Fabricio Werdum Is Confident In His Striking Skills Heading Into Bout With Travis Browne

Fabricio Werdum’s return to the UFC ranks has been quite a success so far; ‘Vai Cavalo’ is riding a three fight win streak, most recently tapping out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC on Fuel, last June. The Strikeforce and Pride FC veteran became the only man to submit Fedor Emelianenko, and also to submit both Emelianenko brothers when he caught ‘The Last Emperor’ in a tight triangle back in 2010.

Werdum has now been matched with young gun Travis Browne and is expected to fight ‘Hapa’ UFC on Fox 11. The fight will decide the next challenger to Cain Velasquez’s Heavyweight crown; something that Werdum feels he is more than ready for:

“After much conversation, we decided. After one year the fans would say: ‘Why is Werdum fighting for the belt after a year off?’ And with so many things that might happen in 2014, imagine how many heavyweights will not have [the same opportunity]? And then all of a sudden I come out of nowhere, what was I waiting for? It wouldn’t be right. So I’m going to do this fight with Travis Browne to show once again that I am ready for the belt.”

Werdum is a 12-year veteran of the sport, and at 36 years of age it could be the last roll of the dice for the Brazilian grappling ace. Losses to Alistair Overeem and Junior Dos Santos have blotted Werdum’s recent record, although he has a decent 6-2 since 2008.

“I’m going to have to put him on the ground. Of course, I won’t be able to avoid the stand-up, but I’ve been training with Rafael Cordeiro for [almost] seven years, so I’m pretty confident in my striking.”

“Cain is a guy who likes to rely on his wrestling. He is a good striker, but he likes to get to the floor and finish the fight there. Browne likes to keep things on the feet, so I don’t see him taking me down. I’m going to have to adapt the strategy,” Werdum said while talking to Sherdog

‘Vai Cavalo’ certainly has improved stand up skills, but I’m unsure that he can hang with a gunner like Browne. His grappling credentials far outweigh those of ‘Hapa’, so I think he should stick with his bread and butter here.

With the top end of yet another division becoming very clogged up, could Werdum capitalize on the situation? A win over Browne is surely the only chance for Werdum now. A loss would prove that he has a few years left as a high level gatekeeper, but an impressive finish would give Werdum the best opportunity of his entire career.