JDS: Werdum is ‘excellent on the ground’, but ‘I don’t see him taking Miocic down’

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos’ believes Stipe Miocic will be able to stuff takedowns and outstrike Fabricio Werdum in the UFC 198 main event.

Junior dos Santos is just 3 weeks away from an important UFC main event in Zagreb, Croatia. The former heavyweight champion is coming off a devastating knockout loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC on FOX 17, which set him back considerably in his quest to become champion again.

At UFC 198 on May 14th, the current heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum, will make his first defense of the belt against Stipe Miocic. JDS holds wins over both men, although the Werdum of 2008 is unquestionably not the one who dispatched Cain Velasquez last year. In an interview with MMA Fighting, dos Santos analyzed the fight and why he thinks Miocic has the edge against the champ.

“Werdum has evolved a lot, he impressed in the few times he fought. He has evolved a lot,” dos Santos said. “His ground game is the best in the heavyweight division, no question about it. He has what it takes to keep the belt for a good time, but he’s facing a tough opponent next. Miocic has that knockout punch. I was completely dizzy a few moments when we fought. He has that punch, and his stand-up is more complete and better than Werdum’s.

“I don’t see how… Werdum is excellent on the ground, but I don’t see him taking anyone down. If the fight stays standing, I see Miocic as the favorite. If it goes to the ground, it’s going to be fast. But I see Miocic as the favorite standing. Comparing their qualities, I don’t see Werdum taking him down, so it’s going to be a stand-up fight and Miocic has an advantage.”

Meanwhile, dos Santos will take on Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 86 on Sunday, April 10th. The night’s main card will air live on Fox Sports 1.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos’ believes Stipe Miocic will be able to stuff takedowns and outstrike Fabricio Werdum in the UFC 198 main event.

Junior dos Santos is just 3 weeks away from an important UFC main event in Zagreb, Croatia. The former heavyweight champion is coming off a devastating knockout loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC on FOX 17, which set him back considerably in his quest to become champion again.

At UFC 198 on May 14th, the current heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum, will make his first defense of the belt against Stipe Miocic. JDS holds wins over both men, although the Werdum of 2008 is unquestionably not the one who dispatched Cain Velasquez last year. In an interview with MMA Fighting, dos Santos analyzed the fight and why he thinks Miocic has the edge against the champ.

“Werdum has evolved a lot, he impressed in the few times he fought. He has evolved a lot,” dos Santos said. “His ground game is the best in the heavyweight division, no question about it. He has what it takes to keep the belt for a good time, but he’s facing a tough opponent next. Miocic has that knockout punch. I was completely dizzy a few moments when we fought. He has that punch, and his stand-up is more complete and better than Werdum’s.

“I don’t see how… Werdum is excellent on the ground, but I don’t see him taking anyone down. If the fight stays standing, I see Miocic as the favorite. If it goes to the ground, it’s going to be fast. But I see Miocic as the favorite standing. Comparing their qualities, I don’t see Werdum taking him down, so it’s going to be a stand-up fight and Miocic has an advantage.”

Meanwhile, dos Santos will take on Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 86 on Sunday, April 10th. The night’s main card will air live on Fox Sports 1.