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Fabricio WerdumBrazilian mixed martial artist
Date of Birth: 30.07.1977
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
- Brazil's Martial Arts Master: Fabricio Werdum
- MMA Career in Jungle Fight and Pride
- Invitation to the UFC and Mixed Results
- Breakthrough in Strikeforce
- Return to the UFC and Championship Reign
- Loss of Title and Legacy
- Titles and Accolades
Brazil's Martial Arts Master: Fabricio Werdum
Early Life and TrainingFabricio Werdum, born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, began his combat sports journey under the tutelage of jiu-jitsu coach Marcio Corleta. His exceptional talent earned him a purple belt at just 17, and he subsequently became an instructor in Madrid and other Spanish cities. As a BJJ world champion, Werdum ventured into the realm of mixed martial arts.
MMA Career in Jungle Fight and Pride
Werdum honed his MMA skills in Jungle Fight, Millennium Brawl, and World Absolute Fight, compiling a record of 4-0-1. Notable victories included a triumph over fellow BJJ specialist Gabriel Gonzaga. His reputation as a formidable grappler earned him a sparring role with renowned striker Mirko Cro Cop.
In February 2005, Werdum joined Pride and made an immediate impact with a submission win over Tom Erikson. He advanced through the ranks, facing off against elite fighters. In the 2006 PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix, he secured a stunning first-round submission victory over Alistair Overeem with a kimura. However, he suffered a setback in a subsequent bout against Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira, who dominated in the stand-up game.
Invitation to the UFC and Mixed Results
Werdum's impressive performances caught the attention of the UFC, and he made his debut at UFC 70 in April 2007. He faced veteran Andrei Arlovski but struggled with his striking and lost the match via decision. Determined to improve his stand-up game, he joined the Chute Boxe training camp in Brazil.
In a rematch with Gabriel Gonzaga, Werdum showcased his newfound abilities, knocking out his opponent with a series of ground strikes. He followed this up with a victory over Brandon Vera. However, his promising UFC run came to an abrupt end with a devastating knockout loss to his fellow Brazilian, Junior dos Santos.
Breakthrough in Strikeforce
After leaving the UFC, Werdum joined Strikeforce and made his debut in August 2009. He quickly submitted Mike Kyle and went on to defeat Antonio Silva by unanimous decision. On June 26, 2010, he achieved a historical upset, submitting the seemingly invincible Fedor Emelianenko with a triangle choke less than a minute into the first round. This stunning victory earned him the "Submission of the Year" award from Sherdog.com and established him as the only fighter to have defeated both Fedor and his brother, Alexander.
Return to the UFC and Championship Reign
In November 2011, Werdum re-signed with the UFC and racked up impressive victories over Roy Nelson and Mike Russow. In a rematch against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2013, he prevailed once again with a second-round submission.
Werdum's consistent performances earned him a title shot against then-reigning champion Cain Velasquez. In a thrilling fight, Werdum showcased his grappling prowess and forced Velasquez to submit in the third round, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship in June 2015. He defended his title successfully twice, earning "Performance of the Night" bonuses for his wins over Mark Hunt and Velasquez.
Loss of Title and Legacy
However, Werdum's reign came to an end in May 2016 when he lost his title to Stipe Miocic via a first-round knockout. Despite this setback, he remains a respected veteran in the sport, known for his exceptional grappling skills and his ability to adapt and overcome challenges.
Titles and Accolades
Mixed Martial ArtsUltimate Fighting Championship
UFC Heavyweight Championship (once)
Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship (once)
Fight of the Night (once) vs. Roy Nelson
Performance of the Night (twice) vs. Mark Hunt, Cain Velasquez
Strikeforce
Submission of the Year (2010) vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Sherdog
Submission of the Year (2010) vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Upset of the Year (2010) vs. Fedor Emelianenko
World MMA Awards
Submission of the Year (2010) vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Bleacher Report
Submission of the Year (2010) vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Upset of the Year (2010) vs. Fedor Emelianenko
MMAjunkie.com
Submission of the Month (June 2015) vs. Cain Velasquez
MMAFighting.com
Submission of the Year (2010) vs. Fedor Emelianenko
