Fabricio Werdum compares UFC 188 to his upset of Fedor Emelianenko

MEXICO CITY — Fabricio Werdum knows he’s going to be the underdog when he steps into the Octagon on Saturday night against Cain Velasquez.

But forgive him if he’s not too worked up over his opponent going in as the favorite.

Werdum  has made a career out of big wins in situations few felt him capable. For one thing, the current UFC interim heavyweight champion authored one of the biggest upsets in MMA history when he ended Fedor Emelianenko’s decade of dominance in a 2010 Strikeforce bout.

So as the days wind toward UFC 188, Werdum harkens back to what, up to this point, remains his greatest triumph.

“When I fought against Fedor, no one picked me,” Werdum said at Wednesday’s UFC 188 open workouts. But then afterwards, they ask ‘Who is Fabricio Werdum?’ Underdog is good.”

Werdum, who enters the bout having won five straight and eight of nine — a run which includes the win over Emelianenko — says he’s ready one more time that he can silence his doubters.

“All the time I am the underdog,” Werdum said. “All the time. But when they say ‘Travis Browne will kill Werdum for sure,’ I kill him. When I fought Fedor Emelianenko, same thing. I submit him. I show one more time why I’m here.”

MEXICO CITY — Fabricio Werdum knows he’s going to be the underdog when he steps into the Octagon on Saturday night against Cain Velasquez.

But forgive him if he’s not too worked up over his opponent going in as the favorite.

Werdum  has made a career out of big wins in situations few felt him capable. For one thing, the current UFC interim heavyweight champion authored one of the biggest upsets in MMA history when he ended Fedor Emelianenko’s decade of dominance in a 2010 Strikeforce bout.

So as the days wind toward UFC 188, Werdum harkens back to what, up to this point, remains his greatest triumph.

“When I fought against Fedor, no one picked me,” Werdum said at Wednesday’s UFC 188 open workouts. But then afterwards, they ask ‘Who is Fabricio Werdum?’ Underdog is good.”

Werdum, who enters the bout having won five straight and eight of nine — a run which includes the win over Emelianenko — says he’s ready one more time that he can silence his doubters.

“All the time I am the underdog,” Werdum said. “All the time. But when they say ‘Travis Browne will kill Werdum for sure,’ I kill him. When I fought Fedor Emelianenko, same thing. I submit him. I show one more time why I’m here.”