“It’s time for Brazil to take most of the titles back.”
As a Brazilian heading into a UFC title fight, Fabricio Werdum would certainly hope to be more optimistic than his countryman, former middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
In 2012, four Brazilians held UFC titles with Junior dos Santos at heavyweight, Silva at middleweight, Jose Aldo at featherweight and Renan Barao at 135 pounds. In 2014, only Aldo remains.
In October, Silva reflected on the shift away from Brazil’s shared dominance over the UFC’s titles.
“It’s natural. Brazilians forgot some things to focus more on other things. We forgot the evolution,” Silva said in a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “It’s important. I speak for myself. In my last two fights, I should have evolved more, but I didn’t follow this evolution.”
Now set to face Mark Hunt for the UFC’s interim heavyweight title with the withdrawal of champion Cain Velasquez, Werdum doesn’t share Silva’s opinion on the title landscape.
“I don’t really agree with that,” Werdum told FOX Sports. “Brazil, like Mexico, has some of the best fighters. There’s quantity and quality. A major contributor to the reason they don’t have titles is because they come from a humble background. They have to work to support their family and they cannot focus on just training.”
Had Aldo not successfully defended his title to Chad Mendes Oct. 25 at UFC 179, the United States would have secured a clean sweep of the promotion’s titles.
Aside from women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, each of the remaining six divisions are ruled by men with extensive amateur wrestling backgrounds.
“It’s very important to me, because I represent Brazil, I represent my city,” said Werdum. “I’m working for this title and I want to bring it back to Brazil. I’m sure I’m gonna get that belt.”
Werdum faces Hunt Nov. 15 for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 180 in Mexico City, Mexico.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Technique Talk. Michael ‘Venom’ Page goes from freestyle to ‘Six30’ kickboxing.
Just a couple retired guys. XFC wants to promote a bout between Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen in Brazil.
One down. Vitor Belfort was drug tested Saturday for the first time by the Nevada Athletic Commission ahead of his bout with Chris Weidman at UFC 184 in Los Angeles.
Hanging it up. While Ken Shamrock hasn’t called it quits, Randy Couture and Royce Gracie explain what led them to retirement.
Backing out. Titan FC CEO Jeff Aronson explains why Yoshiyuki Yoshida was released.
MEDIA STEW
Invicta FC 9 post-fight press conference.
Cat Zingano vs. haunted corn maze.
Great short motivational video featuring Fedor Emelianenko.
Cris Cyborg sort of explaining why she pulled out of her bantamweight debut at Invicta FC 10.
Luke Rockhold getting that last bit of work in.
TTTHS Halloween special.
Don’t ever prank Lorenz Larkin’s mom.
Long watches.
Submission Radio 2/11/14 Alistair Overeem, Nate Marquardt, Ricardo Lamas + UFC Fight Night 55
TWEETS
Good timing.
Weidman-Belfort = 120 days away Fight 1st announced = 100 days ago No. of times VB has been tested = 0 No. of times he’ll be tested = ???
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 1, 2014
For the record, won’t help him if he’s on everything under the sun, I’ll still be champ come March 1. What’s right is right tho.
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 1, 2014
Oh look the Brazilian keyboard warriors are back. Missed you guys. Sorry I keep getting matched up against your “idols”
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 1, 2014
I’m glad the right thing happened, hope it continues. Can’t wait for Feb 28th.
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 2, 2014
Damn.
What u don’t see. Bisping being his usual prick self, snapping on the camera man for doing his job as we square off. pic.twitter.com/rmbqKvTNfd
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) November 2, 2014
Ugh.
Here we go AGAIN … 13 days left to #Bellator131 and my opponent @TomDeBlass is out due to injury … http://t.co/EqueVmk1Vu
— King Mo (@KingMoFH) November 2, 2014
@kingmofh sometimes life throws unexpected things our way. Accidental headbutt did just that two weeks (cont) http://t.co/a89Kt2YaD6
— Tom DeBlass (@TomDeBlass) November 1, 2014
Picture of cut @KingMoFH pic.twitter.com/pab1jtAks2
— Tom DeBlass (@TomDeBlass) November 1, 2014
Everyone wants Wandy.
If this email is legit fuck yeah I’ll fight Wandy Silva NYE in Japan
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) October 31, 2014
Let the talks begin. #illtakeit @ NYE Japan Opponent http://t.co/HpMXDxBWcG
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) October 31, 2014
Stop hittin’ those keys, guys.
Filming.
filming for #UFC countdown today! @reebok http://t.co/l75tMiH00a pic.twitter.com/xGkST8sg1W
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) October 28, 2014
Filming a little of my training today for the @ufc crew http://t.co/y804VrqTDj pic.twitter.com/pnQGPcMnFU
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 30, 2014
Fishing today with my brother and nephew, being filmed by the UFC crew for road to the oct… http://t.co/WVi7H2dnCO pic.twitter.com/O3OymrcVjb
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) November 2, 2014
A few late entries. Check out our extensive Pros celebrating Halloween post for more.
My wife goes complete opposite of most girls for Halloween. http://t.co/t6NXednBQT pic.twitter.com/ACuRs5bsZC
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) November 2, 2014
Guess what movie we dressed up from? pic.twitter.com/hJl3gy5GQ0
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) November 2, 2014
From Friday http://t.co/VoTaMgsuPw
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) November 3, 2014
But, of course.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Oct. 31- Nov. 2 2014)
Alejandro Perez vs. Jose Quinonez at UFC 180
cancelled Tom DeBlass vs. Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 131
cancelled Cris Cyborg vs. TBA at Invicta 10
Michelle Waterson vs. Herica Tiburcio at Invicta 10
Vanessa Porto vs. Roxanne Modafferi at Invicta 10
Tonya Evinger vs. Cindy Dandois at Invicta 10
Pawe? Pawlak out, Dhiego Lima vs. Jorge Oliveira at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Saint Preux
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via MMAtylander.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE UFC HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
Until the UFC can take advantage of days like November 15, 2014, Cain Velasquez will continue to fall short of his potential drawing power as the UFC Heavyweight Champion
It has been known for some time and for several reasons that November 15, 2014 will be remembered as an important day in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The date will mark the UFC’s debut event in the long desired, potentially lucrative market of Mexico and will be held in the nation’s capital, Mexico City. UFC 180 will air live from the Mexico City Arena, a building capable of accommodating more than 20,000 fans.
It is the perfect opportunity to stage a pivotal bout between Mexican American superstar Cain Velasquez and Brazilian ace Fabricio Werdum, especially since both men are coming off a stint as competing coaches on the highly rated Ultimate Fighter: Latin America reality show and the contest would also see Velasquez seeking to defend his title an unprecedented 3rd time in a row. Achieving this in front of a Mexican crowd would be monumental for Velasquez’s career and would create a scenario that would allow the UFC to reap the benefits of a much needed blockbuster event and possibly kickoff a brand new boom period in another new market, something that would be a godsend to both the promotion and its fans after suffering through a disappointed 2014 plagued by various setbacks.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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