F. Werdum (right) returns to fight at UFC 213 (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)
The heavy weight Fabricio Werdum can kill two birds with one blow at UFC 213 on July 8th. On that occasion, the Brazilian faces alistair overeem in a trilogy. “Vai Cavalo” can get ahead of his rival in direct confrontations and even stamp his passport towards the new title fight. At least that's what the former Ultimate champion hopes.
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Before having his duel scheduled with the Dutchman, however, Werdum had scheduled duels against Cain Velásquez and Ben Rothwell, but both clashes were canceled due to injuries to the Americans. Despite his frustration, the Brazilian ensures he is focused to face Overeem.
“until the fight, it will be ten months without competing. I don't like staying still for so long. But I had two fights canceled during this period. I was ready for the Cain Velazquez, but the fight fell a week earlier. Then they marked Ben Rothwell, but he ended up caught doping. I was very sad, because two fights were canceled and I ended up not fighting for a long time. But now they’ve scheduled this one with Overeem and I know that a victory against him could lead to a new title fight”, commented the Brazilian.
When talking specifically about Overeem, Werdum sees himself at an advantage because he has evolved more than the Dutchman after the last time the two faced each other, back in Strikeforce. At the time, “The Reem got the upper hand. The two also fought at Pride, when “Vai Cavalo” won.
“The score is tied. But many things have changed from our previous fights to now. I think I've evolved a lot and he hasn't so much. Overeem has evolved psychologically and is more intelligent fighting, but I don't see a new technique or a change in his style. For my part, I think I have made considerable progress. From 2006 to now I have improved, mainly, my Muay Thai and my physical side. In our first fight, for example, I only knew jiu-jitsu. So, I think he has evolved more than he has in the last ten years”, he assured.
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