That escalated quickly.
Former Ultimate Fighting ChampionshIp (UFC) heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, who was expected to tangle with “Big” Ben Rothwell at the upcoming UFC 203 pay-per-view (PPV) event, which takes place tomorrow night (Sat., Sept. 10, 2016) in Cleveland, Ohio, will instead rematch division contender Travis Browne.
And things got a little heated during their UFC 203 press conference staredown.
“I will break your face, bastard,” Werdum told Browne (transcribed by MMA Fighting). “I’ll break your rib, clown. You know I will break you. You know I will break you. You know that.”
Werdum defeated Browne via unanimous decision at UFC on FOX 11 back in April 2014, snapping a three-fight win streak and dousing the hulking Hawaiian’s championship aspirations in the process. “Via Cavalo” would go on to win the interim division title and then unify it in his next bout with a submission of Cain Velasquez at UFC 188 in June 2015, only to lose it earlier this year courtesy of Stipe Miocic’s heavy hands at UFC 198.
Browne, meanwhile, has alternated wins and losses (2-2) since his defeat to Werdum, most recently suffering a technical knockout loss to the aforementioned Velasquez at UFC 200 back in July. A loss to the Brazilian could spell doom for his future at heavyweight.
For a more in depth look at their UFC 203 showdown click here. To see who else is fighting at UFC 203 click here.