In relation to Cain Velasquez's next fight, opponent Fabricio Werdum revealed his strategy for the upcoming match-up. The Brazilian heavyweight title contender also said he is motivated by his underdog status coming into the bout.
Cain Velasquez's next fight is scheduled for UFC 180 on November 15th, as the promotion company makes its debut in the champion's home country of Mexico. It will also be the conclusion for the first ever-Latin America series for the company's famed reality show "The Ultimate Fighter."
Since his return to the UFC in February 2012, Fabricio Werdum has gone on a four-fight winning streak, demolishing top competition such as Roy Nelson, Travis Browne, and former interim champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
"Vai Cavalo's" performance in his UFC comeback has earned the respect of fans, and even the champion himself. Velasquez commended his challenger in an August interview with Bleacher Report.
"It's definitely nice to prepare for someone new, but that doesn't matter to me," Velasquez said. "Whoever earns a shot, earns the shot and that is who I'm going to fight. I don't care if I have to fight the same guy over and over again, as long as he earned the shot to fight me, then I'm fine with it."
For his part, however, Werdum has shown more confidence during his interviews prior to Cain Velasquez's next fight. In his most recent one with Brazilian publication Ag.Fight (which was translated in a report by Bloody Elbow), the current title contender even revealed his strategy as he faces his adversary.
"I can see myself taking him down and putting him in danger while he plays guard or gives his back when standing up," Werdum said. I can be on top of him by taking him down, reversing or getting his back, all these hypotheses are possible."
With a record of 13-1, and being a two-time UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez is regarded as the heavy favorite coming into the fight. But Fabricio Werdum also revealed that the underdog status that he holds only serves as motivation for him to do better.
"I've always been the underdog, so this motivates me a lot. I'm going to be very well trained and will have no excuse for not being prepared or 100 per cent," Werdum continued. "I'm very focused on bringing this belt back to Brazil."
