With the recent banter between heavyweights Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) vs. Brendan Schaub (8-2), each looking for a matchup with the other at a future UFC event.
A recent interview given by Werdum’s trainer, Master Rafael Cordeiro of Kings MMA, shows that the submission specialist is taking the fight very seriously.
Cordeiro, who was cornering Mark Munoz at this past weekends UFC 138 event, was interviewed after the event and was asked about what other matches he’s preparing fighters for.
In reply, Cordeiro talked about the Nov. 19 match between Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le at UFC 139, a fight for Jake Ellenberger in the New Year, and a probable Dec. 30 match between Werdum vs. Schaub.
In the video, found at THIS LINK, Cordeiro offers his reply at 1:50 of the video.
“Wanderlei Silva going to fight against Cung Le. After that, Fabricio Werdum is going to fight against, maybe Brendan Schaub December 30, and then Jake Ellenberger next year.”
Despite Cordeiro saying “maybe” to the Werdum vs. Schaub fight, it does say something when his camp is looking at the preparations for December 30, which is the date UFC 141 is scheduled.
UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem is scheduled for Dec. 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Werdum is coming off a loss to Alistair Overeem in the opening round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix last June, ending a three fight win streak for the ADCC champ. Previous to the loss, Werdum earned the “Upset of the Year” for his submission win over Fedor Emelianenko in June of 2010.
Schaub would also enter this fight on a loss, having been KO’d spectacularly by Antonoio Rodrigo Nogueira last August in Brazil at UFC 134. That loss ended a four fight win streak for ‘The Hybrid’ who earned stoppages in three of those four victories.