Heavyweight championship bout: Fabricio Werdum def. Cain Velasquez via submission (Guillotine choke) 2:13 R3 to become the new UFC heavyweight champion of the world.
Lightweight: Eddie Alvarez def. Gilbert Melendez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum def. Nate Marquardt via TKO (Doctor stoppage) 5:00 R2
Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez def. Charles Rosa via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Women’s straweight: Tecia Torres def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Flyweight: Henry Cejudo def. Chico Camus via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight: Efrain Escudero def. Drew Dober via submission (Guillotine choke) 0:54 R1
Bantamweight: Patrick Williams def. Alejandro Perez via technical submission (Guillotine choke) 0:23 R1
Lightweight: Johnny Case def. Francisco Trevino via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight: Cathal Pendred def. Augusto Montano via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: Gabriel Benetiz def. Clay Collard via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC 188 will pit champion against champion as heavyweight kingpin Cain Velasquez (13-1) returns to the octagon for the first time since 2013, and will look to defend his title for the third time when he takes on the interim champion Fabricio Werdum (19-5-1).
Join us on The Roar from 12pm (AEST) for live round-by-round updates and commentary.
At 32 years of age, UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is widely considered the best heavyweight in mixed martial arts history.
With cardio that can out last welterweights, a world-class wrestling game and lightning fast kickboxing, many believe that the current ‘baddest man on the planet’ is unbeatable.
After avenging his only loss against former-champion Junior Dos Santos (17-3) twice, and violently disposing of Antonio Silva twice (18-7, 1NC), the first ever Mexican-American champion will be looking to enter the octagon in front of his hometown and put on yet another clinic for the fans.
Since returning to the UFC from Strikeforce in 2012, Fabricio Werdum has been on an absolute tear. Werdum is widely regarded as the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in MMA, and after he snapped Fedor Emelianenko’s (34-4, 1NC) legendary winning streak via a first-round triangle arm-bar it’s easy to see why.
Werdum is currently riding a five-fight streak, and after walking through Antonio Nogueira (34-9-1, 1NC), Travis Browne (17-3-1) and Mark Hunt (10-10-1) whom he knocked out with a flying knee to win the interim title, ‘Vai Cavalo’ has shown that he has all the tools necessary to dethrone the dominant Velasquez.
Prediction
Fabricio Werdum has an excellent ground game, but Cain Velasquez has a clear wrestling and stand-up advantage. If Velasquez can use his wrestling to neutralise Werdum’s jiu-jitsu, he should comfortably defend his belt via TKO in the fourth round.
Will Cain Velasquez continue his run as the baddest man on the planet, or can Fabricio Werdum take that title away from him. Join us on The Roar from 12pm (AEST) to find out.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined us on The Roar for this live blog, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Here are the full results of this one: Heavyweight championship bout: Fabricio Werdum def. Cain Velasquez via submission (Guillotine choke) 2:13 R3 to become the new UFC heavyweight champion of the world. Lightweight: Eddie Alvarez def. Gilbert Melendez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum def. Nate Marquardt via TKO (Doctor stoppage) 5:00 R2 Featherweight: Yair Rodriguez def. Charles Rosa via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Women’s straweight: Tecia Torres def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Flyweight: Henry Cejudo def. Chico Camus via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Lightweight: Efrain Escudero def. Drew Dober via submission (Guillotine choke) 0:54 R1 Bantamweight: Patrick Williams def. Alejandro Perez via technical submission (Guillotine choke) 0:23 R1 Lightweight: Johnny Case def. Francisco Trevino via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Welterweight: Cathal Pendred def. Augusto Montano via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Featherweight: Gabriel Benetiz def. Clay Collard via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
I have never seen Cain beaten like that before. Crazy.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Amazing performance by Werdum, just a master class by him. He beat Cain on the feet, and then he submitted him. Doesn't get much better than that!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
THE OFFICIAL DECISION: Fabricio Werdum def. Cain Velasquez via submission (Guillotine choke) 2:13 R3 to become the new UFC heavyweight champion of the world.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Fabricio Werdum has just shocked the entire world, in the best performance of his career.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Cain Velasquez vs (IC) #1 Fabricio Werdum – ROUND 3/5 Round three is underway and Velasquez may be in desperation mode. The doctor comes in, and Velasquez says he is okay. Velasquez still following him. Velasquez looking for a takedown and Werdum rolls him over and forces Cain to stand back up. Werdum wants Velasquez to come down into his guard, but Velasquez forces him to stand back up. Big head kick lands for Velasquez, and Werdum is looking for a guillotine now. Velasquez escapes, but Werdum lands a big knee. Velasquez throws a right and they break. Werdum lands another big right hand and Cain Velasquez goes for a takedown. Werdum gets a guillotine and Cain Velasquez taps right away! Wow! What a performance by Fabricio Werdum, first he submits Fedor, and now he submits Velasquez- WHAT A FINISH!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Cain Velasquez vs (IC) #1 Fabricio Werdum – ROUND 2/5 Both me are battered, as round two is underway. Leg kick lands for Velasquez. Inside leg kick lands for Velasquez. Werdum lands some good jabs. Right hand lands for Werdum as he looks to spin. Inside leg kick lands for Velasquez. Good one-two lands for Werdum. Werdum lands again on that exchange, and both men exchange kicks. A good uppercut lands for Werdum, Velasquez lands a good right hand. Another good leg kick for Velasquez. Werdum catches the leg kick, but can't take Cain down. Velasquez lands a good body kick. A beautiful combination lands for Werdum, and Velasquez his hurt! Werdum pushing forward now and Cain does well to hold his own and escape. Both men look very tired. Velasquez lands a good jab, both men trade and eat are shots. Leg kick lands for Velasquez and Werdum lands an uppercut, followed by a hard hook and knee down the middle that hurt Cain! Good jab lands for Velasquez, and another good combination lands for Werdum, and Cain looks hurt! Inside leg quick lands for Cain, but he looks hurt! Some good shots land for Velasquez and Werdum comes back with three big combinations of his own! Cain is hurt after another big right hand. Werdum lands a big uppercut on Velasquez and he is hurt bad! Werdum teeing off now, and Velasquez is bloodied up and hurt bad! Velasquez is saved by the bell! Wow! My score: 10-9 Werdum Overall score: 20-19 Werdum
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
(C) Cain Velasquez vs (IC) #1 Fabricio Werdum – ROUND 1/5 Round one of this title fight is underway. Velasquez with a leg kick early, both men swinging early. Cain lands an overhand right. Werdum on the fence, and he is looking to hold on to Cain. Both men land knees, but Velasquez with the better shots. Cain is cut in his left eye, Werdum wants to clinch and Cain gets the takedown. This is such a fast paced heavyweight bout. Velasquez gets up despite having side control, and he lands some leg kicks when Werdum stands. Good jab lands for Werdum. Both men connect on the exchange, and Cain looking to get some dirty boxing in with Werdum on the fence. Werdum gets Velasquez down but Cain gets back up. Werdum lands a good knee, and Velasquez has Werdum on the fence again. Werdum looking for underhooks, Velasquez breaks and he is looking to exchange standing up. Werdum looking for a flying knee, and Werdum lands two good jabs. Good shots land for Velasquez, and Werdum looks tired. Both men are connected, Werdum lands two good uppercuts and a big rights hand. Velasquez gets him down and once again wants nothing to do with Werdum on the ground. Werdum lands a good kick to the body, and Velasquez goes high. Both men land good shots, and Werdum lands an inside leg kick to end the round. Very close round, and Cain is bloodied up. Too close of a round for me to call. My score: 10-10 (Draw) Overall score: 10-10 (Draw)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Bruce Buffer with the introductions, we are moments away!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
The baddest man on the planet is inside the octagon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Here comes the champion, Cain Velasquez!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Vai Cavalo is in the octagon!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Fabricio Werdum, the interim champion, is making his way down to the octagon.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
The heavyweight champion of the world Cain Velasquez has finally returned after a two-year hiatus due to injury, and he will be looking to defend his belt in front of his home crowd. Velasquez in well on his way to being the greatest heavyweight fighter in MMA history, and there are many who believe that he already owns that title. His only loss came to Junior Dos Santos, a loss which he avenged twice in dominant performances against the Brazilian. On top of that, he has destroyed the likes of Ben Rothwell, and Anotnio Silva twice. Velasquez has the best wrestling and cardio in the game, and he will be looking to outwork Werdum and take him out.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Fighting out of the blue corner is the interim champion, Fabricio Werdum. Coming off an incredible knockout win over Mark Hunt to win the interim title in Mexico last year, Werdum returns to the country to take the belt once and for all. Riding a five-fight winning streak since returning to the UFC, Werdum has the best Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu in the heavyweight division. On top of that, he has dominated Mark Hunt, Travis Browne, Minotauro Nogueira, Mike Russo and Roy Nelson. He will be looking to add arguably the best heavyweight in the world, Cain Velasquez to that list.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
The champion, Cain Velasquez steps into the octagon in front of his home fans in Mexico to take on the interim champion, and dominant number one contender ’Vai Cavalo’ Fabricio Werdum.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Five rounds for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship of the world.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
It’s time for the main event!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Nice to see both men show respect to each other at the end of this one, but Melendez is not happy with the decision, and there will be a few other who feel the same way. I think it was fair, going round by round, which is how MMA is scored, I had it 29-28 Alvarez.