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[Warchief]

Back on the list of the greatest challengers to the UFC heavyweight title, now belonging to Rodrigo Minotauro, is Fabricio Werdum who has his next appointment in the octagon scheduled on his way to the coveted belt. The Chute Boxe black belt’s adversary will be Brandon Vera, a striker with nine MMA fights and but a single loss, to towering Tim Sylvia at UFC 77.

On the list of Vera’s triumphs his knockouts of Frank Mir and Brazilian Fabiano Pega-Leve can be included. The bout will take place on June 7th in London at UFC 85, so the Brazilian will have three months to prepare. GRACIEMAG.com spoke with the two-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion about his hopes for the fight, Brandon Vera and training.

GRACIEMAG.com: How has your break after the fight with Napao been?

Werdum: I spend a month in Spain with my family teaching a lot of seminars and assisting some of my students. I’m in Porto Alegre now where we are setting up a new Chute Boxe training center, which should be inaugurated on March 13th. However, I will be doing my training for the fight in Curitiba and in the future we will do an exchange between the two academies.

GRACIEMAG.com: And what about the fight with Brandon Vera, is it a done deal? What do you know about his game?

Werdum: It’s 100% confirmed. I accepted the fight right off the bat and I think it was well matched. It will be a good fight, it won’t stop, anything can happen. He’s a tough guy who’s going after his. He’s big and fast, a tall striker, he’s 1.88meters, and good with his knees, he’s also a Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and has gotten the submission in several fights.

GRACIEMAG.com: When will you be returning to heavy training? Have you talked to the team to lay out a strategy for the fight?

Werdum: I’ll go back to heavy training and see about my plan on Monday. I have three months to get ready. I’ll prepare myself a lot better for this fight, like never before. I want to be ready for anything.

GRACIEMAG.com: Do you think it’s already about time to fight for the title or do you think it’s best not rush things?

Werdum: After the fight with Napao, Dana White said I’d returned to the top 5 and that maybe I would get a shot at the title, but it wasn’t for sure. I already thought before I’d have to fight one more time. I think everything is happening at the right time, I don’t want to do anything prematurely. I don’t have the right to now because I lost to Arlovsky; if I’d won it would be another story. I have two more appearances on my UFC contract, I want to do this one and then fight for the belt.

GRACIEMAG.com: Would you like to face Minotauro for the belt? What did you think of his fight with Tim Sylvia?

Werdum: I was sure that Minotauro would submit him, but I knew it wouldn’t be easy. He’s really good, is always ahead of his adversary, thinking about the future. He surely practiced that move a lot. I’d like to fight him, to get a revenge match. I always modeled myself on him, but at the time we fought, I was not well, my Master Mauricao had just passed away.

Werdum comments on Brandon Vera





I like these two fighters equaly so "War For Both Of Ya"

[Severn]

Wow, unfortunate that Mauricao passed away before the fight. That's a hell of a thing to have on your head going into a match. I think he can beat Vera and if he does get by Vera then safe to say he's in contention for a title shot.

[Warchief]

Originally Posted by Severn

Wow, unfortunate that Mauricao passed away before the fight. That's a hell of a thing to have on your head going into a match.

That was in Pride Critical Countdown 2006, when he were a T-Shirt with the face of his Bjj coach on the front...he almost sub Noguira in last round, but i'ts already too late and he lost in decision.

[mcdev88]

well this is gonna be a great fight. i was against him getting a title shot anyway i thought he needed another quality win. i think the winner if this fight should get a title shot after hopefully AA.

[Noise Chopped]

Great. Hopefully Werdum goes on a tear this year.

[kennywuzhere]

oooh this one's tough to call....i like both of them!!!

WERDUM by unanimous decision forcing VERA to drop to LHW after 2 straight losses!!!

[perc10]

I think Mir should fight Vera,that last time Mir didnt look like himself. Werdum bores me to tears.

[Bigshanks666]

I like both of these fighters but I think Vera takes this one. IMO his BJJ is good enough to avoid Werdums subs and I think Vera wins it on the feet.

Vera tko rd2

[Intellectual]

Nog and AA have much better striking skills than Vera. I dont think Vera will be able to KO Werdum.

I got Werdum winning via decision.

[CJRockstar]

This is going to be a MONSTER of a fight. I really like Vera, but he will definately have his hands full with Werdum. I expect that your predictions of Werdum by UD will probably be the outcome, but I'm excited for the fight none the less. I'll still be rooting for Vera though.