Fabrício Werdum

Fabrício Werdum (Portuguese pronunciation: [faˈbɾisju veʁˈdũ]; born 30 July 1977) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Heavyweight Champion who competes in the Heavyweight division.[7] He is also a 4-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club World Heavyweight Champion and a member of the ADCC Hall of Fame.[8] He holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu,[4] Judo,[5] and Muay Thai.[9] Werdum has competed in PRIDE, the UFC, Strikeforce, and Jungle Fight.[10] At the time of his departure from the UFC, Werdum was #14 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.[11][12][13]

Fabrício Werdum
Werdum in 2009
Born (1977-07-30) 30 July 1977 (age 46)
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Other namesVai Cavalo (Go Horse)[1]
ResidenceTorrance, California, U.S.
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight242 lb (110 kg; 17 st 4 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach77 in (196 cm)[2]
StyleBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Fighting out ofLos Angeles, California, U.S.
TeamKings MMA
Werdum Combat Team
Akhmat Fight Club[3]
Rank2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Octávio "Ratinho" Couto[4]
Black belt in Judo[5]
Black belt in Muay Thai under Rafael Cordeiro[6]
Years active2002–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total36
Wins24
By knockout6
By submission12
By decision6
Losses10
By knockout3
By decision7
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Submission Wrestling
ADCC World Championships
Silver medal – second place2011 Nottingham+99 kg
Gold medal – first place2009 Barcelona+99 kg
Gold medal – first place2007 New Jersey+99 kg
Bronze medal – third place2005 Long Beach+99 kg
Bronze medal – third place2003 São PauloOpen
Silver medal – second place2003 São Paulo+99 kg
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Jiu-Jitsu Championships
Gold medal – first place2004 Rio de Janeiro+100 kg (Black)
Bronze medal – third place2004 Rio de JaneiroOpen (Black)
Gold medal – first place2003 Rio de Janeiro+100 kg (Black)
Bronze medal – third place2002 Rio de Janeiro-100 kg (Brown)
Silver medal – second place2001 Rio de JaneiroOpen (Purple)
Gold medal – first place2000 Rio de JaneiroOpen (Blue)
Gold medal – first place2000 Rio de Janeiro-100 kg (Blue)
CBJJO World Jiu-Jitsu Cup
Silver medal – second place2003 Rio de Janeiro+100 kg (Black)
Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships
Silver medal – second place2003Open (Black)
Bronze medal – third place2003+100 kg (Black)
Gold medal – first place2002-100 kg (Brown)
Gold medal – first place2001Open kg (Purple)
Gold medal – first place2001-100 kg (Purple)
Gold medal – first place2000-100 kg (Blue)

Early life and education

Born in Porto Alegre, Werdum started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu after being choked unconscious with a triangle choke by the ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend. He trained with Marcio Corleta at the Porto Alegre Academy, Winner Behring. After success in competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling, he started his career in MMA. He moved to Spain to join his mother, who had been living in Madrid. As a purple belt, he started teaching the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Madrid and other cities of Spain. Despite only training with white and blue belts, he became a BJJ World Champion, being promoted to the rank of black belt by Master Sylvio Behring three years later.[14]

Mixed martial arts career

Werdum's early fights were with the promotions Jungle Fight, Millennium Brawl, and World Absolute Fight. He boasted a 4–0–1 record, including a win against BJJ specialist Gabriel Gonzaga. He was Mirko Filipović’s sparring partner at that time and the Croat was the main reason for his debut in PRIDE.

PRIDE Fighting Championships

In 2005, Werdum made his PRIDE debut against Tom Erikson, winning by submission. Later that year he faced Roman Zentsov in PRIDE Final Conflict 2005, he was able to defeat Zentsov by a triangle choke in 6:01 of the first round. Werdum then had the first loss in his MMA career, when he lost to Sergei Kharitonov via split decision in PRIDE 30. Then in early 2006, Werdum defeated Jon Olav Einemo by unanimous decision in PRIDE 31.

He accumulated a record of 3–1 in PRIDE before entering the 2006 Pride Open Weight Grand Prix. His first match of the tournament was against Dutch fighter Alistair Overeem, and he won via kimura in the second round. He then faced former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira in the quarter-finals, losing via decision.

Werdum then had a short stint in 2 Hot 2 Handle, facing Alexander Emelianenko in a Heavyweight bout, and beating the Russian by submission via triangle choke armbar combination.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Fabrício Werdum debuted in the UFC on 21 April 2007 at UFC 70: Nations Collide. He faced former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski, losing via unanimous decision. He began to train in Brazil at Chute Boxe Academy, becoming more aggressive and showing improvement in his striking, particularly in Muay Thai attacks.

At UFC 80 on 19 January 2008, Werdum met Gabriel Gonzaga in a rematch. Werdum won the bout by TKO. He weathered an early striking onslaught only to secure the Muay Thai clinch and connect with several knee strikes before taking Gonzaga to the ground and finishing him with punches.

Werdum's next fight was against Brandon Vera at UFC 85. He defeated Vera by TKO in the 1st round. Werdum achieved full mount with less than 30 seconds to go in the round and connected with a number of unanswered punches. The decision to stop the bout was booed due to the small amount of time remaining in the round, although the official time of stoppage was 4:40.

In his next fight at UFC 90, Werdum was heavily favored to win but was knocked out in 1:20 of the first round via uppercut by debuting Junior dos Santos. After the loss Werdum's contract was terminated by the UFC.[15] Since Werdum was not contacted directly about the termination he had no idea he had been cut and initially denied the news of him no longer being in the UFC as just a rumor.[16]

Strikeforce

After leaving the UFC Werdum then signed with Strikeforce.[10] He made his debut at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg on 15 August 2009, against fellow UFC veteran Mike "MAK" Kyle. He won by submission in 1:24 of the first round. Werdum followed that up with a unanimous decision victory over Antônio "Bigfoot" Silva at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers.

Werdum faced former Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko on 26 June 2010, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum. In an enormous upset victory, Werdum forced Fedor to tap via triangle/armbar 1:09 into the first round.[17] The victory ended Emelianenko's 28-fight unbeaten streak[17][18] while propelling Werdum's status up the Heavyweight rankings. He was ranked as the third-best Heavyweight in MMA by Sherdog.[19]The victory over Fedor also gave him the distinction of being the only man to hold victories over both of the Emelianenko brothers.

A rematch with Alistair Overeem took place on 18 June 2011, at Strikeforce: Dallas as part of an eight-man Heavyweight Tournament. Werdum lost to Overeem by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28). He has received some criticism for "pleading" Overeem to fight him on the ground in order to get into a position favorable to him due to his Brazilian jiu-jitsu background.[20]

Ultimate Fighting Championship return

On 8 November 2011, Werdum made his return to the UFC via contract-signing. It was speculated that his return fight might be against Brendan Schaub, a fight he expressed an interest in.[21] The bout, however, did not materialize.

Instead, for his return match, Werdum faced Roy Nelson at UFC 143 on 4 February 2012.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27). The back and forth action earned Fight of the Night honors.

Werdum next faced Mike Russow on 23 June 2012, at UFC 147.[23] Werdum won the match against Russow in the first-round via TKO.[24]

Werdum coached opposite Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. The two met in a rematch at the conclusion of the season, on 8 June 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Werdum.[25] He won the fight via verbal submission due to an armbar in the second round. The victory also gives him the distinction of being the only fighter to hold submission victories over both Fedor Emelianenko and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira both whom were former PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champions.

Werdum faced Travis Browne at UFC on Fox 11 in a Heavyweight title eliminator bout.[26] Despite being a betting underdog and considered at a disadvantage in terms of striking, Werdum dominated the fight for nearly all five rounds. He won the fight via unanimous decision (49–46, 50–45, and 50–45).[27]

Heavyweight title

On 29 April 2014, the UFC announced that Werdum and heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez had been selected as coaches for the inaugural installment of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, with the two expected to face each other on 15 November 2014 at UFC 180.[28]

On 21 October 2014, it was announced that Velasquez pulled out of the bout due to a knee injury. Werdum instead faced Mark Hunt for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 180.[29][30] Despite being dropped by punches early on, he won the fight via TKO in the second round, becoming the new UFC interim Heavyweight Champion.[31] The win also earned Werdum his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[32]

A rescheduled bout with Velasquez took place on 13 June 2015, at UFC 188 in Mexico City.[33] In a back-and-forth affair, Werdum won the fight in the third round by guillotine choke submission.[34] The win earned Werdum his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.[35] With the victory, Werdum unified the UFC's heavyweight titles and became the undisputed champion.[36] Subsequently, Werdum signed a new, eight-fight contract with the UFC.[37]

Losing the Heavyweight Championship

A rematch with Velasquez was expected to take place on 6 February 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82.[38] However, Velasquez pulled out of the bout due to a back injury on 23 January and was replaced by Stipe Miocic.[39] On the following day, Werdum announced that he was pulling out of the event due to an injury as well.[40] The bout with Miocic was rescheduled and took place on 14 May 2016, at UFC 198.[41] Werdum lost the fight via knockout in the first round after rushing in with an attempted flurry of punches and was caught with a counter right hook, suffering his first defeat since June 2011.[42]

Post-title

Werdum was expected to face Ben Rothwell on 10 September 2016 at UFC 203.[43] However, Rothwell pulled out of the fight on 11 August citing a knee injury and was replaced by former opponent Travis Browne.[44] Werdum won the fight by unanimous decision.[45] After the bout, Travis' coach Edmond Tarverdyan angrily confronted Werdum, who push kicked the coach in the chest and raise his hands to defend himself. This resulted in both fighter corners having to get involved to separate the two men. No disciplinary action was taken against Werdum for the incident.

Werdum was expected to face Cain Velasquez in a rematch at UFC 207 on 30 December 2016.[46] However the Nevada State Athletic Commission failed to approve Velasquez to fight, determining after physical examinations and interviews that he was unfit to compete.[47]

The bout with Ben Rothwell was rescheduled and expected to take place on 13 May 2017 at UFC 211. The bout was canceled due to Rothwell failing a drug test.[48]

A third fight with Alistair Overeem took place on 8 July 2017 at UFC 213.[49] Although coming close to finishing Overeem in the third round, Werdum lost the bout via somewhat controversial majority decision.[50]

Werdum was expected to face Derrick Lewis on 7 October 2017 at UFC 216.[51] However, the day of the event Lewis was unable to fight due to back issues. Werdum agreed to face last-minute replacement Walt Harris on the card.[51] After securing a single leg takedown almost immediately, Werdum quickly secured back mount and transitioned to an armbar for the victory just over a minute into the fight.[52]

Werdum faced Marcin Tybura on 19 November 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura.[53][54] He dominated most of the action and won the fight via unanimous decision.[55]

Werdum faced Alexander Volkov on 17 March 2018 at UFC Fight Night 127.[56] He lost the back-and-forth fight via knockout in the fourth round.[57]

USADA suspension

Werdum was expected to face Alexey Oleynik on 15 September 2018 at UFC Fight Night 136.[58] However, on 22 May, Fabrício Werdum was flagged for a potential USADA doping violation.[59] In September 2018 it was revealed that the substance in question was trenbolone and as a result he was suspended from competition for 2 years.[60] He was eligible to return in May 2020.[61] Having two fights left in his contract, Werdum announced that he has requested for a release from the UFC.[62] Subsequently, Werdum's 2-year suspension was reduced to 10 months for substantial assistance.[63]

Return from suspension

Werdum was expected to face Alexey Oleynik on 9 May 2020 at UFC 250.[64] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed[65] and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020, at UFC 249.[66] Werdum lost the fight via split decision.[67]

Werdum faced Alexander Gustafsson on July 26, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 14, the latter making his debut at heavyweight.[68] He won the fight via an armbar submission in round one.[69] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[70] After the fight, Werdum chose not to re-sign with the UFC.[71]

Professional Fighters League

On November 16, 2020, Werdum announced he had signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League promotion and will compete in the 2021 PFL heavyweight tournament.[7] He made his promotional debut against Team Nogueira fighter Renan Ferreira on May 6, 2021, at PFL 3.[72] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round. The loss was surrounded by controversy as replays showed Ferreira tapping out while Werdum had him locked into a triangle choke right before Ferreira finished Werdum.[73] On May 10, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board announced that Ferreira's TKO win against Werdum was overturned to a no contest due to the controversy of the stoppage.[74][75]

Werdum was scheduled to face Brandon Sayles on June 25, 2021, at PFL 6.[76] However, it was later announced that Werdum had pulled out due to injuries suffered in his last bout.[77]

Gamebred FC

After over two years away from competing in the sport, Werdum announced that he had signed a new contract with an unnamed promotion.[78] Werdum was then booked to compete against in a rematch against Junior Dos Santos in a bare knuckle MMA fight at a Gamebred FC event on September 8, 2023.[79] He lost the fight by split decision.[80]

Schools and instruction

Until November 2006, Werdum was the Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach to Mirko Filipović and is associated with Team Werdum BJJ Academy, located in Zagreb, Croatia.[81] Through 2008 Werdum was a BJJ head coach in Madrid, Spain for the Barcelo Boxing Gym.[82] Werdum is currently training with Kings MMA.[83]

Werdum currently teaches in Venice, California, at his new school Werdum Combat Team.[84]

On 4 October 2015 Werdum signed a contract with Chechen Akhmat Fight Club to represent the club.[85]

Championships and accomplishments

Personal life

Werdum has two daughters with his wife Karine.[88] Werdum is fluent in Portuguese, English and Spanish, having lived in Spain for 10 years, and as his mother is of Spanish descent. Werdum was previously a Spanish-language commentator for the UFC and often comes to the octagon with the Spanish flag, as well as the Brazilian one.[89]

From 2004 to 2006, Werdum lived and trained together with Mirko Filipović in Zagreb, Croatia.[90]

In January 2019, Werdum made the news when he and a lifeguard rescued drowning teenagers at a beach near his home in Torrance, California.[91]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
36 matches24 wins10 losses
By knockout63
By submission120
By decision67
Draws1
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss24–10–1 (1)Junior dos SantosDecision (split)Gamebred Fighting Championship 58 September 202335:00Jacksonville, Florida, United StatesBare Knuckle MMA.
NC24–9–1 (1)Renan FerreiraNo Contest (overturned)PFL 36 May 202112:32Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesOriginally a TKO (punches) win for Ferreira; later ruled a no contest after it was determined Ferreira tapped out to a triangle choke applied by Werdum.
Win24–9–1Alexander GustafssonSubmission (armbar)UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till26 July 202012:30Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesPerformance of the Night.
Loss23–9–1Aleksei OleinikDecision (split)UFC 2499 May 202035:00Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Loss23–8–1Alexander VolkovKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov17 March 201841:38London, England
Win23–7–1Marcin TyburaDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura19 November 201755:00Sydney, Australia
Win22–7–1Walt HarrisSubmission (armbar)UFC 2167 October 201711:05Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss21–7–1Alistair OvereemDecision (majority)UFC 2138 July 201735:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win21–6–1Travis BrowneDecision (unanimous)UFC 20310 September 201635:00Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Loss20–6–1Stipe MiocicKO (punch)UFC 19814 May 201612:47Curitiba, BrazilLost the UFC Heavyweight Championship
Win20–5–1Cain VelasquezSubmission (guillotine choke)UFC 18813 June 201532:13Mexico City, MexicoWon and unified the UFC Heavyweight Championship
Win19–5–1Mark HuntTKO (knee and punches)UFC 18015 November 201422:27Mexico City, MexicoWon the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win18–5–1Travis BrowneDecision (unanimous)UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne19 April 201455:00Orlando, Florida, United StatesUFC heavyweight title eliminator
Win17–5–1Antônio Rodrigo NogueiraSubmission (armbar)UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Werdum8 June 201322:41Fortaleza, Brazil
Win16–5–1Mike RussowTKO (punches)UFC 14723 June 201212:28Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Win15–5–1Roy NelsonDecision (unanimous)UFC 1434 February 201235:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Loss14–5–1Alistair OvereemDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum18 June 201135:00Dallas, Texas, United StatesStrikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Win14–4–1Fedor EmelianenkoSubmission (triangle armbar)Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum26 June 201011:09San Jose, California, United States
Win13–4–1Antônio SilvaDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers7 November 200935:00Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win12–4–1Mike KyleSubmission (guillotine choke)Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg15 August 200911:24San Jose, California, United States
Loss11–4–1Junior dos SantosTKO (punches)UFC 9025 October 200811:20Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win11–3–1Brandon VeraTKO (punches)UFC 857 June 200814:40London, England
Win10–3–1Gabriel GonzagaTKO (punches)UFC 8019 January 200824:34Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Loss9–3–1Andrei ArlovskiDecision (unanimous)UFC 7021 April 200735:00Manchester, England
Win9–2–1Alexander EmelianenkoSubmission (arm-triangle choke)2H2H: Pride & Honor12 November 200613:24Rotterdam, Netherlands
Loss8–2–1Antônio Rodrigo NogueiraDecision (unanimous)Pride FC - Critical Countdown Absolute1 July 200635:00Saitama, Japan2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win8–1–1Alistair OvereemSubmission (kimura)Pride FC - Total Elimination Absolute5 May 200623:43Osaka, Japan2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win7–1–1John-Olav EinemoDecision (unanimous)Pride 31 - Dreamers26 February 200635:00Saitama, Japan
Loss6–1–1Sergei KharitonovDecision (split)Pride 3023 October 200535:00Saitama, Japan
Win6–0–1Roman ZentsovSubmission (triangle armbar)Pride Final Conflict 200528 August 200516:01Saitama, Japan
Win5–0–1Tom EriksonSubmission (rear-naked choke)Pride 2920 February 200515:29Saitama, Japan
Win4–0–1Ebenezer Fontes BragaKO (punch)Jungle Fight 215 May 200421:28Manaus, Brazil
Win3–0–1Gabriel GonzagaTKO (punches)Jungle Fight 113 September 200332:11Manaus, Brazil
Win2–0–1Kristof MidouxSubmission (triangle armbar)WAFF 2: World Absolute Fight 222 March 200314:11Marrakech, Morocco
Draw1–0–1James ZikicDrawMillennium Brawl 822 September 200235:00High Wycombe, EnglandWerdum was deducted 1 point for an illegal knee.
Win1–0Tengiz TedoradzeSubmission (triangle choke)Millennium Brawl 716 June 20021N/AHigh Wycombe, England

Pay-per-view bouts

No.EventFightDateVenueCityPPV Buys
1.UFC 180Werdum vs. HuntNovember 15, 2014Arena Ciudad de MéxicoMexico City, Mexico190,000[92]
2.UFC 188Velasquez vs. WerdumJune 13, 2015Arena Ciudad de MéxicoMexico City, Mexico300,000[93]
3.UFC 198Werdum vs. MiocicMay 14, 2016Arena da BaixadaCuritiba, Brazil217,000[94]

See also

References

External links

Achievements
Preceded by 18th UFC Heavyweight Champion
13 June 2015 – 14 May 2016
Succeeded by