If you don’t know by now, it’s never a good idea to count out Fabricio Werdum. The man who dethroned Fedor Emelianenko pulled off yet another upset on Saturday night, outclassing Travis Browne to secure a lopsided unanimous decision win as a two-to-one underdog in UFC on FOX 11’s main event.
While Werdum was assumed to be the better grappler of the two, it was actually the striking game that carried the Brazilian to victory. Werdum asserted his jab from the opening bell, then proceeded to dismantle Browne in a big way, battering the Hawaiian with an array of heavy punches and kicks to earn himself a date with destiny against UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez later this year in Mexico.
Of course, Werdum will be counted out there too (a sentiment a few of our pros already took the liberty of starting below). But that, as they say, is why they play the games — because as we learned on June 26, 2010, anything can happen in this weird, wonderful sport of ours.
Heavyweights throwing wheel kicks now!? #UFConFOX11
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 20, 2014
Good friggin fight!!!
— Matt Serra (@MattSerraUFC) April 20, 2014
Coolest expression from @FabricioWerdum PAUSE “did you really try and kick my head?!” #UFC
— Germaine de Randamie (@IronLadyMMA) April 20, 2014
Two of my favorite big fellas … I’m just screaming at my tv and making baby noises
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) April 20, 2014
Man…Fabricio’s striking gets better and better. Excellent variety. Practically zero combos from Browne. Looking for KO too much.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) April 20, 2014
This is not the best @travisbrowneMMA we’ve seen. I hope he pulls this off. #UFConFOX11
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) April 20, 2014
Brown is tired
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) April 20, 2014
The fact that all hwt besides Cain, gas, pisses me off. You guys are PROS! Get in shape like it! This is why I rather watch 170 and lower!
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) April 20, 2014
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) April 20, 2014
I don’t think either guy has the gas tank to fight Velasquez.
— roland delorme UFC (@rolanddelorme1) April 20, 2014
Kkkkkkkk @FabricioWerdum is the Best funny watch those guys do battle… #VAICAVALO pic.twitter.com/x5OvRHoM6y
— Fabricio Camões (@fabriciocamoes) April 20, 2014
I wish I could simply rest my arms on the top of the cage. #short #hobbit #troll #UFConFOX11
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) April 20, 2014
Wow @FabricioWerdum just did a pop up in the middle of the cage. He is now the coolest heavy weight in the @ufc
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) April 20, 2014
Telling ya werdum is underrated.
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) April 20, 2014
Man Werdum looks great despite the layoff, completely negating Browne’s reach advantage
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) April 20, 2014
Werdum is the heavyweight anderson silva!!! :))
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) April 20, 2014
Werdum spring boarded back to his feet in the 3rd. That was about as awesome as it gets #UFConFOX11
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) April 20, 2014
Wow… Before this fight I wanted to see Browne vs Cain… After this I really can’t wait to see Werdum vs Cain @ufc #heavyweights
— AL IAQUINTA (@ALIAQUINTA) April 20, 2014
Well basically @cainmma will piss on Werdum…in about 2:38 of the first round #vivaMexico
— joey beltran (@mexicutioner760) April 20, 2014
I’m a big Travis Browne fan but that was all Werdum. I’m impressed by how he landed the better punches the entire fight. #UFConFOX
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 20, 2014
Werdum step jab & flick jab effective all night. Won the range battle. Impressive chin from Browne tho. Cain has a challenger. #UFConFOX
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) April 20, 2014
Werdum looked great tonight. Can’t wait to see him and Cain #UFConFOX11
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) April 20, 2014
Good performance from werdum through all 5 rds. He outstruck Browne 50-45 Not a fan of the trash talking during the fight #ufconfox11
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) April 20, 2014
Wow…@FabricioWerdum looked amazing! Dominate performance @UFCONFOX
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) April 20, 2014
Great fight to end a great night!! @FabricioWerdum impressed a lot if people tonight. Congrats.
— Chris Holdsworth (@holdsworth135) April 20, 2014
I hated seeing @FabricioWerdum beat @travisbrowneMMA but let’s be honest @cainmma will destroy him. Different levels. #UFConFOX11
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) April 20, 2014
Meus Parabéns ao Werdum, mostrou evolução e superioridade total. My Congrats to Werdum he showed progress and overall superiority.
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) April 20, 2014
CUPCAKE FINALLY GETS ONE
Sheeesh! Carmouche thugged it out like a boss defending that choke! What a warrior! @UFCONFOX
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) April 20, 2014
I’m saying Tate but it’s really too close to tell.
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) April 20, 2014
Meisha gets the UD win 29-28 but if she fights me like that she’s going to have a rough night #ufconfox11
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) April 20, 2014
Wow that was close Liz is tough ladies and gentlemen @ufc 👏👏👏 great fight girls.
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) April 20, 2014
Man these lioness are going at it #UFConFOX11
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 20, 2014
What the actual fuck. That was a robbery :/
— sarah dalelio (@sarahdalelio) April 20, 2014
Females are so tough & exciting, true definition of heart! #UFConFOX11 has been a great night of fights! @JuryJJ @ufc
— Myles Jury (@FuryJury) April 20, 2014
Robbery 😳
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) April 20, 2014
I had Liz 29-28
— Clint Hester (@clinthester) April 20, 2014
@iamgirlrilla congratulations for a great performance tonight. I really thought the first 2 rounds were yours.
— Jessica Andrade (@JessicaMMApro) April 20, 2014
Wasn’t expecting that! #UFConFOX11
— Dylan Andrews (@dylanthevillian) April 20, 2014
Congrats @MieshaTate and @iamgirlrilla for a great fight!
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) April 20, 2014
Wooooooo congrats @MieshaTate. Way to show grit and finish strong. #TUF18 #TeamTate
— Chris Holdsworth (@holdsworth135) April 20, 2014
So… What did you think of that decision? @ufc @danawhite
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) April 20, 2014
My hats off to @iamgirlrilla holy hell she’s tough. Im super happy 2 have my 1st @UFC victory come 2 my after party! pic.twitter.com/xGzpMxktQh
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) April 20, 2014
JUST NAME A BONUS AFTER THIS GUY ALREADY
OH MY FUCKING GOD!!! @Cowboycerrone you make me scream and cry every fight. Love you so much and so proud you are my brother, win or lose.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) April 20, 2014
Wow @Cowboycerrone just made this crowd erupt, that will be another bonus for him
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) April 20, 2014
Cowboy!!!
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 20, 2014
Fuck Yeah!!!!! @Cowboycerrone #UFConFOX11 that was scary though. 😅
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) April 20, 2014
That’s my boy @Cowboycerrone!!!! The last few!
— Leonard Garcia (@badboygarcia) April 20, 2014
Wow!!! @Cowboycerrone for the comeback. Jab and an RNC…
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) April 20, 2014
So jabs DO work!!
— Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) April 20, 2014
Holy shit @Cowboycerrone
— Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) April 20, 2014
Holy Fucking crazy! Stiff jab! That fight lived up to the billing!
— MIKE RICHMAN (@MikeUSMCRichman) April 20, 2014
Congrats to my team mate and friend @Cowboycerrone I was screaming at the tv on the treadmill
— Ike Vallie-Flagg (@IKEVF) April 20, 2014
Awesome finish for Cowboy! Slick how he took the back and sunk the choke! #UFConFOX
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 20, 2014
Unbelievable! I thought the fight was going to run like was going. MMA like life, stuffs happens that we really don’t expect @EdsonBarbozaJR
— Gesias JZ Cavalcante (@Gesias) April 20, 2014
Wow! Nice finishing instincts! #ufc #ufconfox http://t.co/8OanwhnJQP
— Sean Pierson (@seanpierson) April 20, 2014
Holy shit was that a jab???
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) April 20, 2014
Ahh man Donald effin Cerone! Lets go Cowboy!! Tough SOB, now u can go wakeboarding! @UFCONFOX @ufc
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) April 20, 2014
Literally just jumped up from my seat with the @Cowboycerrone fight. So happy for him! So proud!
— Holly Holm (@_HOLLYHOLM) April 20, 2014
Holy momentum swing #UFConFOX11
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) April 20, 2014
Barboza gonna be mad as fuck. #ThatstraightLeft
— Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) April 20, 2014
Fight nights are the best you guys….. pic.twitter.com/Q1TiyUCjUs
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) April 20, 2014
In the next 5 min @Cowboycerrone will spend $100k online buying dirt bikes, guns, snow mobiles, and trucks, then beg @danawhite for a fight
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) April 20, 2014
EVERY DAY I’M RAGDOLLIN’
Definitely just became a #Romero fan, what a freak ##UFConFOX11
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 20, 2014
Wow.. Yoel Romero. His level of improvement is astonishing.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) April 20, 2014
Lots of blood… Flowing down the side of his face instead of into his eyes. Must be nice. #UFConFOX
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 20, 2014
Yoel Romero has to be the most explosive 36 year old on planet earth!? #UFConFOX11 @ufc @UFCONFOX
— Akira Corassani (@AkiraCorassani) April 20, 2014
Great work by @YoelRomeroMMA that guy us a monster! Love the John 3:16 headband!
— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) April 20, 2014
Like Yoel Romero. Wrestlers are the most adaptable toughest athletes yes I just said it ha.. Great card so … http://t.co/F24KIAQ6Ap
— Justin Salas (@justinsalasmma) April 20, 2014
That was Romeros most impressive performance so far. Great job still by Tavares
— Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) April 20, 2014
Incredible wrestling dictated that whole fight for Romero 30-27 #ufconfox11
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) April 20, 2014
Only 1 guy out there to train with if you’re fighting Romero…. that’s @Latifimma
— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) April 20, 2014
Fantastic control by #Romero @UFCONFOX
— Igor Pokrajac UFC (@igorpokrajac) April 20, 2014
Proud of my brother @BradTavares he fought to the end and showed his heart. Just a bump in the journey, and he’ll be back stronger!!!
— Brenson Hansen (@BrensonHansen) April 20, 2014
Like Yoel Romero. Wrestlers are the most adaptable toughest athletes yes I just said it ha.. Great card so … http://t.co/F24KIAQ6Ap
— Justin Salas (@justinsalasmma) April 20, 2014
Brotha @BradTavares showed heart tho, definitely no “quit” with that guy
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) April 20, 2014
Sorry guys, romero was the better man tonight. But I PROMISE you I’ll be back stronger!!! Thank you all, for all the kind words and support!
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) April 20, 2014
Good fight man @BradTavares
— Yoel Romero (@YoelRomeroMMA) April 20, 2014
SOAR EAGLE, SOAR
. @TeamKhabib that was pure domination man. Congrats. Already looking forward to your next one. #ufconfox11
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) April 19, 2014
@TeamKhabib impressive win buddy. Dominant!
— Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) April 19, 2014
Damn Nuggetmedov is just too good for RDA tn. He had nothing for him. #UFConFOX11 @ufc. But what happens w/his title shot? Does he wait??
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) April 19, 2014
Anybody know a good bear guy? Gotta try it if it made Khabib that nice #UFConFOX11
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) April 19, 2014
Again great fight from @TeamKhabib , congrats on big win!!!
— Igor Pokrajac UFC (@igorpokrajac) April 19, 2014
The Eagle is running a MMA takedown and throws tutorial on TV! #UFConFOX11 @ufc @UFCONFOX
— Akira Corassani (@AkiraCorassani) April 19, 2014
Congrats to brother from a different mother-land @TeamKhabib on an another amazing performance! #FutureChamp
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) April 20, 2014
Khabib is a tank. I’m impressed by the consistent aggressive pressure he brings every second of every round. #UFConFOX
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 19, 2014
Thanks to all of my family at AKA for working with me for this fight. I love you guys. @LukeRockhold @akajav @AKA_HQ @dc_mma @THEREALPUNK
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) April 20, 2014
PITBULL’S GLORIOUS RETURN
Man excellent first round for the pitbull.. Dude isn’t missing a beat #UFConFOX11
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 19, 2014
@ThiagoAlvesATT killing with the leg kick. Was a great round for Seth and Pit took the round with kicks, pressure and timing
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) April 19, 2014
Both bleeding after rd 2 but Alves clearly did more damage both to seth’s face and left leg. 20-18 Alves #ufcfightnight
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) April 19, 2014
Damn what a fight rn #ufconfox
— Clint Hester (@clinthester) April 19, 2014
@Sethbmma looks like @Cowboycerrone ‘s older brother.. @UFC
— Colton Smith (@ColtonSmithMMA) April 19, 2014
Great Fight! #ALDOKICKS Who is watching UFC tonight ? QUem esta assistindo ao UFC? http://t.co/hlwPEe9WX8
— Jose ‘Scarface’ Aldo (@josealdojunior) April 19, 2014
Holy eff balls what a fight!! #UFC
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) April 19, 2014
These 2 are gettin it! How tough is Seth??? Wow
— Ike Vallie-Flagg (@IKEVF) April 19, 2014
Surprise he didn’t use that jab earlier with the reach! Great fight! Seth’s leg will be sore tonight! Way to be Pit #attnation
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) April 19, 2014
This fight is great to watch….as real as it gets #ufc #UFConFOX @ufc
— Igor Pokrajac UFC (@igorpokrajac) April 19, 2014
Love the @ThiagoAlvesATT and @Sethbmma fight! Pay those warriors @danawhite #FOTN
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) April 19, 2014
Atta boy @Sethbmma you’re one tough SOB
— Court McGee (@Court_McGee) April 19, 2014
It’s great to see @ThiagoAlvesATT back to what he does best 👍 as a friend and as a fan 😜
— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) April 19, 2014
Good shit @ThiagoAlvesATT! Congrats on a successful return. Nice leg kicks
— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) April 19, 2014
Great to see Alves come back and get a big win after all those injuries and hard times he’s had!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) April 19, 2014
Im so proud of @ThiagoAlvesATT I could cry harder than the times @MirsadBekticMMA beat me down. I love you brotha!
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) April 19, 2014
Great to see Thiago Alves back 🙌
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) April 19, 2014
Thank you to all my family, friends, coaches & training partners, congrats to @TiagoAlves… Welcome back!
— Seth Baczynski (@Sethbmma) April 20, 2014