Sherdog’s Top 10: UFC Heavyweight Title Fights

Brian KnappMay 11, 2017

2. Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez
UFC 188
June 13, 2015 | Mexico City


It allowed “Vai Cavalo” to take his place among the all-time greats. Werdum submitted Velasquez with a third-round guillotine choke and captured the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight crown at Mexico City Arena. Velasquez conceded defeat 2:13 into Round 3. Velasquez for the first time in his career appeared to run out of gas. He brought the fight to the Brazilian in the first round, where he attacked with punches in the clinch, leg kicks and a pair of takedowns. Werdum did not flinch, and he turned the tide in round two. There, he shredded Velasquez with punching combinations, a stinging jab and knees from the clinch. Accuracy and output were keys. Afterward, the American Kickboxing Academy stalwart returned to his corner with cuts above both eyes, his breathing labored. A little less than midway through round three, Werdum snatched the guillotine on an attempted takedown, fell to his back and finished it. A two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist, Werdum boasts submission victories over Velasquez, Fedor Emelianenko and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

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