fatigued Velasquez. It was Werdum’s striking that forced Velasquez into shooting in for the risky take down that Werdum capitalized on and secured the fight, ending submission during the 3rd round.
Where do these two go from here?
For the first time in a long time it seems like the UFC heavyweight division is filled with options. Fabricio Werdum has a pair of former foes desperately vying for the opportunity to fight him. Both Junior Dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski have both been outspoken about their intent to fight Werdum for the second time. The smart money says that Junior Dos Santos will get the title shot though, as that fight would be highly marketable in Brazil.
The last few years of Cain Velasquez’s career have unfortunately been tarnished by injuries and quite honestly, he didn’t look 100 percent on Saturday night against Fabricio Werdum. Expect Velasquez to return like a man possessed, the most logical match-up for him would be a number 1 contenders fight with Stipe Miocic later this year.
Watch now, later, or never?
Now, Fabricio Werdum put on an amazing performance in this one and pulled off the big upset.