F. Werdum (right) had few scares (Photo: Reproduction Twitter ufc)
After taking just 65 seconds to get the job done at UFC 216, when he finished Walt Harris with an armlock, Fabricio Werdum It seemed like he was willing to give the crowd a longer show. The main star of UFC Australia this Saturday (18), the Brazilian had a conservative performance, but did more than enough to overcome the dangerous Marcin tybura in the decision of the side judges. Two of the three judges gave all five rounds to “Vai Cavalo” and one of them gave only the last round to the Pole.
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The result of the sheets made clear the gulf in technique between Werdum and Tybura, but the Pole can be praised for his brave performance, as he showed a lot of chin and never stopped trying to knock out the former champion, who suffered from his rival's high kicks, especially in the last round, when he got dizzy with one of them.
Werdum, however, did his homework, defended his position in the heavyweight rankings (he is currently number two) and reiterated that he remains in the hunt for another chance at the heavyweight title, which he held between 2015 and 2016.
“I have two belts at home, on my shelf and I want the third before I retire. Every UFC fight, not just heavyweight, can end with just one punch. I congratulate Tybura, who has a bright future ahead of him, but I want the title”, pointed out the Brazilian.
THE FIGHT
Relying on his striking and his sharp muay thai, Fabricio Werdum He started the fight comfortably on his feet, landing good combinations on Tybura and always looking for his clinch, to unleash knees and elbows. Cleverly, the Pole changed his base all the time, trying to confuse the former champion. The variety of strikes, however, guaranteed the first two rounds for “Vai Cavalo”.
From the third round onwards, the Brazilian set a stronger pace, betting on Tybura's tiredness, who began to accept the clinch and launch punches in vain, making Werdum's job easier. In the fourth round, the submission almost came, with the jiu-jitsu black belt achieving a good takedown and working from half guard. The Pole showed good ground defense and got out of danger.
In the last round, knowing that he was behind on the cards, Tybura went into all or nothing mode and the high kicks started to come in. Werdum seemed a little careless, and allowed the Pole to grow, and accepted the exchange at close range, which offered him greater danger. However, Tybura's gas ran out in the final two minutes, allowing the Brazilian to return to the round and close the fight like the superior fighter he was throughout the fight.
Lackluster main card
B. Muhammad (left) beat T. Means (right) (Photo: Reproduction Instagram ufc)
The main portion of UFC Australia only had decisions, frustrating local fans, but providing some moments – especially in the duel between Belal Muhammad | e Tim means. After three rounds of a lot of striking and emotion, the Palestinian got the better of the North American and took on the pain of the Brazilians, challenging Colby covington and calling him “racist.”
Two top Australian prospects also did well: Alex Volkanovski opened the main card with a dominant, if lackluster, victory over Shane Young, imposing his takedown game against the New Zealander, while Jake matthews he interrupted a sequence of two defeats by beating Bojan Velickovic – the result was controversial, with many experts giving the victory to the Serb.
Flying knee and guillotine in the preliminaries
T. Tuivasa (right) landed a flying knee in his debut (Photo: Reproduction Instagram ufc_brasil)
While the preliminary portion of UFC Australia didn't have any big names, two big moments stood out. First, the newcomer Tai tuivasa he delighted the Australian fans with an excellent performance against Rashad Coulter. Then it was time to Nik lentz surprise his former teammate Will Brooks.
With seven wins in seven fights, Tuivasa was making his Ultimate debut against the tested Coulter, who was coming off a great duel against Chase sherman in May. Showing good takedown defense and knowing how to turn around when the fight got to the ground, the Australian exploded the arena at the end of the first round, when he stunned the North American with a follow-up and then unleashed a rare flying knee, which left Coulter completely unconscious. .
Lentz, an underdog against former Bellator champion Brooks, was at a disadvantage in the first round, when he took advantage of his rival's oversight to land a guillotine choke in the second round, recovering from a defeat to Islam makhachev and dealing the third consecutive setback for “Ill Will”, who has only won one of his four fights since leaving Bellator for the UFC.
UFC Australia results
main card
Heavy: Fabricio Werdum won Marcin tybura by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
Moscow: Jessica Rose Clark beat Bec Rawlings by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight: Belal Muhammad | won Tim means by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight: Jake matthews beat Bojan Velickovic by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Middleweight: Elias Theodorou beat Dan Kelly by unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-26)
Married weight: Alexander Volkanovsky won Shane Young by unanimous decision (30-27, 2x 30-26)
Preliminary Card
Fly: Ryan Benoit beat Ashkan Mokhtarian by TKO in R3
Mild: Nik lentz beat Will Brooks by submission (guillotine) in R2
Heavy: Tai tuivasa beat Rashad Coulter by knockout in R1
Lightweight: Frank Camacho defeated Damien Brown via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Palha: Nadia Kassem beat Alex Chambers by unanimous decision (2x 29-27, 29-28)
Fly: Eric Shelton defeated Jenel Lausa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Heavyweight: Adam Wieczorek beat Anthony Hamilton by unanimous decision (3x 29-28)
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