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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Fabricio Werdum would really like a second fight with Junior dos Santos. Back in 2008, a then-unknown dos Santos debuted in the UFC with a spectacular uppercut knockout of Werdum, who at the time was considered one of the top heavyweights in the sport. He had been unhappy that he got passed over for a shot at the title by Brock Lesnar, and he came into the dos Santos bout a bit out of shape and unfocused for a serious challenge in the UFC newcomer.
That loss and a contract dispute with the UFC led him to Strikeforce, where he shocked the MMA world with an upset win over Fedor Emelianenko in 2010. Now back in the UFC and on a two-fight winning streak after stopping Mike Russow at Saturday's UFC 147 event, Werdum wants to make a run at the UFC Title. With Junior dos Santos taking on Cain Velasquez a second time at some point this fall, Werdum would like to fight on whatever card they headline. Then, with a win at that event, he'd hope to be the next in line for a title shot.
"I'm not choosing [who to fight next]," Werdum said of that next bout after Saturday's UFC 147 card (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com). "I'll be ready for any one of them. I can beat Overeem, Frank Mir, and I'll do my best to fight for the title. I believe I can beat my next opponent to go for the title."
"This is a different time now. I'm 100 percent professional. Back in that time [when I first fought dos Santos], I wasn't. I'm sure now I would feel more confident than back then. Today, the fight would be totally different – I would be ready for him."
Penick's Analysis: If Werdum gets a fight this fall on the same card dos Santos and Velasquez meet, a win should probably put him next in line, provided Daniel Cormier hasn't been brought over yet. A three fight winning streak at heavyweight for Werdum should be enough, provided his next opponent is a solid name and a test in the cage. He definitely has an argument to leapfrog Alistair Overeem, despite his loss to Overeem by decision in 2011, but three straight UFC wins and not failing a drug test helps his case. Besides, Overeem should probably have to win one more fight after his positive drug test cost him his 2012 fighting campaign. That would set up the next few Heavyweight Title challengers with Velasquez, Werdum, and then presumably Overeem and Cormier getting in there in 2013 and 2014.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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