Fabricio Werdum Can Fight Or Wait For Cain Velasquez, It’s His Decision

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSP0 1pPH0Hp5SpRZhfhciHdSxi57yHDxfxzJCQ1NndSb 13rytfQFabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum is the number two ranked fighter in the heavyweight division and directly behind perennial number one challenger, Junior Dos Santos.

However and regardless of his second place standing, the next heavyweight title shot is his. As Junior is coming off of a loss to division champion Cain Velasquez, Vai Cavalo’s three fight winning streak and submission of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira last June, leaves him as the clear candidate of choice for the champ’s next match.

Yet, and according to Murphy’s Law, Werdum’s appointment with MMA destiny has been forestalled. As was reported yesterday, Velasquez has undergone surgery for a torn rotator cuff and will be sidelined for anywhere between five to six months. Tack on time for a training camp and it’s likely that the champ won’t be back in the Octagon for the better part of a year.

In anticipation of that problem, Werdum and his entourage travelled to Las Vegas this week to have discussions with UFC President Dana White, and all in an effort to establish what’s the next move for Vai Cavalo; wait or fight?

Regarding the question, Werdum has stated that White has told him that the decision is Fabricio’s to make. In a nutshell, that if Werdum wants to sit on the shelf for the next ten months he’s free to do so. However, if he’d like to take a fight, then he’s also free to do that as well.

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As to what Werdum’s decision might be, which apparently he will render next week, he appears to be leaning towards waiting.   

In speaking with MMAFighting.com Vai Cavalo summed the situation up, as such:

“They told me it’s my decision. I had a meeting with Dana White and my team, the UFC said it’s up to me, if I want to wait or fight again. I’m still thinking about it, but I believe I’m going to wait for this opportunity to fight for the title. I’m the next in line. But it’s not 100 percent, yet.”

“I believe (Cain Velasquez) will return soon, probably around July or August. It’s normal to recover quickly today, so that’s what I hope. I’ll even send my physical therapist to help him get better. I’ll pay for his recovery.

I’ll make my final decision next week. It’s an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something that I’ve been waiting for a long time. My biggest dream is to fight for the UFC title. I accomplished all my other dreams, becoming a world champion in jiu-jitsu and ADCC, and I still want the world title in MMA.””

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTa79aJ2pPItJDnESl S1LWv7Nphu65m44NBvzQ8Vgvz1JnUlYahQIn reading it, fans would probably hazard a guess that it sounds like Werdum is going to elect to wait out Velasquez’s surgery and rehab. Some might call it folly and others might think it the smart move. After all, title shots in the heavyweight division are not easy to come by.

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The calculation becomes more compounded when we consider who his choice for an opponent might be. As it stands, there are probably only two fighters he could draw, the winner of Josh Barnett and Travis Browne or the Brazilian mountain, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. Of the three possible outcomes, there’s not an easy fight in the pack.

Beyond that the UFC could offer him Junior Dos Santos, but some, particularly Werdum’s fans, might balk at the option. “Cigano” is coming off of a loss / beating from the champ and is not apt to get a title shot, should he win. However, the winner of Barnett and Browne would be deserving of a shot if they were to beat Werdum. Subsequently, a match with the winner of that fight makes a lot of sense and it also means that the division wouldn’t be backed up waiting on Werdum’s title shot. On the other hand, a fight with JDS make no sense; at least not from a records and rankings point of view.

As to Bigfoot, yes he probably fails on the same standard that JDS does; however, his last outing against Hunt was so impressive, that a win over Werdum and a subsequent win over the victor of Barnett / Brown, should put him back in the ring with the champ; even if only to be TKO’d for a third time.

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In a nutshell, Bigfoot has a big fight under his belt right now, draw or not, and Junior doesn’t. As such, Silva gets over the bar and Werdum’s fans wouldn’t complain about the match. Further, Bigfoot wants another fight “ASAP” and given that it would be a chance to avenge his 2009 Strikeforce loss to Werdum, Silva would probably welcome the fight. Put it all together and Silva stands a prime candidate for selection.

Another faint option might be Alistair Overeem. If “The Reem” can put Frank Mir away at UFC 169, which he should, then it would set up a rematch of Werdum & Overeem’s June 2011 Strikefoce match and a chance for Fabricio to wipe that stain clean. If Overeem won, he could then face the winner of Barnett / Brown, with the winner of that getting Velasquez.

The only real problem with the Reem scenario is schedule. As Overeem / Mir won’t transpire until February 1rst, it might mean that there’s too much calendar falling by the wayside for it to be a practical option.  

Taking it all into consideration, Werdum’s choices really seem to be the winner of Barnett / Browne, Bigfoot Silva, or to simply wait out Velasquez’s shoulder and work on his cardio, wrestling, stand-up and fight strategy, for the next ten months. Of the options and considering Velasquez’s strengths, Werdum might be wise to wait it out and train.