Werdum submits Velasquez for UFC heavyweight title

Pabricio Werdum lands a punch to Cain Velasquez in a dominant display at UFC 188. Source: AP

THERE can be no denying Fabricio Werdum any longer. The interim heavyweight champion became the undisputed, full world champion with a third round submission win over Cain Velasquez in the UFC 188 main event.

Werdum and Cain engaged in a fire fight from the opening horn and it quickly turned into a war of attrition with both men landing and absorbing big punches.

In fact, Werdum continued his pattern of getting floored before scoring a big win. Just as he did before beating the likes of Fedor Emelianenko, Mark Hunt, and Roy Nelson, the Brazilian ate a big punch and was forced to take a seat in the opening round.

Werdum got back to his feet and proceeded to land big punches to the head of Velasquez. For his part, Velasquez scored two take downs but almost immediately let the submission wizard back up to his feet.

By the end of the round, Velasquez and Werdum were bloodied up.

At the start of the second round, Werdum and Cain wasted little time in trading strikes in the centre of the cage once more. Before long, Werdum backed up Velasquez against the cage and hurt him badly with punches.

A big knee and an uppercut, both to the chin, landed for Werdum and wobbled Velasquez. Cain continued to land his own punches, but his legs looked to be stuck in mud as he got rocked over and over.

Cain Velasquez struggled against Brazil's Fabricio Werdum. Source: AP

In the third, Velasquez once more committed to his wrestling and shot straight for a single leg take down. He got it, defended a sweep and stuck top position.

Werdum hustled up to his feet and ate a high kick from Velasquez. The AKA fighter charged in but then ate another knee to the head.

Then, he changed levels, and shot in for a double leg take down. Werdum did not fight the take down at all, and instead chose to immediately set up a guillotine choke.

Werdum locked in Velasquez’s head in his right arm, wrapped his full guard and squeezed tight. Velasquez was forced to tap out at 2:14 of the third round, and Werdum became the all-time UFC/Pride/WEC heavyweight leader for submission wins, with 9.

“I had a big dream,” Werdum said, post-fight.

“I got it today.”

Velasquez’ dream of winning in Mexico was crushed once more. Afterwards, he apologized to his Mexican fans in attendance.

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t do it,” he said.

“Next time, we’re going to win.”

For his part, Werdum immediately expressed interest in a rematch. After three rounds like those provided by these big men in Mexico, a rematch at some point would no doubt be an in-demand bout.

For now, however, Velasquez will simply have to wait and let it burn. Werdum, on the other hand, can celebrate a dramatic and successful climax to a long and winding MMA career.