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ROUNDTABLE: How does Fabricio Werdum match up against UFC Champ Cain Velasquez?
Apr 22, 2014 - 3:10:06 PM ROUNDTABLE: How does Fabricio Werdum match up against UFC Champ Cain Velasquez?

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How do you think Fabricio Werdum matches up with Cain Velasquez for the UFC Heavyweight Title this fall? Do you give him more or less of a chance after the Travis Browne win than you would have given him last year? Why?


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

Werdum's performance on Saturday night was almost flawless; the only thing it lacked was a decisive finish. I was one of many who thought Travis Browne would make light work of him in the stand-up on route to an early finish. He not only proved to be very efficient in the stand-up, but also took Browne down with ease and effortlessly maneuvered him throughout. It was easily one of his best performances in the UFC, and it will subsequently make it easier to sell a prospective title fight with Cain Velasquez.

Before the fight I didn't give Werdum a chance against Velasquez, and despite the excellent performance, I still don't. Cain Velasquez is in a league of his own, and one fighter I'm not overly concerned about coming back with ring rust after a long lay-off. I'd give the advantage to Werdum in the submission game, but in my humble opinion, Velasquez is clearly superior at everything else. That includes wrestling and takedown defence, therefore instantly negating Werdum's only clear advantage. Take into account the fight is likely to take place in Mexico City, and it only adds credence to my confidence in Velasquez remaining heavyweight champion heading into 2015.


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Like a lamb being led to slaughter. It's not that Werdum isn't dangerous. It's not that he isn't vastly improved, even from the Werdum that choked out Fedor Emelianenko. It's not that he isn't among the best submission artists his weight class has ever seen. It's not that he can't take a punch, as he showed a fantastic chin on Saturday night. No. It's that Cain Velasquez is barely human, and is programmed to destroy all that are flesh and blood. I'm shocked if Werdum can survive two rounds with him.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I give him a better chance than I originally thought, as I was confident Browne would stop him early. Boy, was I wrong. His striking just keeps looking better and better, which is very key as he doesn't always need to take fights to the ground now as he can score points with his hands.

All that being said, I still think Cain decimates him. Cain is unlike anything we've seen at heavyweight before and I don't think people truly appreciate it. His cardio is so far ahead of any other heavyweight he is basically in a league of his own. I don't think he will gas like Browne did, and I think Werdum will have a difficult time dealing with the pace and cardio that the champion possesses.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I give him much more of a chance now. He looked great with his striking against Browne. I still think Velasquez wins, and I still think he should be the heavy favorite, but Werdum absolutely has a good chance to win. We know what Werdum has on the ground, and now we're seeing some very good striking from him as well. He also has the cardio to hang with Velasquez. My biggest question is if he has the killer instinct to win? He didn't show that against Browne. If Velasquez makes a mistake, will Werdum pounce and take advantage of it? He didn't do that with Browne so I have doubts that he'll do it against Velasquez. To be honest, I'll root for Werdum because of his age and having never been UFC champion, but I don't think he wins here.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

How impressive was Fabricio Werdum on Saturday night?! Not only did he totally dominate Travis Browne over five rounds, he did it while standing and trading punches with him. I didn't give Werdum any chance of getting the 'W' if he employed such tactics. We all know how good Browne is when a fight is played out in a stand up battle, though Saturday night this was quite the opposite. Werdum is known more for his Jit-Jitsu and grappling style, but it was his striking that was so impressive. Using superior head movement, footwork, and combinations that bewildered Browne for five rounds to earn a lopsided unanimous decision, he'll now go onto face Cain Valesquez for the Heavyweight Title.

Though Werdum came through with flying colours defeating Browne, going up against the current heavyweight champion Cain will be his biggest test to date. Cain has that style of fighting that will give any fighter nightmares, has relentless pace for five rounds, very good stand up, and is a beast on the mat. Werdum's only hope might be via submission, though I remember saying the same thing about Werdum defeating Browne, and look how that turned out!


CASH NORMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Listen Fabricio Werdum is a bad MFer, but so is Cain Valesquez. The prospects of Werdum beating Velasquez are slim. Initially, people may have not given Werdum a chance in the Browne fight - myself included - due to the quick and brutal way Browne had been knocking guys out; in addition, Werdum had a 10 month layoff.

Werdum is a very smart and clever fighter. In the time off, I'm sure he was not only training, improving his cardio, but also studying Cain's game. We were shown once again how effective his muay thai striking can be, as Browne's broken ribs can attest. We also know that Werdum will play mind games against his opponents; if we review his past fights, he did so by pulling guard and inviting Overeem to jump into it, or taunting Nelson and pointing at the mat, then to Browne by not only taunting, but also doing a kip up during the third round.

Fabricio Werdum's muay thai striking may be good enough to make the fight interesting with Velasquez. Since Werdum is not worried about being taken down, he may feel free to throw hard muay thai kicks. However, Werdum will be unable to lock on cruise control like he did in the fight with Browne. The constant pressure and pace of Velasquez will win him the fight.

[Cain Velasquez art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com