Fabricio Werdum or Cain Velasquez, who has the best chance against JDS?
Posted on June 25, 2012, 10:15 AM by Anton GurevichJunior dos Santos had defended his UFC Heavyweight title for the first time with a victory over Frank Mir at UFC 146. The champ is now 9-0 inside the Octagon, and is clearly considered as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.
Current top contenders in the UFC Heavyweight division – Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez, are responsible for the most important moments of Junior dos Santos’ UFC career. JDS made his Octagon debut with what was then a shocking knockout of Fabricio Werdum (UFC 90), and won the title three years with a quick demolition of Cain Velasquez at UFC on FOX 1. Both man lasted less than two minutes in the cage with Junior dos Santos.
Today, Junior dos Santos for a rematch with Cain Velasquez (will take place later this year), while Fabricio Werdum proves fight after fight that he has what it takes to challenge “Cigano”.
Here’s a quick analysis of Velasquez and Werdum’s chances to dethrone JDS:
Cain Velasquez (10-1):
Former UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez destroyed Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva to earn the right to rematch Junior dos Santos. Velasquez’s victory over “Bigfoot” proved he’s still one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC Heavyweight division, and a true #1 contender. It will be very interesting to see this fight last longer than 60 seconds, especially when both fighters are known for leaving everything inside the Octagon.
Prediction vs. JDS: I think Cain Velasquez is a bad match-up for Junior dos Santos, but at the same time, it’s hard to see the rematch playing out any different. Dos Santos has a strong stand-up base that would prevent from Velasquez to shoot his famous double-leg takedowns. Plus, the Brazilian’s speed, and most importantly – his ability to quickly change levels in striking would be a nightmare for the AKA product. Velasquez is more than a worthy opponent for Dos Santos, and has every chance to win this fight, but personally, I think dos Santos is a favorite in a rematch.
Fabricio Werdum (16-5-1):
Many fans underestimated Fabricio Werdum as a top Heavyweight contender. Vai Cavalo was released from his UFC duties after losing to Junior dos Santos (in what was Cigano’s debut), but re-invented himself as a fighter at Strikeforce. Werdum responded with victories over Mike Kyle, Antonio Silva and Fedor Emelianenko. His only loss was in a rather bizarre performance against Alistair Overeem, that actually showcased Werdum’s improved stand-up skills. K-1 World GP champ had problems to find his pace against Werdum, who landed more significant strikes during the fight (according to FightMetric).
Prediction vs. JDS: Werdum is a different fighter now than his was five (technically four) years ago, something I can’t say about Junior dos Santos. Thanks to his training with Rafael Cordeiro, Fabricio Werdum is now a legitimate threat in stand-up not only to both Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos. Obviously, BJJ remains Fabricio Werdum’s main strength, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Vai Cavalo” going toe-to-toe with JDS in stand up. In my humble opinion, Fabricio Werdum poses a much bigger threat to Junior dos Santos’ reign as the undisputed UFC Heavyweight than most of us think.
Cover Photo: http://douglaskjessup.com/
Comments
Cain. I don't see Werdum being able to take it to the ground against JDS and as much as his striking has progressed, I don't think he'd have much of a chance in the standup. Cain on the other hand might be able to do better with his wrestling in a rematch and combined with holding JDS against the fence and dirty boxing, he might have a chance.
I think Werdum has a better chance than Cain, if he uses the same strategy he did against FEDOR THE MIGHTY LAST EMPEROR !
He can fake like if he is hurt, and fall volontary to the ground and when JDS would come on top to finish him he can try to submit him
I would have to go with Cain for now, even though I was praising Wedrum in another thread, both JDS, and Cain were injured in there fight, JDS may have even been injured more, but since Cain is a wrestler his injury basicly took away his takedowns, it will be a different fight, and game plan this time around. Im still picking JDS to KO cain though.
He did not attempt a takedown, actually he did not attempt anything in that fight.... I would like to see the rematch, which will happen.
I would agree with you but I feel that Fedor is easier to get down than JDS who will not be baited to the ground. No offense I believe Fedor to be an all time great but I think stylistically only he would venture into Werdums world of BJJ.
he already tried that shit against OVEREEM and he looked like a fool. Werdum might have chance getting him against the cage and land some big knees but JDS footwork is to good werdum wud have to eat some shots to do it and we all know what happened last time he took a shot from JDS he got KTFO.
Cain has a chance for sure that is obvious. if he can keep him down and land some brutal GnP make it a Bloodbath like his last fight
Yep, Cain. Although Werdum's standup has definitely improved, in my opinion it's his hand speed, not his footwork.
You certainly wouldn't want to be a static target for JDS and the speed with which Junior moves in and out is frightening.
Cain on the other hand has a much better chance if he can get in without getting tagged. He's a beast when it comes to dominating fighters on the ground and although JDS is a high level of BJJ under the noguiera's (Brown belt?) i still think Cain could hold him down, nullify the threat and do some big damage.
i am more interested in a fight between werdum and cain!! i think both rematches against jds will have the same ending ...by K.O.
Im still insist on my opinion, stylistically Alistair Overeem and Mark Hunt has the best chance against JDS. But both of them will be out of the picture for a while...
About Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, imho they have a equal chance, and its not a fat chance .
Both of them already fought and lost to JDS. Both need to take down for a win (Cain G&P and Werdum Subm.) Both doesnt stand a chance for a stand up war...
Its about who deserves the shot, its Werdum before Cain.
If it comes down to who deserves it more you can argue that Cain should of got an instant rematch due to him being the champ & an early stoppage.
That was not an early stoppage. The dude was asleap.
He wasn't asleep, but it wasn't early either.
He went totally limp. It wasn't for long but it happened. I
"cooled" you BTW. Don't know why anyone would have "weaked" that comment.
Werdum vs. Velasquez #1 Contender bout.
Done. :D
this makes no sense for the ufc.
why take out two contenders in one fight when u can have both of them compete for the title.
if cain vs werdum for #1 contender who would fight for the title next? ben rothwell? or .... GOAT brock lesner!!!!!
lol jk JDS would look at brock and he would crawl into the fetal position.
I say Cain is the better matchup stylistically but if we pitted Cain vs Werdum I might be up for placing werdum to win again because of styles.
JDS VS Cain II = Same ending
JDS VS Werdum II = Same ending.
It doesn't matter who JDS fights at this point.
Cigano all the way !!!!!
Neither one has much of a chance. So as long as Sonnen stays at middleweight, and Overeem is on the shelf , Cigano will be champ
I see Cain as having the best shot and I think it is a pretty good shot. In the last fight Cain was tentative and clearly suffering from ring rust. Beyond that you can't say too much about the fight or use it to predict future outcomes because it was over too quickly to glean any useful information from. If Cain can get the take down and I am betting that he can, it could be a long night for Dos Santos. If they do fight it will be clear who will win by the end of round one. Werdum has a chance too but I would definitely choose JDS to win that one.
Styles make fights though and if Werdum and Cain fight for the slot I am picking Werdum to win because of his BJJ and in my opinion better striking.
I think the better match up would be Werdum at the moment, but not by much.
The best match up right now would be Jon Jones, and Jonny Bones would win.
Bones would take a nap. If Lyoto can take round one, Dos Santos can put him away in it. He moves in and out just as quickly and has way more power.
JDS is fast, but it's pretty hilarious that you think he's as fast as Machida.
Would love to see that. I mean if Jones is supposedly man handling guys like Travis Browne in the practice room, he shouldn't have much of a problem with JDS's size. I'd personally lean towards JDS though. 5-round fight, I can't see Jones finishing Junior, and I really don't think Jon has enough time and striking experience to avoid getting hit by JDS for that long.
Jones with properly added size I would take over any HW about 230-240 with his legs thickening up would be scary, If he can get that take down he can use those hellbows
Werdum has been in their with a lot of great strikers and avoided any major damage. Obviously JDS is the one guy who did put him to sleep, but the rematch still interests me, as does the rematch with Cain.
The last time he was "in their with a great striker" he mostly avoided damage by spending large parts of the fight flopping and lying on his back. People look at the compustrike stats and whatnot, and give him way too much credit for a terrible performance.
Werdum was never a threat to Overeem. Sure, he scored a few points, but he refused to really engage and did nothing to try to finish the fight. He was able to land some strikes against Overeem because he had a speed advantage, which he most certainly does not against JDS.
If he stands with JDS, he will certainly get KTFO'd again quickly, but that's not going to happen. What you are going to see is 25 minutes of Werdum lying on his back with his legs open, smiling up at JDS and beckoning to him., which is why I never want to see that fight.
Hopefully neither.
Cause watching JDS get held on the ground by either guy sounds much much less entertaining then watching Junior rack up another highlight KO