Fabricio Werdum vs Roy Nelson at UFC 143

Fabricio Werdum wasn't exactly the most talked about heavyweight on the planet after getting knocked out in Junior dos Santos' UFC debut and then sent packing from the promotion. Werdum would see his name value skyrocket in June of 2010 when he became the first man in almost ten years to defeat Fedor Emelianenko. The loss to dos Santos also looked better once Junior established himself as the top heavyweight in the world, now holding the UFC title.

While Werdum lost his last Strikeforce fight, a decision against Alistair Overeem, he was brought back to the UFC and now his first fight back has been scheduled.

Nelson's (16-6) UFC tenure was teetering on the brink following back-to-back losses to Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir, but he bounced back strong in his most recent fight. Nelson took the fight to Mirko "Cro Cop Filipovic at UFC 137, likely ending the Croatian's career via a third-round TKO stoppage.

This is a great test for both men as both have decent striking but very solid grappling skills. It's likely to turn into a striking match with Werdum's better technique against Roy's bigger power.

Via bloodyelbow.com





Great fight IMO, who you got?

Nelson should be able to keep this standing and get a TKO or UD for me

What an excellent topic Axe!

Werdum UD for me.

I'm going Nelson via Ko/Tko.

I think Werdum's only shot at winning this is hoping Nelson takes him down and getting a sub from bottom. He won't knock him out and I don't think he will be able to take him down. I don't think he will outstrike him either.

Quite a tough pick.

Werdum isn't quite the liability on his feet that some people think he is. Other than the Dos Santos loss, he generally has shown himself to be a decent survivor standing. I certainly don't think Nelson can really match the standing offence of guys like Arlovski or Kharitonov who Werdum was able to survive. It wouldn't shock me if Werdum was able to utilize his leg kicks a bit.

Having said that, I think Nelson would stop the majority of Werdum's takedown attempts, so we'll probably see Werdum pulling guard, and I'm not sure what he can get going against Nelson from guard or half guard.

I could see this being quite a dull one to be honest. Slow paced sprawl and brawl, Werdum flopping to his back a bit.

P4p and efils, you really see Nelson KO'ing Werdum when Overeem couldn't?

Yeah fair point!! I know he's no slouch standing, I just think he'll struggle with Nelson's size and strength.

I agree with pretty much everything Sun said. I don't actually see this being the best fight. If Werdum can't get Nelson down he won't engage. It will be the same thing that happened Overoid and Arvloski.

Werdum is quicker standing though and has good leg kicks. I think Werdum's best chance is to look at Mirs fight with Nelson and go from there.

I would rather Mir-Werdum and Roy-Bigfoot.

I dunno axe, if i was picking it'd be Nelson UD, but the guy has power so why not. It depends how Werdum fights but as others have said i'm not sure this'll be the most entertaining fight. I still have shudders thinking of Werdums antics against Overeem, begging him to go to the ground etc.

It depends how Werdum fights. If he fights like that, then Nelson UD. If he engages then sure Nelson has a chance at a KO/TKO.

I'd go with Werdum with a shut out think Nelson's power is way overrated and Werdum's chins seems to be underrated because he got knocked out by JDS I mean who else has he been knocked out by.

Werdum Sub.

Werdum by decision if not sub.

i like how the OP said "both men have very sold grappling skills" as if
a) they were on the same level, and
b) being the best heavyweight grappler in the world is "very solid".

Werdum by sub, for me. But like a few, I don't see it being an entertaining fight at all.