Fabricio Werdum submitted one of the greatest heavyweights in the world, Cain Velasquez UFC 188 on Saturday night.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez finally met Fabricio Werdum inside the Octagon on Saturday, June 13 at UFC 188 inside Arena Ciudad in Mexico City, Mexico.
Velasquez, who has battled several injuries in his career, finally had the opportunity to defend his title against a challenger that wasn't Antonio Silva or Junior dos Santos, and he wanted to capitalize on it.
Werdum has been prepping for this moment for a long time. With years of improvement and crucial victories finally coming to a head on Saturday, June 13, he finally had his chance to throw down with the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) product, according to reports on MMA Mania.
No doubt, he ended up making the most of it.
The Brazilian mixed martial artist stunned Cain Velasquez as he submitted the two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion at 2:13 of the third round via guillotine choke.
The big win for Werdum comes exactly five years from after he earned a shocking upset against Fedor Emelianenko under the Strikeforce banner back in 2010. At the time of their respective losses, both Emelianenko and Velasquez were considered the best heavyweights in the world.
Werdum became UFC's undisputed champion with the win as he unifies the UFC's heavyweight titles. Back in November at UFC 180, Werdum knocked out Mark Hunt.
"I was [in Mexico] for 34 days," Werdum noted.
"Adjusting to the altitude is very hard. I had a good strategy. I just have a big dream and I got it today."
Velasquez (13-2), who was making his first appearance since October 2013 citing a knee injury, apologized for the performance. The 602-day layoff was the longest of his career, ESPN noted.
Velasquez said, "Sorry to everyone here. It was my dream to fight here and win in front of everyone." He added, "I didn't do it tonight and I'm sorry. I will be back more motivated and win that belt again."
Velasquez did not waste any time to push forward, as both men exchanged wildly. Both men landed, however Velasquez moved into the clinch and briefly worked from there. The fight eventually moved in to the center, than the mat, and back into the clinch instantly. Both combatants landed several strikes throughout the first round.
Werdum split the champion open landing several damaging strikes, however Velasquez was able to control enough of the fight. Velasquez was split open to enter the second round.
Werdum managed to stand up to Velasquez's pressure throughout the contest, as he consistently scored with the jab. Opening a cut near Velasquez's left eye in the first round, Velasquez dropped him with a knee to the chin in the second. The high pace of the fight clearly favored Werdum.
Velasquez admitted that he might not have got used to the altitude in time.
"Two weeks, I was out here training for this fight," Velasquez said. "I guess it wasn't enough."
For Werdum, whom the UFC released in 2008 after his first-round knockout loss to junior dos Santos, this win is without a doubt a Cinderella story of sorts. UFC boss Dana White did not reveal details about what's next for Werdum, but noted that the result should shake up the division.
White said, "Obviously, it makes the heavyweight division very interesting."
"There a lot of different options. You know, I never talk about it tonight. We'll go back, sit down and talk about it. The heavyweight division is very exciting right now. You know Cain is going to come back like a mad man, so it's going to be fun," he added.
