F. Werdum (photo) is the new interim UFC heavyweight champion. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Taking the fight to the ground was the most anticipated strategy. But Fabricio Werdum had to take the dangerous path of striking against Mark Hunt to win the interim heavyweight title and increase Brazil's number of belts in the largest MMA organization on the planet to two. This Saturday (15), in Mexico, Werdum put his world champion jiu-jitsu aside and won with a cinematic knee in the main fight of UFC 180.
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In the first round, respecting the New Zealander's knockout power, Fabricio Werdum tried to keep the fight at long distance, but ended up being hit by Hunt and suffered a hard knockdown. In the final half of the round, the fight went to the ground, but the Brazilian ended up on the bottom and against the fence, having difficulty imposing his skill in the gentle art.
At the beginning of the second round, Werdum suffered another knockdown in a precise direct from Hunt. However, it seems that receiving and resisting the two hard blows made the Brazilian more alert and, from then on, he was confident in his movement and dodging, which paved the way for victory. With 2m27s of the second period, Fabrício took advantage of an attack from his rival and landed a precise knee that took him to the ground. Then, all it took was a few more blows on the ground and pound for referee Herb Dean to call the fight over.
After the fight, visibly emotional after receiving the belt from President Dana White, Fabricio Werdum talked about the linear champion Cain Velazquez, his original opponent and who was cut from the fight just three weeks before it took place. The Brazilian paid respect to Velasquez and said that he insists that the fight to unify the titles also takes place in Mexico, to the delight of the public in the stands. To end the party, in good humor as usual, “Vai Cavalo”, as he is known, sang the traditional Mexican song “Cielito Lindo” with the more than 22 thousand fans present at Arena Ciudad de Mexico.
Gastelum submits Ellenberger and remains undefeated
Kelvin Gastelum already caused a stir in Ultimate by becoming the youngest champion in the history of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter. But since then, the American of Mexican descent has only grown and achieved even more impressive results. This Saturday, Gastelum achieved another great victory by finishing Jake ellenberger still in the first round of the co-main fight of the night.
At the beginning of the fight, even though he was theoretically inferior in the stand-up fight, Kelvin Gastelum He remained well in the exchange. However, it was enough for the first blows to enter the wrestler take the fight to the ground. Back on his feet, Gastelum reacted well after being surprised and taken down by his rival, managing to reverse the position, take his rival's back and submit him with a tight rear naked choke. Now, the TUF 17 champion has eleven wins in eleven fights as a professional.
Lamas ends Bermudez's long undefeated streak
When Dennis Bermudez stepped into the Octagon at Arena Ciudade de Mexico, the TUF 14 runner-up boasted a seven-fight winning streak. And the undefeated streak came to an end in the most surprising way possible. Known for his intense pace and efficiency in striking, Bermudez ended up caught by a well-aimed jab from Ricardo Lamas and, with the path open for him, knockdown, ended up finishing in a tight guillotine in the first round.
Now, Ricardo Lamas has already accumulated two consecutive victories since the defeat to the Brazilian José Aldo in the fight for the featherweight belt, on February 1st this year. In his career, the American of Mexican descent has 14 triumphs and only three setbacks.
Check out all the UFC 180 results below:
MAIN CARD
Fabricio Werdum won Mark Hunt by TKO in R2;
Kelvin Gastelum finished Jake ellenberger with a rear naked choke in R1;
Ricardo Lamas finished Dennis Bermudez with a guillotine in R1;
Augusto Montano beat Chris Heatherly by TKO in R1;
Hector Urbina submitted Edgar García with a guillotine choke in R1.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Yair Rodríguez beat Leonardo Morales by unanimous decision of the judges;
Alejandro Pérez won José Quiñonez by unanimous decision of the judges;
Jessica Eye beat Leslie Smith via TKO (medical stoppage) in R2;
Gabriel Benítez submitted Humberto Brown with a guillotine choke in R3;
Henry Briones submitted Guido cannetti with a rear naked choke in R2;
Marco Beltrán won Marlon Vera by unanimous decision of the judges.
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